Chartered Accountancy is one of the most prestigious professions in the commerce industry. With over 7 lakh students currently pursuing the CA course, we can say that it is one of the most flourishing career prospects for students.
CA (Chartered Accountancy) is a professional course that involves a comprehensive study of accounting and business management principles. It is an internationally recognized qualification and provides knowledge and expertise in the areas of auditing, taxation, financial accounting, business law, and corporate finance.
The course is divided into three levels – Foundation, Intermediate, and Final – and requires candidates to pass all levels within a specific timeframe. The CA Course provides students with a strong foundation in all aspects of accounting and finance, giving them the skills and knowledge to become successful professionals in the field.
A career in Chartered Accountancy has a huge scope, from entering the banking sector to working for International Corporations, you can choose to work wherever you want. But before entering this field, you need to know all about CA course details.
This article includes information related to the CA Course, including the eligibility criteria, stages of the CA exam, CA exam syllabus, and the steps to become a CA.
A Chartered Accountant (CA) is a professional designation given to accounting experts who have achieved certification by meeting the standards set by a governing body, such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Chartered Accountants are qualified to provide specialized services such as auditing and financial advice, along with preparing and examining financial records.
Individuals from all backgrounds and fields can, in truth, apply to the Chartered Accountant course. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India or ICAI even accepts students who have completed their class 12th board examinations.
School-level applicants must, however, have the Common Proficiency Test score. On the other hand, for undergraduate and postgraduate degree holders, ICAI has a minimum test requirement of 55% to 60%.
Once enrolled, one must complete three levels to become a Chartered Accountant. The levels, specifically, are the foundation, intermediate and final. Besides the level and examinations, one must complete an internship or articleship.
After 4.5 to 5 years, individuals register with ICAI as a CA. After that, they can work in several capacities besides Chartered Accountants. For instance, in some other job profiles CAs are eligible to work for our Chartered Accountant, Taxation Expert, Financial Advisor, Finance Manager, Accounting Firm Manager and Cost Accountant.
| Degree | Undergraduate |
| Full-Form | Chartered Accountant |
| Duration | 5 Years |
| Age | 17 to 25 Years |
| Minimum Percentage required in 12th | 50% |
| Course Fees | INR 1,06,100/- (on average) |
| Average Salary Offered | INR 8,04,427/- LPA |
| Employment Roles | Chartered Accountant, Taxation Expert, Financial Advisor, Finance Manager, Accounting Firm Manager, Cost Accountant |
To become a Chartered Accountant, students need to complete three levels. Each stage of the Chartered Accountant course has multiple subjects and an examination at the end. The examinations for the second and final stages take place twice a year. Besides theoretical CA study, there is a mandatory three-year long internship or training period known as ‘Articleship’.
The first level of the Chartered Accountancy course is the CA Foundation. The Chartered Accountant course details for this level cover the basics of Accounting, Business Law and business economics. Students also have to learn Business Mathematics and Statistics. Another major part of this level’s syllabus involves learning about communication. The syllabus also has subject topics like writing articles, reports and letters.
The CA Intermediate is the second stage after completing the first level. This level is not only vast but also takes some time to complete. The syllabus for this level has, in particular, a total of eight papers. The subjects are Accounting, Corporate Law, Cost and Management, and Taxation. Advanced Accounting, Auditing, Enterprise Information systems and Financial Management exist.
The final stage of the CA course also has eight different papers. One of the papers out of eight is an elective chosen during registration. Besides the subjects taught earlier, this level has Financial Reporting and Cost Management. There are also Direct and Indirect Tax Laws, including Advanced Auditing.
Chartered Accountant Course is one of the most sought and in-demand courses in India. In this course, students learn about Accounting, Taxes, Finance management Risk Analyses, and much more. There is a lot of demand for good CAs, but how one can become a CA in India? Here’s how.
A Chartered Accountant Course aspirant needs to register themselves into the CA Foundation course after completing 12th with a minimum of 33% in any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts). After registration, you need to prepare and pass Foundation Exam with 40% in each subject or 50% aggregate marks to qualify and appear in the Intermediate Exams. This course is valid for 3 years after registration with a total of 6 attempts
There are two entry routes to register and appear in the Intermediate CA course.
1) For 12th Pass Students: You need to register, appear and qualify Foundation course exam first. Then you can apply for Intermediate Course.
2) For Graduates, Final Year and Post-Graduate Students: You can choose the direct entry route and apply for Intermediate Course and skip the Foundation Course.
The Intermediate Course is divided into 2 groups, Group I and Group II. In this course, the candidate needs to clear the papers of both groups. Along with the exam Intermediate CA course students have to undergo 4 weeks of ICITSS training. Then only you become eligible for CA Final Course.
Candidates can apply for Articleship after passing one group of Intermediate level and after completing both groups they can commence their practical training. Articleship or training is 3 years mandatory training period during which you will get paid. And during the last 6 months of articleship you need to apply for Final Level exams.
The Final level exam has two groups with 4 subjects each. You need to pass this exam with 40% marks in all subjects or 50% aggregate. The validity of this registration is 5 years.
The CA course generally takes around five years to complete. At each stage, students have a study period of some months. After the study period, there are examinations to take. During the study period, one can also attend doubt-clearing sessions at ICAI. Besides the self-study and live sessions, there is a three-year-long articleship or internship. The CA course duration of each stage is different.
All the subjects of the CA foundation are completed over four months. Here, this period refers to the period between the registration and examination dates.
The second stage of the Chartered Accountant course has a slightly longer study period as there are more subjects and articleship. The study period is for eight months. On the other hand, students complete the articleship over three years.
When wondering about CA and how many years, one must also consider the final stage. This stage takes five months to finish before taking the final examinations.
The total fee structure of the Chartered Accountant course varies depending on whether the student is pursuing CA after 12 or after Graduation. For students pursuing CA after the 12th, the total cost can go up to ₹90000 and for Graduate students, it can be up to ₹80000.
| CA Course | Course Fees |
| CA Foundation Fees | ₹10800 |
| CA Intermediate Fees (Single Group) | ₹13000 |
| CA Intermediate Fees (Both Groups) | ₹ 18000 |
| CA Final Fees | ₹ 22000 |
| Article ship Fees | ₹ 2000 |
The subjects studied under CA syllabus revolve around Business and Accounting. We know that the CA course is divided into 3 levels. Each paper is 100 marks, and individuals must pass each paper.
| CA Levels | Subjects |
| Foundation | Business Law and Business Correspondence & Reporting, Principles and Practices of Accounting, Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning and Statistics, Business Economics, Business and Commercial Knowledge |
| Intermediate | Accounting, Corporate Law, Cost Accounting, Taxation, Auditing and Assurance, Enterprise Information System and Strategic Management, Advanced Accounting, Financial Management and Economics for Finance |
| Final | Financial Reporting, Strategic Financial Management, Corporate Law and Economic Laws, Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics, Strategic Cost Management and Performance Evaluation, ElectiveDirect Tax Law, Indirect Tax Law |
If you want to understand how to become a CA after 12th, you should understand the eligibility criteria for CA course first.
The eligibility criteria for appearing in the Chartered Accountants Examination (CA Exam) conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) are as follows:
1. Candidates must have passed the 10+2 examination from a recognized board by securing a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate.
2. Candidates must have passed the Common Proficiency Test (CPT) conducted by the ICAI.
3. Candidates must have completed the Foundation Course conducted by the ICAI.
4. Candidates must have completed their 3-year undergraduate degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate.
5. Candidates must possess valid registration with the ICAI.
Now that you know all the CA course details, you need to know what skills you would require to become an able and successful CA, other than academic knowledge. Here are some skills that a CA must have.
Rote learning was never the right way of learning, and as a CA aspirant, you need to have a conceptual understanding of every principle and concept.
CA syllabus is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly, only students who put their every ounce of hard work into studying can pass the CA exam. And after passing the exam you need to be hardworking and disciplined in tasks. That’s why discipline and hard work is a skill that every CA aspirant must have.
Communication skills have become a basic need for success in any career field. CA aspirants must have good communication skills, this is required because as CA they need to do presentations in from of clients, explain data and much more. And for that, they should be able to present them effectively.
From time-to-time government introduces new financial laws and changes in industries also keep happening. As CA you need to be aware of every industry-related change and latest trends so that you can provide updated and useful information to your clients.
A CA must have good analytical skills using which they can analyse any number effectively and make an informed decision. Good analytical skill help CA solve accounting problems better.
In today’s time, it’s cardinal to have good command over your computer skills. As CA you need to do a lot of your work on a desktop, from preparing excel reports to creating presentations you need to know everything that will be helpful for your work.
After completing your Chartered Accountancy, you can become CA in any private firm or can also work in the public sector. As a CA, your responsibilities will be
The salary of a chartered accountant depends on factors such as experience, qualifications, the type of employer and the location of the job. The average salary for a Chartered Accountant is 7 LPA in India.
Continue reading: Salary of a CA in India
The scope of a chartered accountant is broad and varied, covering areas such as auditing, taxation, accounting, and corporate finance. As a chartered accountant, you can work in public practice or in the corporate industry.
The number of chartered accountants in India has seen a steady growth over the past few decades. According to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the number of qualified chartered accountants was 1.2 lakhs in 2001 and had increased to 3.2 lakhs by 2016. As per the ICAI’s latest report, the number of qualified chartered accountants has now risen to over 4.3 lakhs.
The growth of chartered accountancy in India can be attributed to the increasing demand for qualified professionals in the financial sector, and the government’s focus on promoting financial literacy and awareness in the country.
Related Read: What to do after CA
If you wish to achieve a much greater career objective and study further after completing your Chartered Accountant course, then here are some of the options that you can choose from to pursue.
A Chartered Financial Analyst course is one great choice to pursue after your CA course. It is a reputed course offered by the CFA Institute of the USA. This course teaches you about Financial Reporting and Analyses, Corporate Finance, Derivatives, and much more. It is a three-level course with a course duration of 2-4 years.
Certified Financial Planner is a certification course, this course teaches about finances and after the course, you can become a financial advisor for an individual or a company. The duration is 6 months to 2 years.
Post-Graduate Diploma in Finance is a 1-year course that students can do after graduation. In this course, students learn about financial decision tools, financial management theories, and financial risks, etc. You can pursue this course after the CA course for a better understanding of financial concepts and career options.
An MBA in Finance is a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in the field of finance. The degree focuses on financial planning, analysis, and decision-making. Courses include financial management, investments, accounting, economics, and business law. This degree can open the doors to many different career paths, such as financial analyst, investment banker, and financial advisor.
In conclusion, a CA course can be a rewarding and challenging experience. It is an excellent way to gain knowledge and develop skills that will benefit you in your future career. Whether you are interested in a career in finance, accounting, or business, becoming a Chartered Accountant is a great way to gain the necessary qualifications for success. With the right dedication and hard work, you can become a Chartered Accountant and enjoy a successful career in your chosen field.
Read more about career options in India.
A. The entire Chartered Accountant course covers several subjects from basic to advanced levels. Each level has different subjects. Some subjects the course covers are Accounting, Business Mathematics, Business Economics, and Communication are part of the foundation level. The intermediate level has Cost Accounting, Taxation, Financial Management, and Corporate Law. Finally, the CA finals have subjects like Financial Reporting, Electives, Direct and Indirect Taxes, etc.
A. To become a CA, both high school pass out and graduates are eligible. For the former, however, one must have a CPT score. Individuals with an undergraduate degree should have at least 55% of commerce students. On the other hand, students from other fields must have a 60% minimum score. For specific eligibility criteria, one must visit the ICAI website.
A. There is no specific requirement to enroll in the Chartered Accountant course. ICAI accepts high school students who have taken their school leaving examination. However, they must have a Common Proficiency Test score. Primarily, finance and commerce students opt to do CA. Although, students in Science, Arts, and other fields can apply. There are also no limitations on the undergraduate or graduate degree the applicant must have.
A. The fees for the entire Chartered Accountant course are on the affordable side. For the foundation level, the total fees, including registration, prospectus cost and subscription, are INR 9,800/-. After that, the intermediate course is INR 18,000/-. This figure includes registration fee, student activities fee and fee for articles assistant. The final level has a fee of INR 22,000/-, which is the registration fee. For the latest fees, visit the ICAI website.
A. The Chartered Accountant course is considered long. Individuals are left wondering “how many years to complete CA”. The total duration for the entire course is around five years. For each level, the duration refers to the study period for students to complete the subjects. The foundation’s duration is four months, eight months for the intermediate, and three years for the final stage.
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