This student from SIMANDHAR awarded CPA world topper – out of 74,000 students in the world

Wed Jun 11 2025

When only 11 people in the world manage to do what over 74,000 attempted, you know it’s a big deal.

And what makes it even more special?
One of those 11 global CPA toppers is from India. From Delhi. From Simandhar Education.

Meet Ujjwal Ahluwalia – a B.Com graduate from Delhi University, a qualified Chartered Accountant, and now officially one of the top CPA performers in the world. Recognized with the prestigiousElijah Watt Sells Award by the AICPA and NASBA, Ujjwal didn’t just clear the CPA Exam—he crushed it.

What Is the Elijah Watt Sells Award?

The Elijah Watt Sells Award is not your regular “good performance” medal.

Established in 1923 by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the award honours the top-performing CPA candidates each year—those who show exceptional technical knowledge, discipline, and professional excellence.

Here’s what it takes to win this award:

A cumulative average score above 95.50 out of 99 across all four CPA exam sections
Clear all four sections on the first attempt

Out of 74,000+ candidates globally, only 11 made the cut in 2024.

And yes, Ujjwal Ahluwalia is one of them.

Check out the full podcast with US CPA World Topper:

From Delhi University to Global Recognition

Ujjwal's journey began in Delhi, where he pursued his Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) at the University of Delhi. Like many Indian commerce students, he aimed for Chartered Accountancy and cleared it with flying colours.

But Ujjwal wasn’t done yet.

He had a bigger vision—a global one.

That’s when he decided to pursue the US CPA (Certified Public Accountant) credential, known as the U.S. equivalent of Chartered Accountancy, and widely recognized by multinational companies and Big 4 firms around the world.Why Simandhar?

Ujjwal choose Simandhar Education, India’s most trusted CPA training platform, for one reason: real mentorship.

He enrolled in Simandhar’s live classes, followed the structured Becker-backed course content, and more importantly—attended the lectures of Simandhar Co-founder,Sripal Jain, who personally taught him FAR (Financial Accounting and Reporting).“

This isn't just Becker. Ujjwal studied directly under me and the Simandhar team. And today, seeing him win this award is not just proud—it's emotional,” says Sripal Jain.

From Classroom to Career – Simandhar Also Placed Him at AMEX

The story doesn’t end with just a certificate.

Simandhar Education not only trained Ujjwal—they also placed him.

Today, Ujjwal is employed at American Express (AMEX) in Gurugram, a dream destination for any finance professional. With a solid package above 10 LPA —a well-deserved reward for his knowledge and discipline.

This is the Simandhar advantage:

World-class training
Personalized mentorship
Career-focused placement support
24*7 support through Simandhar AI

What Is CPA and Why Does It Matter?

If you’re wondering what makes the US CPA so prestigious, here’s a quick snapshot:

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is the highest credential in accounting in the United States. Regulated by the AICPA and administered by NASBA, the CPA exam is now available for Indian students to take from within India—making global careers more accessible than ever before.

The updated CPA Evolution model (applicable from 2024) has introduced a more modern, skill-focused exam structure.

The Exam Now Includes:

FAR – Financial Accounting and Reporting
AUD – Auditing and Attestation
REG – Regulation
One Discipline Section (Choose Any One):

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

This new model allows CPA aspirants to build depth in their area of interest, making the certification more aligned with evolving industry roles.

It’s tough, yes—but not impossible. Ujjwal Ahluwalia proved that by scoring a cumulative average above 95.5 across all four sections on his first attempt—a feat achieved by only 11 people globally last year.

Ujjwal’s Exact Scores – A Benchmark of Excellence:

FAR – 99
BEC – 97 (now replaced with a Discipline section under CPA Evolution)
REG – 95
AUD – 93

Scoring like this, across all papers, on the first attempt, is what sets Ujjwal apart and earned him the Elijah Watt Sells Award. He didn’t just clear the CPA exam — he mastered it.

A Moment of National Pride

Let’s take a second to step back and absorb this:

Over 74,000 CPA candidates appeared globally
Only 11 made it to the Elijah Watt Sells list
And one of them is from India
A Simandhar Education alumnus
Now working at AMEX, one of the world’s top companies

This isn’t just an academic achievement. It’s a moment of inspiration for thousands of Indian students wondering if they can make it to the global stage.

Your CPA Dream Starts Here

All you need is a Bachelor degree like B.Com, BBA or others —and the right mentor.

Just like Ujjwal, you can start your CPA journey with Simandhar Education today.

Call Us today for free career counselling: +91 7780273388 and do visit our Website: www.simandhareducation.com
Email: info@simandhareducation.com

Final Words

“Ujjwal has set the benchmark. He’s not just passed an exam—he’s made a mark on the world. And more importantly, he’s shown that with the right guidance and hard work, Indian students can dominate on the global stage.”
— Sripal Jain, Co-founder, Simandhar EducationFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is Ujjwal Ahluwalia and what is his achievement?

Ujjwal Ahluwalia is a B. Com graduate from Delhi University, a Chartered Accountant, and an alumnus of Simandhar Education. He is one of only 11 candidates globally to receive the Elijah Watt Sells Award in 2025 for his exceptional performance in the US CPA Exam—scoring above 95.5 average across all four papers on his first attempt.

2. What is the Elijah Watt Sells Award?

It’s a prestigious award given by the AICPA (American Institute of CPAs) to top-performing CPA candidates who:

Score above 95.50 (average) out of 99
Clear all four sections of the CPA exam on their first attempt

3. What is the new CPA Exam structure under the CPA Evolution Model?

As of 2024, the CPA Exam includes:

3 Core Sections:

FAR (Financial Accounting and Reporting)
AUD (Auditing and Attestation)
REG (Regulation)

1 Discipline Section (Choose any one):

BAR (Business Analysis and Reporting)
ISC (Information Systems and Controls)
TCP (Tax Compliance and Planning)

4. What is CPA and how is it different from CA (Chartered Accountancy) in India?

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is the US equivalent of a Chartered Accountant, but globally recognized—especially valued by MNCs, Big 4 firms, and US-based companies.
While CA is regulated by ICAI in India, CPA is governed by AICPA and NASBA in the US. CPA focuses more on US GAAP, US Taxation, and IFRS, and offers global mobility.

5. Who can pursue the CPA course in India?

Students with the following qualifications are typically eligible:

Any bachelor degree
B. Com + M. Com
B. Com + CA (IPCC or Final)
B. Com + MBA (Finance/Accounting)
Chartered Accountants (CA)
Professionals working in Audit, Finance, or Taxation

Simandhar Education helps with eligibility evaluation, NTS processing, and guidance for every step to get free career counselling call us today at: +91 7780273388

6. Is CPA exam testing available in India?

Yes. You can now take the CPA Exam at Prometric centers across India, including Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Trivandrum and Bangalore

7. What is the salary range after completing CPA in India?

CPA professionals in India typically earn between ₹12 LPA to ₹25+ LPA, depending on experience, role, and company.

8. What is Simandhar Education’s role in Ujjwal’s journey?

Simandhar Education provided Ujjwal with:

Live interactive classes along with recorded sessions
Personal mentorship from Sripal Jain himself
Comprehensive training with Becker materials
100% Placement support
24*7 support through Simandhar AI
Personalised mentorship
Simandhar LMS + Becker LMS