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Guide To How To Become A (CA) Chartered Accountant in India

Become to CA

Are you the one who aspires to become a CA? And looking for something to help you foresee an entire CA journey? Then you have landed on the right page as we are here with the four-step journey to become a CA professional to make you conclude – is the right professional for you and that you are an ideal candidate to complete this course successfully. Making a career as a Chartered Accountant (CA) is similar to going on a thrilling financial adventure! CA aspirants require a passion for the numbers and a curious mind. You are on the correct article if you are looking at how to become a CA after the 12th. 

This article shall take you through the path of becoming a CA and indeed furnish the skills and qualifications for a CA. We indeed furnish some suggestions for the CA aspirants to assist you in becoming a successful CA. This herd mentality and blind choices can under-utilize their talents and potential, that’s why it is important for students to first gain knowledge of all available career options before opting for one.

Among all the available options, becoming a Chartered Accountant is also considered to be one of the best career options in India. But before we begin, we would like to provide every single detail about Chartered Accountants (CA) here.

CA focuses on multiple areas, including auditing and assurance, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting and reporting, and Applied Finance or taxation. CA’s can work directly with a company or take on clients as part of a chartered accountancy firm.

Nowadays, many teenagers aspire to become CA professionals, however, they seek guidance under which it can become a smooth sailing process for them. Through this article, we have tried to present the crucial information, a CA aspirant must know, in the simplest and precise form.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament, viz. the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 (Act No. XXXVIII of 1949) for regulating the profession of Chartered Accountancy in the country.

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    What is Chartered Accountancy?

    Terms Accountancy and Chartered Accountancy represent the same thing. It is a profession that involves managing the finances of an entity. They are responsible for managing financial accounts, budgeting, auditing, business strategy, and taxation.

    The difference between an accountant and a chartered accountant is that the second one has undergone years of intensive training and passed several examinations in various aspects of accounting to earn the title of Chartered Accountant.

    Responsibility of a Chartered Accountant?

    CA’s are professionals who can easily find jobs in various domains of the economy. They manage the finances of an entity, providing finance-related advice, writing up accounts, preparing financial statements, financial analysis, Taxation and cost accountancy, and helping with wealth management. They can provide their services to a business, individual, or government.

    The most simple reason for pursuing a career in Chartered Accountancy is that it is a highly lucrative and secure profession. Money is like gasoline for the whole world and every business house needs a helping hand to manage their finances, tax filing, and audits.

    There are endless opportunities to work as a Chartered Accountant. Whatever the industry, every organization needs finance management and Chartered Accountants are the solution.

    Scope of Chartered Accountancy

    A chartered accountant can work in the following sectors:

    • Businesses and industries
    • Chartered accountant firms    
    • Consultancy firms   
    • Institutions    
    • Capital market services    
    • Financial institutions    
    • Independent Practice    

    Chartered Accountants are a highly sought profession in the above-mentioned sectors. You can work for a business or organization and help them by managing their accounts, finance, taxation, or auditing.

    There is also an option to work independently and offer your services to anyone who wants it.

    Financial institutions are always in search of skilled Chartered Accountants, which is another employment opportunity. Working for consultancy firms is another way to use your accounting skills.

    Consultancy firms hire chartered accountants to help their various clients with their short or long-term financial goals. Therefore, a consulting firm may be a good fit for you if you want to work for multiple clients.

    Demand for Chartered Accountants

    As per an article published in the Times of India, in April of 2018, the total number of CAs was 2.82 lakh in India and from this 2.82 lakh, only 1.25 lakh were in full-time practice. This means that only 44% of the total CAs were actively working. The notable fact is that in India total number of taxpayers is 68 million and more and more businesses are being set up every year,  thus it is quite clear that the demand for CAs is higher, and it is not going to decrease soon.

    So, the present time is the perfect time to seize all the opportunities and pursue a highly beneficial career. Various employment opportunities are immense and they will grow soon as more startups and businesses are being established.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    AdvantagesDisadvantages
    High Pay ScaleLearning Period never ends
    High demand jobLong monotonous working hours
    Endless of opportunitiesWill have to difficult Deadlines
    Stable incomeLots of    stress       

    The path to becoming a chartered accountant is tough but clear without any confusion. This profession provides stability, steady growth, and a high pay scale. But it requires always up-to-date knowledge and details of every financial transaction. Additionally, this profession also requires constant learning and studying.

    Chartered Accountants have to take care of certain deadlines that need to be met at the end of each financial year and during that time this job can be stressful. Every profession has its pros and cons, and so does chartered accountancy, but to reach a conclusion you have to dive deep to figure out whether this profession suits you or not.

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    Qualification Required

    You can start your journey to become a chartered accountant either after your 12th or after completing graduation or post-graduation. In both cases the paths are similar but if you’re a graduate or postgraduate, there are a few steps you can skip, they are mandatory only for someone who has just passed out of high school.

    After 12th: Foundation course route

    After clearing your 12th class you will have to pass a series of tests. Below we are engraving a list of exams you need to clear in the given order after clearing 12th.

    • CA Foundation course previously known as the Common Proficiency Test (CPT)
    • Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS)
    • CA Intermediate (previously known as IPCC or Integrated Professional Competence Course)
    • Articleship (3-year training)
    • Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (AICITSS)
    • FC (Final course)

    So, you need to go through all the above-mentioned courses and exams step by step.

    Here’s how you have to go about it.

    1. After passing 12th enroll yourself in the CA foundation course.
    2. Complete the study period of 4 months and appear in the CA Foundation Exam.
    3. After clearing the CA Foundation Exam, Enrol in the CA Intermediate Course.
    4. Before your articleship, complete 4 weeks of the Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS).
    5. Complete the 8-month study course of CA Intermediate and appear for the exam. There will be 2 sets of exams, you must pass at least one before proceeding.
    6. Join 3 years of article training after clearing any group of CA Intermediate exam and complete ICITSS before starting your articleship.
    7. Clear the remaining group of CA Intermediate Exam (if any).
    8. Enrol yourself for the CA final course.
    9. Complete a 4-week Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (AICITSS) in the last two years of your articleship and before appearing for the final exam.
    10. Appear for the final examination either after completing your articleship or during the last 6 months of that.
    11. Complete your article training, if you decide to appear for the final exam during your articleship.
    12. Clear CA Final Exam.
    13. After passing the exam, enrol yourself as a member of ICAI to be designated as a “Chartered Accountant”.

    After Graduation or Post-Graduation: Direct Entry Route

    If you have completed your graduation or post-graduation and now want to become a Chartered Accountant, the path is quite similar to the one mentioned above.

    But, you can only pursue this path if you have scored at least 55% aggregate in your commerce graduation/post-graduation, or at least 60% if you are not a commerce graduate/post-graduate.

    If you are eligible to pursue this path, then the step by step procedure that you need to follow is provided below..

    1. Enroll in the CA Intermediate Course.
    2. Before your articleship, Complete 4 weeks of integrated courses on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS).
    3. Register for 3 years articleship or practical training.
    4. After 9 months of your practical training, appear for the CA Intermediate Examination.
    5. There are two groups of CA Intermediate Examination, clear both.
    6. Register for the CA Final Course.
    7. In the last two years of your articleship and before appearing for the final exam, complete 4 weeks of the Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (AICITSS).
    8. Appear for the final exam either after completing your articleship or in the last 6 months of it.
    9. Complete your 3-year training.
    10. Clear CA Final Examination.
    11. After passing the exam, enrol yourself as a member of ICAI to be designated as a “Chartered Accountant”.

    Steps To A Chartered Accountant Exams

    One can start his journey to become a certified chartered accountant just after passing 10th or 12th or even after graduation. The eligibility for the same is:

    • Qualification in Senior Secondary Examination (10+2) and Entrance test for CA.
    • Graduation or Post-graduation in commerce with an aggregate of 55% by appearing for three papers- Auditing, Accounting, Mercantile Laws etc.
    • Graduation in another stream with an aggregate of 60% or more.

    Four Steps to Become a CA in India:

    Step 1. Registration for the CA Foundation Course

    Step 2. Registration for The Intermediate Course 2020

    Step 3. Enrollment for Articleship

    Step 4. Registration for CA Final 2020

    Step 1: CA Foundation Course

    To register for the CA Foundation course, you first need to check your eligibility i.e. 12th standard qualification in any stream with a minimum aggregate of 33%.

    If you are eligible, you can fill out an online form on the official website of ICAI and get a registration number, user ID and password.

    After the registration, you have four months to prepare for the foundation exam which is held twice a year- one in May and another in November for which the CA Foundation exam forms are filled in December and June respectively, to get an admit card which is mandatory for appearing for the exam or entering the examination centre.

    A total fee of INR 11300 has to be paid by the applicant and this includes registration fees, online form fees, examination fees, and journals for members & students.

    Paper’s Pattern

    There are two subjective-type papers and two objective-type papers on four subjects which are as follows:

    • Paper 1: Principles and Practice of Accounting
    • Paper 2: Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting
    • Paper 3: Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning & Statistics
    • Paper 4: Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge

    Each subject carries 100 marks and a minimum of 40% marks in each subject and 50% aggregate is required to qualify for the CA Foundation level.

    Step 2: The Intermediate Level

    The intermediate level can be reached directly after graduation or post-graduation and also by qualifying CA Foundation level if you have started your journey to become a Chartered Accountant after the 12th.

    You can register for the Intermediate exam in March and September and appear for the exam in November and May, respectively, so you get 9 months for the preparation. You can register for the CA Intermediate exam form by filling out an application form online and downloading the Admit card.

    Exam Pattern

    The exam paper for the Intermediate Course is divided into two groups – both groups include 4 subjects of 100 marks each and hence make a total of 8 subjects of 800 marks.

    Subjects in each group are as follows:

    Group 1

    Paper-1: Accounting (100 Marks)

    Paper-2: Corporate Laws & Other Laws (100 Marks)

    • Part I: Company Law (60 Marks)
    • Part II: Other Laws (40 Marks)

    Paper-3: Cost and Management Accounting (100 Marks)

    Paper-4: Taxation (100 Marks)

    • Section A: Income-tax Law (60 Marks)
    • Section B: Indirect Taxes (40 Marks)

    Group 2

    Paper-5: Advanced Accounting (100 Marks)

    Paper-6: Auditing and Assurance (100 Marks)

    Paper-7: Enterprise Information Systems & Strategic Management (100 Marks)

    • Part I: Enterprise Information System(50 Marks)
    • Part II: Strategic Management (50 Marks)

    Paper-8: Financial Management and Economics for finance(100)

    • Part I: Financial Management( 60 marks)
    • Part II: Economics of Finance(40 marks)

    A candidate has to pay a total of INR 27200 for the intermediate course for both groups. For the single group, a fee of INR 23200 is applicable.

    Students of intermediate have to take four weeks of ICITSS training which can be taken after clearing any of the one group of the two. Once both the groups are qualified and training is completed, the candidate becomes eligible for CA final level.

    Step 3: Articleship And Finals

    This is the final phase which consists of practical experience as well as theoretical exams.

    Articleship –

    The aspirant who has cleared any of the two groups of the intermediate is eligible to get registered for Articleship and the practical training can be started as soon as both groups are cleared.

    While undergoing 3 years of mandatory training or Articleship, you start earning a stipend and can register for the Final level in the last 6 months of practical training by filling out the CA Final exam form online.

    Although there is no due date for the CA final course registration, registration is compulsory to appear for final exams which are held in May and November.

    The total fee of INR 32300 (22000+3300+7000) is charged for both the groups of CA final and includes registration fees, examination fees, and GMCS fees.

    The final course is categorised into two groups with 4 subjects under each group and 100 marks for each subject. 50% marks in aggregate or 40% marks in all subjects are mandatory to qualify for the exams.

    The Subjects for the Final level are as follows:

    Paper-1: Financial Reporting

    Paper-2: Strategic Financial Management

    Paper-3: Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics

    Paper-4: Corporate and Economic Laws

    Paper-5: Strategic Cost Management and Performance Evaluation

    Paper-6A: Risk Management

    Paper-6B: Financial Services and Capital Markets

    Paper-6C: International Taxation

    Paper-6D: Economic Laws

    Paper-6E: Global Financial Reporting Standards

    Paper-6F: Multidisciplinary Case Study

    Paper-7: Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation

    Paper-8: Indirect Tax Laws

    Read Also: Get A Professional Website To kick-start Your CA Career

    Jobs for Chartered Accountants in India

    There are huge opportunities for Chartered Accountants in India. Take a look at an inclusive list of vacancies for Chartered Accountants in India as of September 2019:

    JobsNaukriIndeedMonsterLinkedInTotal
    Financial Accounting4278222179912000034490
    Auditing3564740591756837537
    Tax Management1902563030048031,226
    Cost Accounting594   56053372366727

    Job roles in Chartered Accountancy

    TasksResponsibilities
    Financial AccountingManage Accounts, Manage Taxes, Perform Internal Audits, Manage Salaries & Wages, Send Invoices, 
    AuditingTo conduct a statutory audit as per Companies Act, Internal Audit
    Cost AccountingExpenditure Control, Forecasting, Budgeting and Controlling,            
    Tax ManagementAdvice on taxes as business plans change
    ConsultancyCorporate law advice on financial aspects, business advice about profits, project planning, information systems management, extension and more, 

    Chartered Accountant Salaries

    Chartered Accountancy is a very high-paying job, and that’s why the average salary of a CA in India is around ₹ 7 lakh. However, just like any other profession, the salary depends on the years of experience. Here are some details from AmbitionBox: 

    ExperienceAnnual Average Salary
    1-4 years₹3 lakh to ₹11 lakh
    5-9 years₹4.5 lakh to ₹20 lakh   
    10-19 years₹6 lakh to ₹25 lakh   

    Chartered accountant Skills

    SkillsDetails
    CommunicationAbility to explain complex financial information to non-CA associates.
    Commercial AwarenessAn understanding of the day-to-day changes in the business world affecting organizations.
    EthicsCAs deal with money and being professional and trusted by companies requires great ethics.   
    AnalyticsIt is a profession of numbers and hence, it requires great analytical skills to make the right business decisions.
    Self MotivationCA needs to work continuously and learn at the same time. It requires self-motivation to learn and adapt.

    Chartered Accountant Tools and Resources

    Charted accountants were using manual logs and registers to keep a record of everything related to finance, accounts, and business, but those days were gone now. However, digitization changed it as well. Especially with automation and SaaS-based tools.

    There are various tools and software available on the Internet that allow Chartered Accountants to maintain accounts and perform all kinds of tasks online.

    Knowledge Base

    Chartered Accountants need to stay up-to-date with the latest information, changes and all the guidelines. Additionally, people who are preparing for CA need valid resources to gain all the knowledge and what can be better than the official website icai.org Below is a list of some important links that you will find helpful. 

    Chartered accountancy Blogs

    Some popular finance and chartered accountant blogs are listed below:

    Chartered Accountancy Books

    Looking for some trustworthy chartered accountancy books? Some of them are the following:

    • CA Foundation Scanner Cum Compiler by Dr S.K Agrawal
    • Business Laws by Dr V.K. Jain
    • Principles and Practice of Accounting by DR S.K Agrawal
    • Business Mathematics Logic Reasoning & Statistics by Kailash Thakur
    • Business Laws by Dr V.K. Jain and CA Shashank S. Sharma    
    • Business Economics and Business & Commercial Knowledge by Dr P.M Salwan and Dr C.B Gupta

    Business Correspondence & Reporting By Dr C.B. Gupta    

    Tips to Get a Chartered Accountant Job

    Becoming a CA is a great achievement but there is one more thing that is equally important, Getting the right job!

    To get the job that suits you, review your interests and match your overall personality. Every employer looks for the knowledge and skill set of an employee. Thus work on them to seize the most profitable opportunity.

    There are some common traits you need to work on to get the dream job

    Best Successful Top CA Firms in India

    Here are know our are providing a list of the most popular Top Chartered Accountants Firms available in India to date, along with a detailed.

    • Deloitte –
    • PWC –
    • KPMG –
    • Ernst & Young (known as EY) –
    • BDO International –
    • Grant Thornton International –
    • . RSM International –
    • . SS Kothari Mehta & Co
    • Lodha & Co.
    • Sahni Natrajan & Bahl (SNB)

    Communication

    Written and oral communication is of extreme importance for any job. As a Chartered Accountant (CA), you will have to interact with stakeholders, peers, and decision-makers, and therefore it becomes important that you be able to deliver your message professionally.

    We wish you all the luck !

    One Reply to “Guide To How To Become A (CA) Chartered Accountant in India”

    1. Afnan Haider
      March 2, 2020

      Good hints

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