CA vs CS: Which is the Better Career Opportunities Path?

Like everybody else around us, we also have some career goals in our minds. The time when we decide on what streams we would choose for further studies is paramount. Be it any stream of studies, passion combined with hard work and persistence is the only ingredient to great success. A student is confused about choosing between a CA and CS career path, unsure of which is better aligned with their interests and aspirations. 

Individuals require clarity to opt for a Chartered accountant or Company Secretary. As both secures merits it is hard to proceed for the one among them. between these professionals discussing the major differences so it is simple for you to proceed with what is effective for your company. Firstly they both furnish identical services when it concerns maintaining your company’s financial record. Both maintain your books and provide advice on the financial reporting method and compliance prerequisites such as VAT returns and company tax submissions. But their approach to each task is hard. A CA can analyze and interpret your company’s finances, but a CS focuses on the administration and management of the operations of the company. A chartered accountant will assess your financial data and deliver you with the essential advice to facilitate business decisions.

The company secretary is a multitude of professions for the company in various aspects however the chartered accountants are concerned with the budget and finances of the company. There is a different professional model for both the CA and CS. A Company secretary handles the operations of the company and ensures that there is no problem interrupted in it. Another distinction is that a CA is a licensed professional who is mandated to be qualified to practice his/her profession. They hold a degree in accounting and gain practical experience by passing a series of exams before they are finally licensed to practice.

Opposite to that a CS does not need specific qualifications and could attend the training to improve their skills in this field. The other major difference is in their respective duties. The accounting and finance expertise is required in the chartered accountant and the CS takes care of the corporate governance.

There is still some confusion prevailing in the market regarding the profession of CA and CS. The professional course can be pursued after the 12th standard and is highly lucrative professional by every means.

Likewise, Commerce Stream brings with it a plethora of opportunities for CA students. A young commerce graduate would find ample opportunities in different lines of work from marketing to finance.

In this blog, we try to highlight two popular career paths for commerce students i.e. Company Secretary and Chartered Accountant. We hope by the time you finish reading this you will have a clear picture of the pros and cons of the two professions and accordingly choose the right one as per your interests.

What is Chartered Accountancy (CA)?

CA course is one of the most esteemed professional courses in India. There are no prerequisites for taking up the course. However, a commerce background brings with it some advantages. However, clearing the CA exam can be an uphill task. It requires resilience and the ability to study for a long duration and by duration, we mean months and years. The course requires in-depth study and more involvement. If you can clear three levels in one go, you will be able to become a CA within 3 years. Having said that, most people don’t clear it in one go or even in two or three attempts!

But in today’s digital world, you can gather enough insight and get expert guidance via various Chartered Accountant websites, YouTube Channels, and CA blogs. So keep your spirits high and make a deep plunge into the universe of stats and numbers. Keep persistence and hard work as your companions on the journey. There is no reason why you won’t reach the pinnacle of success.

Fill Form for CA & CS Website with Responsive Design Templates

What is Company Secretaryship (CS)?

The company secretary is also an equally good professional option for commerce and other graduates alike. There are immense opportunities and scope for CS professionals in the field of the private sector, public sector, banks, stock exchanges, law firms, and other financial institutions.

The Company Secretary’s job profile includes:

• Providing support to the administrative block of the organization they associate with.
• Manage proper/legal corporate governance as well as ensure proper implementation of the organization’s collective decisions.

In the bygone era, cracking the Company Secretaryship exam used to be easier.

Today, however, a CS profession demands an equal level of dedication and hard work if not more. The filtering process of the CS Authority is stricter than ever before. Very few survive and clear all three modules. Imagine the scenario, only 3 people out of 100 cleared all three modules last year. Because of this, the value of CS is now at par with CA.

However, with e-learning platforms, you can now get lectures and other resources online via various Company Secretary websites, YouTube Channels as well as CS blogs. Imagine yourself 10 years from now, advising the CEO and Managing Director of big companies.

If the thought brings chills then the Company Secretary course is the right path ahead for you. Corporate sector companies seek expert advice from a CS on corporate law and practice as well as even request drafts on law-related subjects.

Read Also: Company Secretary (CS) Profession – Your Road to Success

Major Differences Between CA or CS Which Has Better Scope:

There are many key differences between CA and CS, though they both are equally hard and sought-after courses.

Some of them are:

1. Mastery:

Quantitative ability and Qualitative ability are two paramount discerning factors between the two professions. A CA’s profession demands quantitative ability whereas a CS needs to have a more qualitative approach to his/her career. The analytical skills of a CA should be top-notch notch and he must be at the Zenith of his capability when handling numbers as well as pressure needs to be accurate in every number and there’s no room for errors. CS, on the other hand, should be very good in law and management. Good Communication skills are a must for a CS as She/he needs to advise the board of directors of the company.

2. Focus:

CA’s core course of study revolves mainly around accounting. Some later modules cover various domains to make the course more comprehensive. In short, the focus of the CA course is quantitative. On the other hand, the spotlight in the case of CS course is on corporate laws. To enhance communication skills CS course is made qualitative. The last module even covers HR management. To summarize, CA is more selective as it includes various subjects; whereas CS is more global as people at ICSI (Institute of Company Secretaries of India) understand the value of soft skills along with technical skills.

3. Authority:

An advantage of having a CA degree over a CS is that a CA has the authority to defend his/her client and can act as a lawyer. But a CS cannot defend his client or represent him in any case.

4. Hiring Scope:

CA’s are primarily employed by audit and consulting firms as well as firms with global footprints. CSs, on the other hand, are hired by public enterprises and government organizations.

5. Salary Gap:

CA’s are generally the first preference in jobs related to the financial domain. CA’s are the first choice for jobs demanding in-depth knowledge or expertise as well as strong analytical skills. This does not, however, demean the job profile of a CS.

It’s equally good. The pay scale for a CA is almost double that of a CS. This difference in salary is mainly driven by the authority and power of CA exercise in favour of his/her clients.

Difference Between CA and CS

In the concerned table, one can find the complete details and differences in the professionals of CA and CS. Also, the full form for the CS stands for Company Secretary. and is offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and the CA which is conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India  

Differences	Chartered Accountant	Company Secreatry
Conducting Body	The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India [ICAI] is the main conducting body	Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
Who should opt for it?	Candidates with a strong mathematical and logical reasoning background	Candidates with an inclination towards theory and legal
Stages	Foundation, Intermediate, and Final Course. Note: One can also follow the direct entry route	Foundation, Executive, and Professional ProgrammeNote: The number of levels can vary based on the
Course Duration	5 years	2-3 years
Entrance Exam	Chartered Accountancy Common Proficiency Test	Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test
Eligibility Criteria	Candidates who have qualified for their 12th exams with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks can register for the CA Foundation 2021 exam. Candidates who have an aggregate of 55% marks in graduation or post-graduation degree in Commerce stream or its equivalent from any recognized university/open university are exempted from CA Foundation 2021.	For the Foundation Programme, (10+2 pass or equivalent from any stream)Executive Programme (Graduation from any field apart from fine arts) Professional Programme (Executive Programme)
Job Profiles	AuditorAccountantCredit AnalystForensic AuditFinancial AnalystResearch AnalystInvestment Advisor	Associate Company SecretaryLegal AdvisorCorporate PolicymakerPrincipal SecretaryCompany RegistrarCorporate Planner Chief Administrative Officer
Average Salary	Rs. 8-7 Lakhs	Rs. 6- 5 Lakhs
Employment Opportunities	Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, etc.	Public Relations, Corporate Governance, Corporate Law Advisor, International Trade & WTO, etc.
Official Website	https://www.icai.org/	https://www.icsi.edu/home/

Chartered Accountant: Career Scope

• CA is a professional course that adds immense credibility. Even if you don’t want to join a company, you can do your own practice. And develop clients on merit.
• CA is easily employed by a large number of existing private Chartered Accountant firms.
• Capital Markets benefit a lot from their expertise and hence demands are always high.
• A qualified Chartered Accountant can work in Government Service, the Public Sector or even in the Private Sector.
• It is a myth that a CA’s work involves only numbers and Excel sheets. A CA employed by a firm can also contribute toward decision-making and enhancement of profits for the firm.
• Make In India and 100% FDI schemes have further accelerated demand for CA’s in the manufacturing and financial services sectors.
• CA over the years has evolved into a good career option for women as it allows work to be done at one’s own pace and time
• A CA unlike other employed professionals is free to take a break in his / her profession.
• The certificate by the Institute of CA of India is globally recognized. One can even practice in England, Australia etc.

Read Also: Why CA, CS and Lawyer Professionals Need Their Own Website?

Company Secretary: Career Scope

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is widening the reach of CS professionals not only in India but across the globe as well. The exam is conducted by the institute and over the years CS pass out from the institute have enjoyed great opportunities and respect. The corporate sector and growth in the corporate sector lead to the involvement of legalities and legal complications.

• CS professionals are treated as an authority on company laws and communication. Both factors govern the smooth functioning of any corporate-level organization.
• CS can directly advise the board of directors and they will act as you say in legal matters. But always remember with great power comes great responsibility.
• CS professional expertise in Law is highly sought after by Government-backed Financial Institutions, Stock Exchanges, Nationalised Banks, the Department of Company Affairs etc.

Conclusion:

we would advise you to choose any of the above professions from your heart and dedicate yourself with passion, everything else will follow suit. There are enough CA and CS websites nowadays to help you out in case you get stuck on the road to success. All the best and Adios for now.