Certified Public Accountant Course

Advanced Online CPA Preparation with an OHSC Level 5 Certificate

Develop advanced accounting knowledge through a flexible Certified Public Accountant Course designed for independent online study. The programme introduces important subject areas relevant to the US CPA examination, including auditing, financial reporting, taxation, regulation and the current CPA Discipline pathways.

Course access is free, allowing you to study the supplied learning materials without paying an enrolment fee. After completing the programme and satisfying its assessment requirements, you may request an optional OHSC Level 5 Certificate of Completion for an additional fee.

This is an independent preparatory course from Oxford Home Study Centre. It does not include entry to the Uniform CPA Examination, award Certified Public Accountant status or replace the education, examination and experience requirements established by US accountancy boards.

What Is a Certified Public Accountant?

A Certified Public Accountant, commonly known as a CPA, is an accounting professional licensed by a US state board of accountancy. CPAs may work in areas such as public accounting, audit, taxation, financial reporting, advisory services, corporate finance and regulatory compliance.

Becoming a CPA involves more than completing a preparatory course. Requirements vary between US jurisdictions but commonly include:

• Meeting specified education requirements
• Passing the Uniform CPA Examination
• Completing relevant professional experience
• Satisfying ethics or additional jurisdictional requirements
• Applying to the appropriate state board of accountancy

International learners should investigate the rules of the jurisdiction through which they intend to apply. Completing this course does not establish eligibility to sit the examination or obtain a CPA licence.

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy provides information about US CPA licensing and individual accountancy boards.

About This Online CPA Preparatory Course

This advanced programme is intended to strengthen knowledge across major areas associated with professional accounting and CPA study. It can help learners organise their understanding before moving to official examination blueprints, jurisdiction-specific eligibility checks and specialist exam-preparation resources.

The course is delivered online and can be studied at your own pace. There are no fixed classroom sessions, making it possible to organise study around existing professional, family or educational commitments.

You will work independently through the supplied materials and complete assessments designed to check your understanding of the topics covered. As financial reporting, auditing and taxation rules can change, learners preparing for an official examination must also consult the latest examination blueprints and authoritative technical materials.

If you need broader accounting education before beginning advanced preparation, explore OHSC’s range of online accounting courses.

Understanding the Current CPA Exam Structure

The current Uniform CPA Examination follows a Core-and-Discipline model. Candidates must pass three compulsory Core sections:

• Auditing and Attestation — AUD
• Financial Accounting and Reporting — FAR
• Taxation and Regulation — REG

Candidates must also choose one Discipline section:

• Business Analysis and Reporting — BAR
• Information Systems and Controls — ISC
• Tax Compliance and Planning — TCP

Business Environment and Concepts, previously known as BEC, is no longer a separate CPA Exam section. Relevant business, technology and analytical concepts are now incorporated across the Core and Discipline structure.

The official exam structure and blueprints can change. Anyone planning to sit the Uniform CPA Examination should check the latest information published by the AICPA and the requirements of their chosen jurisdiction.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, learners should be able to:

• Explain the current Core-and-Discipline structure of the Uniform CPA Examination
• Describe fundamental audit and attestation responsibilities
• Discuss how audit risks, internal controls and evidence affect an engagement
• Interpret the purpose and principal components of financial statements
• Apply selected financial accounting concepts to business transactions
• Explain introductory US federal taxation and business-law principles
• Distinguish between the BAR, ISC and TCP Discipline pathways
• Use accounting information to consider business performance and reporting issues
• Approach professional accounting scenarios with greater analytical awareness
• Identify where current authoritative guidance is needed before making a professional decision

These learning outcomes relate to the OHSC course. They do not confirm eligibility for the Uniform CPA Examination or professional competence as a licensed CPA.

Who Should Take This Course?

This programme may be suitable for:

• Accounting learners exploring the US CPA pathway
• Graduates seeking additional preparatory study
• Accounting employees developing broader technical knowledge
• International learners researching CPA-related subjects
• Bookkeepers moving towards more advanced accounting study
• Finance professionals reviewing auditing, reporting or taxation concepts
• Learners deciding whether formal CPA preparation is appropriate for them

The programme is open to all, but its advanced content is better suited to learners who already understand basic bookkeeping and accounting principles.

Beginners may wish to start with OHSC’s free online accounting courses before progressing to this course.

Study Method

The programme is completed online through independent study. After enrolment, learners can access the supplied materials and organise their own study schedule.

Self-paced study provides flexibility, but a 450-hour advanced course still requires planning and consistent effort. A practical approach is to:

1. Review the complete course structure
2. Set a realistic weekly study target
3. Work through one subject area at a time
4. Record concepts requiring further research
5. Complete the relevant assessment after studying each section
6. Revisit weaker areas before progressing
7. Compare course content with the latest official CPA Exam Blueprints

There are no fixed completion deadlines unless otherwise stated within your learner account.

Assessment

Learners complete online assessments to demonstrate their understanding of the course material. These assessments relate only to the OHSC programme and are separate from the Uniform CPA Examination.

Completing OHSC questions or assessments does not:

• Register a learner for the official examination
• Establish examination eligibility
• Provide credit towards CPA licensure
• Guarantee a passing CPA Exam score
• Replace official task-based simulations
• Satisfy state-specific education or experience requirements

The official examination is administered separately under the arrangements applicable to US CPA candidates.

OHSC Level 5 Certificate of Completion

The optional certificate is issued by Oxford Home Study Centre and records successful completion of this advanced preparatory programme.

“OHSC Level 5” is the college’s internal classification of the course’s study standard. It is not:

• An Ofqual-regulated Level 5 qualification
• A university degree or academic credit
• The Uniform CPA Examination
• An AICPA or NASBA award
• A state accountancy board credential
• A licence to practise as a Certified Public Accountant

The certificate should be described accurately on a CV or professional profile as an OHSC Certificate of Completion in CPA preparatory studies.

Does This Course Make You a CPA?

No. Completing this course does not make you a Certified Public Accountant.

CPA licences are issued by US state boards of accountancy. Although requirements vary, candidates generally need to meet specified education, examination and professional-experience conditions.

Before committing to an official CPA route, investigate:

• The jurisdiction through which you intend to apply
• Whether your education meets its requirements
• International transcript-evaluation arrangements
• Examination application procedures
• Required professional experience
• Ethics requirements
• Application and examination fees

Learners should obtain information directly from the relevant state board or official CPA examination organisations. OHSC cannot determine an individual’s eligibility or guarantee acceptance by a jurisdiction.

Using This Course for CPA Preparation

This course can help you build and organise subject knowledge, but it should form only one part of a wider preparation plan.

Prospective candidates should also:

• Read the current official CPA Exam Blueprints
• Check their jurisdiction’s eligibility requirements
• Use current US accounting, auditing and taxation materials
• Practise official-style multiple-choice questions
• Develop experience with task-based simulations
• Monitor changes to accounting standards, legislation and examination coverage
• Select and prepare for one Discipline section
• Confirm examination arrangements through official channels

No preparatory provider can guarantee that a learner will pass the CPA Exam.

Related Accounting Study Options

If you are comparing professional and academic routes, read the OHSC guide explaining the difference between accounting and finance.

You can also explore the complete range of accounting and finance courses online before choosing a programme suited to your current knowledge and intended direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Certified Public Accountant Course free?

Yes. Enrolment and access to the online learning materials are free. An optional OHSC Level 5 Certificate of Completion is available separately for a fee.

Does this course award CPA certification?

No. It is an independent preparatory course and does not award CPA certification, professional status or a licence. CPA licences are issued by US state boards of accountancy after candidates meet the relevant requirements.

Is the OHSC certificate a regulated Level 5 qualification?

No. Level 5 is OHSC’s internal classification of the programme’s study standard. The college-issued completion certificate is not an Ofqual-regulated qualification.

Does the course cover the current CPA Exam?

The course introduces the three Core areas—AUD, FAR and REG—and the BAR, ISC and TCP Discipline pathways. Candidates must also use the latest official CPA Exam Blueprints and current specialist preparation materials.

What happened to the BEC section?

Business Environment and Concepts is no longer a separate CPA Exam section. Under the current model, candidates complete AUD, FAR and REG before choosing BAR, ISC or TCP as their Discipline section.

Can international learners enrol?

Yes. Online course enrolment is open internationally. However, CPA examination and licensing eligibility depend on the requirements of the relevant US jurisdiction.

Does OHSC arrange the official CPA examination?

No. Examination applications, eligibility decisions, fees and testing arrangements are handled separately through the relevant official organisations.

How long does the course take?

The estimated study duration is 450 hours. As the course is self-paced, the actual completion time depends on the learner’s schedule, existing knowledge and study pace.

Will the course help me get an accounting job?

The programme can support knowledge development, but OHSC cannot guarantee employment, promotion, professional recognition or a particular salary. Employers assess qualifications, experience, technical ability and the requirements of individual roles.

How should I describe the certificate on my CV?

Use the precise certificate title and issuer, such as “OHSC Level 5 Certificate of Completion in CPA Preparatory Studies — Oxford Home Study Centre”. Do not describe it as a CPA licence or regulated professional qualification.

Begin Your CPA Preparatory Study

This course offers a flexible way to examine advanced accounting subjects and understand the present CPA Exam structure before deciding on your next step.

Enrolment and learning materials are free. If you complete the course successfully, you can choose whether to purchase an OHSC Level 5 Certificate of Completion.

Enrol in the Certified Public Accountant Course