Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

CAW Network USA is the professional community for internationally qualified Chartered Accountants and Canadian CPAs living and working in the United States. Below are answers to the questions we are asked most often about working, qualifying and networking as a chartered accountant in the USA. Reciprocity and licensure rules change — where a date is given, verify the current position with NASBA or the relevant state board of accountancy.

Working & recognition

Can a chartered accountant work in the USA?

Yes. Internationally qualified chartered accountants work throughout the United States in industry, commerce, banking, consulting and public practice. For most corporate and finance roles — controller, FP&A, finance director, internal audit, advisory — no US licence is required; employers value the ACA, CA, CA(SA), CA ANZ, ISCA or Canadian CPA qualification directly. A US CPA licence is required only to sign audit opinions, issue attestation reports, or file certain documents with the SEC and state regulators as a licensed public accountant.

Do I need a US CPA to work as an accountant in America?

Not for most jobs. You do not need a CPA licence to work in corporate accounting, financial planning and analysis, treasury, consulting or industry roles. You do need a US CPA licence to practise public accounting in your own name, sign audit or attest reports, or represent yourself as a Certified Public Accountant. Many chartered accountants build successful US careers without ever becoming a CPA; others pursue the CPA to unlock public-practice and signing rights.

Is a chartered accountant the same as a CPA?

They are professionally equivalent but not legally interchangeable. A Chartered Accountant (CA/ACA/CA(SA)/CA ANZ) and a US Certified Public Accountant (CPA) are both fully qualified professional accountants, but the CPA is the licensed designation recognised by US state boards for public practice. Whether your chartered qualification counts toward US CPA licensure is determined body-by-body by the International Qualifications Appraisal Board (IQAB), a joint AICPA–NASBA committee, through Mutual Recognition Agreements.

Becoming a US CPA

How does a chartered accountant become a US CPA?

There are two routes, depending on your professional body:

• Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) + IQEX: if your body holds an active MRA with the US (via IQAB), you can qualify by passing the International Qualification Examination (IQEX) — a single exam — then meeting a state board’s education, experience and ethics requirements.
• Full Uniform CPA Examination: if your body has no MRA (for example ICAEW or ISCA), you apply to a US state board as an international candidate, have your credentials evaluated, and sit the full four-section Uniform CPA Exam.

Which chartered accountancy bodies have a US Mutual Recognition Agreement?

As of July 2026, the bodies with an IQAB Mutual Recognition Agreement whose members may use the IQEX route include Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), Chartered Accountants Ireland, CPA Canada, and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA, agreement renewed effective 27 January 2026 through 30 June 2031). The ICAS agreement lapsed on 31 August 2024 and its status should be checked with NASBA. ICAEW and ISCA do not currently have a US MRA, so their members take the full Uniform CPA Exam. Always confirm the current list and effective dates on the NASBA MRA page.

What is the IQEX exam?

IQEX (the International Qualification Examination) is a single examination administered by NASBA and the AICPA for eligible members of bodies that hold a US Mutual Recognition Agreement. It mirrors the Regulation (REG) section of the Uniform CPA Exam, covering US taxation, business law and professional ethics. Passing IQEX, together with a state board’s licensing requirements, leads to a US CPA licence. See our IQEX resources for eligibility and preparation.

Is the ACA (ICAEW) recognised in the United States?

The ICAEW ACA is highly respected by US employers, but ICAEW does not currently hold a Mutual Recognition Agreement with the US. ICAEW members therefore cannot use the IQEX shortcut; to become a US CPA they apply to a state board as an international candidate, have their qualification evaluated, and sit the full Uniform CPA Exam. For non-licensed industry and advisory roles, the ACA is recognised on its own merits.

Membership

Who can join CAW Network USA?

Membership is open to members of the chartered accountancy institutes in the Chartered Accountants Worldwide network who live or work in the United States (and, since 2023, Canada and the Caribbean). Members of the five funding institutes — CA ANZ, Chartered Accountants Ireland, ICAEW, ICAS and SAICA — join free. Members of other recognised bodies, including CPA Canada and ISCA, can join as Associates for US$60 per year.

How much does CAW Network USA membership cost?

Membership is free for members of the five funding institutes (CA ANZ, Chartered Accountants Ireland, ICAEW, ICAS, SAICA) resident in the USA. Associate membership, for members of other approved professional bodies such as CPA Canada and ISCA, is US$60 per year. Join CAW Network USA here.

What are the benefits of joining?

Members get access to a nationwide network of chartered accountants through local chapters in cities across the USA, CPE-eligible events and webinars, guidance on US CPA licensure and reciprocity, a members’ job board, and connections to peers who have made the same international move. See full membership details.

Where does CAW Network USA have chapters?

CAW Network USA runs local chapters in major metropolitan areas including New York, Chicago, Southern California, Northern California, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver, Washington DC Metro, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New England, the Pacific Northwest, Florida (Southern, Northern, Tampa Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville), Austin, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Arizona, Utah and Hawaii, plus Bermuda, Cayman and Canadian chapters (Toronto, Vancouver). Find your local chapter.

Still have a question?

If your question isn’t answered here, contact CAW Network USA and a member of the team will help.