Are you a young graduate or professional seeking to accelerate your career prospects and upskill yourself in India? You're not alone. According to recent reports, 87% of Indian workers believe they need to train or reskill themselves every few years to keep up with the rapidly evolving job market.
If you're looking to enhance your career potential, the Chartered Accountant Course is one of the most sought-after certification programmes across various industries in India.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about the course and career growth prospects in chartered accountancy.
Who is a Chartered Accountant?
Chartered Accountants (CAs) are professionals who work in various organisations, including private and public sector companies, banks, audit firms, NGOs, and government agencies. They play a crucial role in ensuring financial transparency, compliance with regulations, and managing businesses' finances.
As a CA, you will be responsible for preparing financial statements, scrutinising accounts, and auditing the financial transactions of clients or employers to ensure that they comply with laws and regulations.
Eligibility Criteria for Chartered Accountancy
To become a Chartered Accountant in India, aspirants must meet certain eligibility criteria prescribed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
You need to have completed your senior secondary education or its equivalent from a recognised board to enrol in the CA course. The minimum age requirement is 18 years old to appear for the exams. However, there is no upper age limit for enrolling.
Pathway to Becoming a Chartered Accountant
Becoming a Chartered Accountant involves fulfilling several requirements, such as registration procedures and clearing three levels of examinations conducted by the ICAI.
Registration Process
The registration process can be completed online through the ICAI portal by paying the required fees.
Examination Pattern
The examinations are conducted at three levels: the Common Proficiency Test (CPT), the Intermediate or Integrated Professional Competence Course (IPCC), and the Final Course.
The tests are designed to test your knowledge of accounting, taxation, law, and auditing.
Why Choose The Chartered Accountancy Course
If you are interested in pursuing a career in finance and accounting, then pursuing a Chartered Accountancy course can be an excellent option. This professional course is highly respected and recognised globally.
Apart from the traditional route of Chartered Accountancy, you can also pursue courses like Cost and Management Accountancy (CMA) and Company Secretary (CS). However, chartered accounting is still considered one of the most prestigious courses in finance.
The Chartered Accountancy course is divided into three levels: CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final.
CA Foundation Course
The first step towards becoming a Chartered Accountant is to clear the CA Foundation exam.
It is a four-month programme that includes these subjects:
- Principles and Practice of Accounting
- Business Laws, Business Correspondence, and Reporting
- Business Mathematics
- Logical Reasoning and Statistics
- Mercantile Law and Economics
The exam is conducted twice a year, in May and November. The total fees for registration for this course are INR 9,800.
CA Intermediate Course
The second level of the CA programme is the Intermediate level, which includes two groups.
- Group 1 includes Accounting, Corporate Laws & Other Laws, Cost and Management Accounting and Taxation.
- Group 2 includes Advanced Accounting, Auditing and Assurance, Enterprise Information systems, strategic management, financial management, and economics for Finance.
The duration of the course is eight months. The total fees for registration for this course are INR 18,000.
CA Final Course
The last stage in your journey towards being a Chartered Accountant is clearing the CA Final exam, which has two groups similar to those at the Intermediate level but with more depth in each subject area.
The duration of this course lasts for around six months after clearing both groups at the Intermediate level. The total fees for registration for this course are INR 22,000.
Specialisations in Chartered Accountancy
There are various specialisations that can be pursued after clearing the CA programme, such as Cost Accountants or Company Secretaries.
Cost Accounting Course
The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of India (ICMAI) offers the Cost and Management Accounting course. It includes topics such as cost accounting, financial management, taxation, auditing, and corporate law.
Company Secretary Course
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) offers a Company Secretary course that focuses on corporate laws, governance, management control systems, taxation, and accounting.
Other Professional Courses in Chartered Accountancy
There are several other professional courses related to Chartered Accountancy that can help young professionals upskill themselves and boost their career prospects, such as
Certified Management Accounting or Certified Public Accounting.
Certified Management Accountant
The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), a US-based organisation, offers certification in management accounting. The course covers financial planning and analysis, performance management and reporting, strategic planning, and internal controls.
Certified Public Accounting
Certified Public Accountants are licenced accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform CPA Exam. The exam tests candidates' knowledge of accounting principles, auditing procedures, business law regulation, and ethics.
Job Potential and Career Growth
Chartered accountancy is a highly sought-after profession in India, with vast employment opportunities across various sectors like finance, banking, insurance, auditing firms, etc.
As per estimates by the ICAI, around 5–6 lakh students register for CA exams every year, with an average passing rate of around 10%. After completing the Chartered Accountancy course, you can work across various industries, earning average salaries of ₹7–10 lakhs per annum at entry level.
Upskilling Opportunities
Chartered Accountants can upskill themselves by obtaining certifications in other areas such as Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) to explore career growth opportunities.
Kickstart Your CA Career
In conclusion, Chartered Accountancy is a highly sought-after course in finance and accounting that can lead to rewarding professional careers in various industries. While the course requires significant commitment and hard work, clearing it can provide you with diverse career opportunities across the globe.
At WIZR, we provide end-to-end support for young professionals seeking to upskill or certify themselves in their chosen careers. Whether you are looking for guidance on choosing the right courses or financing options, we are here for you!
FAQs
1. How long does it take to become a Chartered Accountant?
It typically takes 4–5 years to complete the Chartered Accountancy course, including training.
2. Is it okay if I fail my first attempt at the CA final exam?
Yes, it is common to fail on your first attempt. Keep studying hard and try again!
3. Is there an age limit to becoming a Chartered Accountant?
No, there's no age limit for becoming a Chartered Accountant.
4. Do I need to be exceptional in math to be a CA?
While math is important in accounting, you don't need exceptional math skills.
5. Do I need to have an accounting background before pursuing CA?
No, you don't need to have an accounting background before starting the Chartered Accountancy course. It's open to all graduates.
