The Chartered Accountancy (CA) course is one of India’s most respected and challenging professional qualifications. Governed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the CA course opens a gateway to careers in auditing, taxation, accounting, finance, and corporate law.
1. Governing Body
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
- Statutory body established under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Website: https://www.icai.org
2. Eligibility Criteria
Route 1: Foundation Course (After Class 12)
- Must have passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board
- Register with ICAI for the CA Foundation Course
Route 2: Direct Entry Route (After Graduation)
- Commerce graduates with minimum 55% marks
- Non-commerce graduates with minimum 60% marks
- CS/CMA Inter-qualified candidates also eligible
3. Course Structure and Stages
The CA course consists of three levels, followed by practical training and ICITSS/Advanced ICITSS programs.
Stage 1: CA Foundation Course
- Entry-level test
- Duration: Minimum 4 months of study before appearing
- Subjects:
- Principles and Practice of Accounting
- Business Laws and Business Correspondence & Reporting
- Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning & Statistics
- Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge
- Mode: Offline/Online, Subjective + Objective mix
Stage 2: CA Intermediate Course
- Can be pursued after Foundation or via Direct Entry
- Duration: Minimum 8 months of study
- Divided into 2 groups, 3 papers each:
Group I:
- Advanced Accounting
- Corporate and Other Laws
- Taxation (Income Tax + GST)
Group II:
4. Cost and Management Accounting
5. Auditing and Assurance
6. Financial Management and Strategic Management
Stage 3: CA Final Course
- Requires successful completion of Intermediate and 2.5 years of articleship
- Divided into 2 groups:
Group I:
- Financial Reporting
- Strategic Financial Management
- Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics
- Corporate and Economic Laws
Group II:
5. Strategic Cost Management and Performance Evaluation
6. Elective (Open Book Exam): Risk Management, Financial Services, International Tax, etc.
7. Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation
8. Indirect Tax Laws
4. Articleship Training
- Duration: 3 years practical training under a practicing CA
- Begins after clearing either Group I or both groups of CA Intermediate
- Paid stipend during training (varies from ₹2,000 to ₹10,000+ per month)
5. ICITSS and Advanced ICITSS
- Information Technology and Soft Skills Training
- Mandatory training before Final Exam
- Modules:
- ICITSS: IT + Orientation (100 hours + 15 days)
- Advanced ICITSS: Advanced IT + Management and Communication Skills (after articleship, before Final)
6. Registration & Exam Fees (As of 2025)
| Level | Registration Fee | Exam Fee |
| Foundation | ₹9,000 | ₹1,500 |
| Intermediate | ₹18,000 (Both Groups) | ₹2,700 (Both Groups) |
| Final | ₹22,000 | ₹3,300 (Both Groups) |
| ICITSS/Adv. ICITSS | ₹7,000–₹14,000 approx. | Included in training |
Note: Fees may vary slightly; overseas students have higher fees.
7. Duration of the CA Course
| Route | Typical Duration |
| Foundation Route | 4.5 to 5 years |
| Direct Entry Route | 3.5 to 4 years |
8. Passing Criteria
- Minimum 40% in each paper
- Minimum 50% aggregate in a group
- Exemption granted if a paper is scored above 60% (valid for 3 attempts)
9. Career Opportunities After CA
Chartered Accountants are in demand across public and private sectors.
Popular Roles:
- Statutory Auditor
- Internal Auditor
- Tax Consultant
- CFO/Finance Manager
- Forensic Auditor
- Investment Banker
- Government Examiner (CAG, SEBI, RBI)
Sectors Hiring CAs:
- Big 4 Consulting Firms (EY, Deloitte, PwC, KPMG)
- Banks and Financial Institutions
- MNCs and Startups
- PSUs and Government Departments
Starting Salary:
₹7 LPA – ₹12 LPA (can go higher with rank and domain specialization)
10. CA vs Other Finance Courses
| Course | Duration | Recognition | Focus |
| CA | 4-5 Years | India (Global recognition increasing) | Audit, Tax, Accounts |
| CMA | 3 Years | India | Costing, Management |
| CS | 3 Years | India | Company Law, Compliance |
| CPA | 1-2 Years | USA-based | US GAAP, International Finance |
| ACCA | 2-3 Years | UK-based | Global Accounting Standards |
11. Challenges and Rewards
Challenges:
- Intense syllabus and long duration
- Low pass percentage (~10–15%)
- Balancing study with articleship
Rewards:
- Prestigious career
- Excellent earning potential
- Opportunities in India and abroad
12. New Scheme of Education and Training (2023 Onwards)
ICAI has revamped the CA course with key changes:
- Reduction in total duration: Articleship now 2 years instead of 3
- More MCQs and case study-based evaluation
- More industry-relevant electives and flexibility
- Ethics and technology integration in syllabus
Conclusion
The Chartered Accountancy course is not just a qualification—it’s a journey of discipline, resilience, and intellect. It remains a powerful gateway to elite positions in finance, governance, and leadership, especially for those with a passion for numbers, law, and strategic thinking. With its new-age curriculum and global focus, CA continues to be one of India’s most sought-after professions.
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