CA Course

CA or Chartered Accountancy is a professional designation and accounting qualification that involves extensive training and education in accounting, auditing, taxation, financial management, and business strategy. The title Chartered Accountant is given to an accounting expert who has been approved by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) as qualified to handle issues relating to a business firm’s taxation and accounting. Chartered Accountancy entails compiling and evaluating financial reports and documentation, filing tax returns, auditing financial statements and company procedures, registering the business organization with the government, etc. A Chartered Accountant with formal training is also qualified to provide consulting services to a variety of clients, including businesses and people.

Candidates can pursue the CA course via two methods i.e CPT Route (Foundation Route) OR Direct Entry method. Candidates who have passed class 12th can join the course through the CPT route and eligible candidates who have completed their graduation/ post graduation/ CS or CMA Executive/ Intermediate level pass can directly take admission to the Chartered Accountancy Intermediate level. The duration of the course is 4.5 - 5 years through the CPT route and 3 years through the direct entry method. Interested candidates must check the CA Syllabus to devise a solid preparation strategy to ace each level of the course.

The CA course fees for the Foundation programme is INR 9,800, for Intermediate level it is INR 18,000 (for both groups) and INR 13,000 (Group I/ II), and for the Final level it is INR 22,000. Chartered Accountants hold important positions in both the public and private sectors because they serve as advisors to businesses and assist with the preparation of financial reports, the acquisition of loans, the creation of financial projections, the explanation of how loans will be repaid, and the assessment of a company's viability. The annual compensation range for a CA in India is between INR 6,00,000 and INR 20,00,000. International auditing firms provide compensation packages that might reach as high as INR 75,00,000 annually.

Also Read: How to Become a Chartered Accountant?

The CA highlights section will provide you with an overview of important aspects related to the chartered accountancy course like duration, course fee, top recruiters, etc.

The Chartered Accountancy course is not an easy ride. It involves extensive studying, a difficult articleship that lasts for around 3 - 4.5/ 5 years, and exams that are difficult to pass. Only if you are reasonably confident in your capacity to invest the time and effort necessary for the course should you pursue this qualification. Career-wise, taking this course makes sense if:

You are considering a profession in accounting, taxation, or auditing

CAs handle a company's accounting, taxation, legal concerns, and auditing needs. There is no need to search further if this appeals to you. As a chartered accountant, you can choose your area of specialization from among direct and indirect taxes, accounting, taxation, financial consulting, tax audits, and more.

You're thinking about working in corporate finance

Managing a company's finances, fundraising, project financing, treasury, etc. are all included in corporate finance. This is a demanding and interesting career, and in India, chartered accountants virtually invariably get these positions. As a CA, you can contribute significantly to corporate finance by delegating the creation of financial statements and other accounting-related responsibilities.

Although you are unsure of which area of finance you want to work in, you are interested in doing so

You enjoy finance and accounting, but you're not sure which area of finance you want to focus on. If you have the perseverance to finish the course, CA is a very safe choice. Passing the exam is a difficult task because of the low passing percentage. Although there are plenty of opportunities in this scenario, the Chartered Accountancy curriculum offers a strong return on investment. Compared to other finance programmes in India, the compensation scale is very good and the investment is minimal.

You want to open your own firm

It should go without saying that you need this course if you want to start your own CA practice. According to the applicable laws and regulations of India, a chartered accountant is legally permitted to conduct audits. For instance, businesses that qualify for statutory audits must only have their financial records and tax returns audited by licensed chartered accountants. Due to this, Chartered Accountancy is a well-liked programme in India.

The course is very demanding and stressful in every way. Students should therefore evaluate their aptitude and interests before enrolling in this course. Since students must do demanding articleships while they are studying, time management is absolutely crucial. Therefore, only individuals who have a genuine interest in accounting and taxes should enroll in this course.

The CA programme is one of the nation's most challenging and popular professional programmes. That is the ideal career for many people, and it pays well, too. A profession in Chartered Accountancy offers a variety of options in addition to other advantages. Although becoming a Chartered Accountant is not an easy feat, many students choose it since doing so offers some of the best career opportunities and secure employment in a variety of roles. This is a summary of some of the most important arguments in favor of choosing to become a CA professional:

Global Perks & Possibilities

There is currently a record high demand for CAs on the global market. For individuals who have always wished to live in a foreign nation and grow their career there, this is the ideal alternative for them. Yet, there are a number of alternative vocations that, if followed, can aid applicants in relocating abroad. More than 14% of the 2,00,000 CA graduates have been placed and settled abroad, according to research by the ICAI. Similar to how they are in India, Chartered Accountants are highly sought after in the global market.

Chartered Accountancy encompasses more than just statistics

Many individuals think that chartered accounting is monotonous and primarily consists of numbers. This is a mistake, though, as CA includes more than just computation. Chartered Accountants play a number of exciting roles in the growth of businesses across all industries.

Lucrative Salary

A qualified CA with three to five years of significant experience may expect to get an average income of INR 11,00,000 - 15,00,000 LPA. Candidates with extensive business knowledge and abilities, as well as several sources of income, can, nonetheless, earn more than the average pay. The nicest thing about this occupation is that there are no financial disadvantages. A Chartered Accountant with a 10 years of experience can earn up to INR 60,00,000 as their income.

Work Flexibility

After finishing the CA course, candidates will have the chance to work in a number of employment roles. In this industry, one can even later alter their employment role if they so want. Applicants who have a significant amount of relevant experience can advance to the position of entrepreneur. Chartered Accountants are in high demand in several industries these days, because of which the money paid by numerous organizations is likewise fairly high compared to other professions.

Job Stability

One of the world's safest professions is that of a Chartered Accountant. Both large and small enterprises need CAs. Chartered Accountancy is regarded as one of the most recession-resistant occupations in both the United Kingdom and India, which is an intriguing fact about this profession. Making the decision to become a Chartered Accountant may be thrilling and gratifying at the same time.

Huge Learning and Upskilling Potential

Contrary to popular opinion, Chartered Accountancy is not just about statistics. The curriculum also aids candidates in developing their technical skills, business acumen, and depth of knowledge in finance related subjects. With this kind of training, CAs can now operate in almost any industry and adapt to it. The Chartered Accountancy curriculum also gives people an entrepreneurial flair which serves as a great foundation for them to build their own organization.

Work Prospects in almost any organization

Banks, financial institutions, corporations, and other organizations place a great value on CAs. There are many job scopes available for certified Chartered Accountants in India as well as abroad.

Entrepreneurial Skills

Candidates who have earned their CA certification may also launch their own auditing company and begin offering auditing services to clients. Studying for the Chartered Accountancy course gives candidates an in-depth understanding of how to establish a firm, what are the rules, regulations, and compliances related to the establishment of a company, etc.

Growing Demand and Lesser Competition

Only a select few people can become chartered accountants since the CA exams are extremely difficult to pass, but the demand is great. Consequently, it is a career where demand is higher than supply. Candidates with a Chartered Accountancy certificate are eligible for employment in the public and private sectors with reputed firms and they gain employment really quickly as compared to their peers.

Candidates must complete training and pass exams at various course levels administered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAI) of India in order to become certified Chartered Accountants. The CA course is divided into three primary levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Final.

CA Foundation Eligibility Criteria

• Students who have passed the class 10th exams administered by a recognized school board in India or who have taken an equivalent exam recognised as being similar by the Central Government are eligible to enroll in the CA Foundation course.
• Students are eligible to sit for the Chartered Accountancy Foundation exam after passing the 10+2 exams from a recognized school board or an equivalent exam that the Central Government has recognized as similar.
• To be eligible to take the Foundation exam, a candidate must have completed their four months of required study time after registering for the CA Foundation course and have passed class 12th.
• The candidate must register with the Board of Studies and finish the required four months of study time.
• There is no maximum age limit placed by the ICAI on applicants who want to enroll in the CA Foundation programme.

Eligibility Criteria for CA Direct Entry Route

The candidate must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible for direct entry into the CA Intermediate course:

• Graduates or postgraduates from the Commerce stream who have at least an aggregate of 55 percent (or equivalent score) are eligible to apply for this entry route. The subjects they must have studied, however, must be Accounting, Auditing, Mercantile Laws, Corporate Laws, Economics, Management (including Financial Management), Taxation (including Direct Tax Laws and Indirect Tax Laws), Costing, Business Administration, or Management Accounting, or subjects with names that are similar to these papers but use different nomenclatures.
• Graduates and postgraduates from non Commerce fields must have obtained a minimum aggregate of 60 percent or its equivalent in the exam administered by any recognised university (including Open University).
• Candidates who have passed the Executive or Intermediate level of The Institute of Cost and Work Accountants of India (ICWAI) or The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) are also eligible for direct entry. Such candidates can enroll directly in the CA Intermediate level and are not required to complete the Foundation course.
• Applicants who are in their final year of graduation may also sign up provisionally for the CA Intermediate course. Such applicants' registration would only become official upon presentation of their final year marksheet or passing certificate within six months of the date they appeared in the final year graduation test, as well as upon satisfactory completion of the ICITSS (Orientation Course and Information Technology). A candidate may participate in and finish the ICITSS during the provisional registration period.

It is important for aspirants to know the detailed admission process of the Chartered Accountancy course. Different routes of selection methods are adopted for each level of the CA course. 

Chartered Accountancy Selection Process 

Candidates can work through their journey of becoming a CA mainly via two routes i.e Foundation route or direct entry route. The following are some crucial details on how to become a Chartered Accountant:

Through Foundation Route

The steps to become a certified Chartered Accountant via the foundation route are as follows:

• After completing the Class 10th Exam administered by an examining body established by law in India, or an Exam recognised by the Central Government As Equivalent Thereto, enroll in the Foundation Course.
• For the exam to be held in the months of May/June or November/December, respectively, register for the Foundation Course by the first day of January or the first day of July, whichever comes first.
• Enter the Foundation Examination after passing the Senior Secondary Examination (10+2 examination) administered by an examination body established by law in India or by an examination deemed equal thereto and after fulfilling (ii) above.
• After completing the Foundation Exam and Class 12th, enroll in the Intermediate Course.
• At the earliest opportunity, enroll in the four-week Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS), which consists of classes on information technology and orientation. These courses must be successfully completed before beginning their articleship, though.
• Participate in the intermediate examination after completing the 8-month study course as of the first day of the examination's scheduled month.
• After clearing one or both groups of the intermediate course and completing the ICITSS satisfactorily, enroll in articled training.
• Clear the remaining Group of the Intermediate Examination, if any.
• Sign up for the final course
• During the final two years of practical training, but prior to taking the final examination, successfully complete the four-week Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (AICITSS), which consists of courses on Advanced Information Technology and Management Communication Skills.
• After successfully completing AICITSS, appear in the final examination upon completion of practical training or while serving the final six months of articled training on or before the last day of the month preceding the month in which the test is to be held.
• Complete the three years of articled instruction.
• Pass the CA final exam
• Become a "Chartered Accountant" by enrolling as an ICAI member.

Also Read: ICAI CA Foundation Course: Dates, Application Form, Eligibility, Syllabus, Admit Card, Result

Through Direct-Entry Route

I) For Commerce Graduates and Postgraduates with a minimum aggregate percentage of 55% or for Other Graduates and Postgraduates with a minimum aggregate percentage of 60%:

• Enroll in an intermediate course at the institute
• Prior to beginning their articleship, participants must complete a four-week Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS) that consists of Orientation and Information Technology Courses.
• Register for the three-year practical training programme.
• After completing nine months of practical training, show up for the intermediate examination on the first day of the exam's scheduled month.
• Appear for both the groups of the intermediate examination and pass them.
• Enroll in the final chartered accountancy course.
• Complete the four-week Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (AICITSS), which includes classes on advanced IT and management communication skills, successfully within the final two years of practical training but before showing up for the final exam.
• After successfully completing AICITSS, appear in the final examination upon completion of practical training or while serving the final six months of articled training on or before the last day of the month preceding the month in which the test is to be held.
• Complete the three years of articled instruction.
• Pass the CA final exam.
• Become a "Chartered Accountant" by enrolling as an ICAI member.

II) Candidates who have successfully completed the Intermediate level examination of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India or the Institute of Cost Accountants of India:

• Enroll in an intermediate course at the Institute.
• Complete a four-week Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS), which must be finished before beginning their articleship. This course consists of information technology courses and an orientation course.
• Show up for the intermediate exam after completing the required 8 months of study as of the first day of the exam's scheduled month.
• After clearing one or both groups of the intermediate course and after completing the ICITSS satisfactorily, enrol in articled training.
• Pass the remaining groups of the intermediate examination, if any.
• Enroll in the CA Final course
• During the final two years of practical training, but prior to taking the final examination, successfully complete the four-week Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (AICITSS), which consists of courses on Advanced Information Technology and Management Communication Skills.
• After successfully completing AICITSS, appear in the final examination upon completion of practical training or while serving the final six months of articled training on or before the last day of the month preceding the month in which the test is to be held.
• Complete the three years of article training.
• Attempt and pass the CA Final Exam.
• Become a "Chartered Accountant" by enrolling as an ICAI member.

It is indispensable for the CA aspirants to be aware of all the crucial dates related to the course and in the pursuit of making things easier for the aspirants, we have compiled all the cardinal dates related to the Chartered Accountancy exams in this section. Beginning on February 3, 2023, and concluding on February 24, 2023 (without late fee), candidates can register for the May-June phase of the ICAI CA Foundation, Intermediate, and Final exams. With a late fee payment deadline of March 3, 2023, the registration process is still ongoing. The dates for the Foundation exams are June 24, 26, 28, and 30, 2023. The Chartered Accountancy Intermediate examination will run from May 3 to May 18, 2023, and the Final examination will take place between May 2 and 17, 2023,

The exams will be conducted through computer based mode. Applicants who have registered for the Foundation, Intermediate, or Final exam can visit the ICAI's official website to learn more about the schedule of the exams and other important information. The crucial dates related to the ICAI CA exams 2023 are mentioned in the table below:

The exam fee for ICAI CA Foundation, IPCC (Intermediate), and Final exams vary depending on the location and category of an aspirant. The exam fee(s) for different Chartered Accountancy course levels are as follows:

Note: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Council has announced that there will be a late fee of INR 600 (for Indian, Kathmandu, and Bhutan Centers) and USD 10 (for Overseas Centers) for the submission of examination applications after the scheduled deadline. Applicants should be aware that the institute may decide to amend the costs listed above.

Beginning in May 2024, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) will use its revised course format. The CA foundation course will have four question papers under the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), while the intermediate and final courses will have six question papers as opposed to the eight papers that were previously required.

A three year Articleship that was once required of CA students is now only required for two years. According to a statement from the ICAI, the new structure will become active starting in May 2024 and has been submitted to the Union government for approval. Additionally, the organization collaborated with the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) to create membership pathways that would enable ICAI members to become Associate Members of the ISCA.

A CA articleship is a 3 year practical training which is a part of the Chartered Accountancy course. The only difficulty students encounter in this articleship course is choosing the right place for the articleship. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) mandates articleship as one of the necessary steps to become a Chartered Accountant. Articleship is a 3 year practical training programme. Articled Assistants, or just Articles, are candidates who pursue this training. The articled student receives in-depth instruction in the profession after being paired up with a Principal who is an ICAI member and has the authority to instruct articled students. The aspirant must spend the first two years of the training period working for a CA firm, which is a practicing Chartered Accountant. However, in the third year, students have the option of either continuing their studies under the guidance of a practicing Chartered Accountant or enrolling in industrial training with a CA who is currently employed in the industry. Although the Articleship training term lasts for three years, Chartered Accountancy students can sit for the Final Examinations once their 2.5 years of training are up.

Note: The ICAI has announced a draft CA Rules proposal to shorten the necessary articleship period to two years.

To apply for an Articleship, students must meet the CA Articleship eligibility requirements. For students going either through the Foundation Route or Direct Entry Route, there are different eligibility requirements as mentioned below:

CA Foundation Route

According to the curriculum's present structure, a student from the CA Foundation Route must meet the following requirements in order to start their articleship:

• Must have passed either or both of the CA Intermediate test categories.
• A four week Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS) is required.

Direct Entry Route

However, Direct Entry Route candidates can begin the articleship after they meet the eligibility criteria listed below:

• After enrolling in the CA Intermediate Course, graduates of the commerce stream and postgraduates with at least a 55 percent grade point average or graduates of other streams with at least a 60 percent grade point average can begin the articleship/practical training.
• The four weeks of Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS) must have been completed by candidates.

Importance of CA Articleship

One of the most important steps in finishing the CA journey is the Articleship. Everyone must thrive in their individual fields in the current climate of intense rivalry, and articleships can provide the necessary practical exposure to a career. These are some significant lessons that can be learnt when completing an articleship and they are as follows:

• Fostering a professional outlook
• Management of time
• Increased communication skills and client handling experience 
• Deep practical knowledge of the subject while conducting day to day job
• Enhanced presentational abilities
• Capacity to handle difficult circumstances and the development of a problem solving mindset

Here we have outlined the comparison between the CPT route and the Direct Entry scheme in the Chartered Accountancy course.

• The Direct Entry option may be proper for aspirants who are commerce graduates because they are already familiar with the fundamentals of the subject and can easily transition into the Intermediate course.
• On the other hand, applicants who are not commerce graduates and choose to skip the CA Foundation course may struggle to adjust to new concepts and methodologies.
• Candidates who take the Direct Entry route will not have to pay the examination fee or the CA Foundation course fee, which could save them money, an advantage only available to the Direct Entry Scheme beneficiaries in the Chartered Accountancy course.
• Candidates who decide to seek direct admission to the CA Intermediate course must first complete a 4-week course known as ICITSS [combination of Information Technology (IT) and Orientation Course (OC)] and a mandatory 9-month articleship, which can be pretty demanding. It would be easier to begin by applying for admission to the Chartered Accountancy Foundation course.
• Aspirants who have a graduate or postgraduate degree in commerce or non-commerce may still have some weaknesses that need to be addressed. The CA Foundation course provides a solid foundation for studying fundamentals, and with that in place, the following steps become much more manageable.
• If the aspirant chooses the direct entry route, the mandatory articleship may not be in the best location or at the location of your choice. Instead, if they enrol in the Foundation course, the chances of landing a better articleship may increase.
• Direct entry is the best option for students who have passed CS Executive/ CMA Intermediate because they will already be acquainted with the concepts covered in the Chartered Accountancy foundation course.
• Even in the worst-case scenario, a graduate aspiring to ace the Chartered Accountancy course will have a degree already to build his career in another field even if he fails to pass the CA exam or loses interest over time.

Duration of the Chartered Accountancy Course

The duration of the CA course for someone entering after class 12th via the CPT route is 4.5 -5 years. The minimum period of the Chartered Accountancy course for someone joining after graduating via the Direct Entry Scheme is 3 years.

One of the most challenging careers in business and finance is that of a Chartered Accountant. The competence of a company's CA is crucial to its financial stability since not only does he or she provide financial advice, but also looks out for and prevents fraud and other financial irregularities. A Chartered Accountant needs to have the following abilities to manage this extremely delicate business aspect:

When a candidate combines the knowledge gained through CA subjects with other advanced courses, they gain leverage over different roles in a firm and can add more value to the organization. After completing the Chartered Accountancy course if a candidate wants to pursue further studies then the advanced courses mentioned below will definitely help them in skyrocketing their career. Not only that, these advanced courses after CA will help candidates in upgrading their skills and expertise in a particular field, thus improving their chances of employability even further along with aiding them in getting a pretty impressive starting pay package in any firm.

Candidates must check out the courses listed below which they can pursue upon successful completion of the CA course.

Investment Banking

Investment banking is a special type of banking that offers financial advising services and helps individuals and organizations raise money. They act as a go-between for security issuers and investors and support start-up businesses in becoming publicly traded. There are different types of courses available in India like Certificate, Diploma, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate courses in the field of investment banking. Candidates can pick any of these courses as per their interests, career goals, time, and resources. Investment bankers are almost always employed in big firms with pretty lucrative salaries because of their skills and expertise.

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

The designation "Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter" is offered to individuals who have successfully completed the CFA programme and met the necessary work experience requirements. The programme consists of a three-part exam that gauges candidates' knowledge of the basics of financial instruments, asset valuation, portfolio management, and wealth planning. 

CFAs have excellent career prospects in India as well as abroad. They extensively encompass the whole financial sector. The Chartered Financial Analyst profession offers a wide range of job options as a professional qualification. For CFAs, India is regarded as the third-largest market.

Bachelor of Law (LLB)

A bachelor of law degree covers both 3-year and 5-year LLB programmes. Law graduates have a lot of opportunities to work for private companies all around the nation. They can decide to take on the role of legal counsel and assist the business in making legal decisions. For a successful career after receiving an LLB, one can additionally obtain an MBA if they are searching for a well paying position.

Financial Risk Management (FRM): FRM, short for Financial Risk Manager, is the only course that thoroughly examines every facet of risk management. The Global Association of Risk Professionals, or GARP, offers the title of Financial Risk Manager. Without a doubt, the FRM designation in risk management is widely respected. It also aids in gaining crucial expertise and knowledge of risk management in particular fields. Financial Risk Managers have quite high starting salaries ranging between INR 7,00,000 and INR 10,00,000.

MBA in Finance

The management, control, and review of money collection, investment, and resource management are all topics covered in the finance stream of an MBA. All prestigious MBA programmes in India offer MBA Finance as a specialization or optional course in the second year of the degree programme. A solid foundation in accounting and mathematics is necessary for an MBA in finance. There are many intriguing employment job choices available after receiving an MBA in Finance.

Certified Public Accountant

The acronym CPA stands for Certified Public Accountants. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) administers the tests for CPA certification . Aspirants must pass the Unified CPA Examination in order to obtain this widely recognised title. The title of Chartered Accountant (CA) is similar to CPA in India. The programme is well-known and regarded as the pinnacle of education in the financial and accounting industries. 

While domestic certification may only let you work in one country, enrolling in a CPA programme makes you a global citizen and increases your chances of being offered job possibilities by international businesses. The demand for a CPA is constant throughout the year due to the rise of more and more businesses and startups. Not to forget, the remuneration for a CPA professional is quite high.

Chartered Accountants or CAs have a variety of career opportunities, including starting their own business, working for private companies, and working for government organizations. For several reasons, including the requirement that every registered firm be required by the Company Act to employ a Chartered Accountant for handling various financial elements, there is also a great deal of security and opportunity for them in India. The types of positions available to Chartered Accountants in the private sector largely rely on the city and firm types. More career prospects in more complex and specialized skill sets are offered by large companies. The potential for growth of CAs also depends on keeping up with new and emerging technologies and practices.

Also, there are many work opportunities and a broad range of CA related roles in India. They have a variety of possibilities because they are in high demand across all industries. The opportunities for Chartered Accountants are expanding along with the growth of the Indian economy. The improvement in the economy is adding challenges for CAs to upgrade their knowledge and skills in the specialized domains of activities, along with expanding career prospects for them. Here are some of the Chartered Accountants' specialized roles:

• Company Liquidator
• GST Expert
• Corporate Financing
• Auditor
• Financial Reporting
• Management & Corporate Consultancy
• Tax Advisor
• Management Accounting
• Cost Accountant

The CA course fee for the foundation, Intermediate, and final course levels is mentioned below:

CA Foundation Course Fee

CA Intermediate Course Fee

Note: In addition to the above fees, direct entry students must also pay INR 200 (about $20) for the prospectus.

CA Final Course Fee

The three levels of the Chartered Accountancy course are called Foundation, Intermediate, and Final Level. The tables mentioned below detail the CA syllabus and subjects covered in each level's papers. Chartered Accountancy aspirants must be aware of the curriculum covered at each level of the course to plan their preparation strategy for each level's examination.

CA Foundation Syllabus and Subjects 

There are four papers in the CA Foundation course. To graduate from this level of the Chartered Accountancy programme, one must pass all four papers. The table below lists the syllabus and subjects covered in the four papers of the Chartered Accountancy Foundation course:

CA Intermediate Syllabus and Subjects

There are two groups in the CA Intermediate course, and each group has four papers. To graduate from this level of the Chartered Accountancy programme, one must pass all eight papers. The table below lists the subjects and syllabus covered in the eight papers of the Chartered Accountancy Intermediate course:

CA Final Syllabus and Subjects

There are two groups and eight papers in the CA Final course. To graduate from this level of the Chartered Accountancy programme, one must pass all eight papers. The table below lists the subjects and syllabus covered in the eight papers of the Chartered Accountancy Final course:

The CA course puts candidates' knowledge and skills to the test in order to determine whether they have what it takes to succeed as Chartered Accountants. The skill evaluations for the Chartered Accountancy course's three levels are listed below:

CA Foundation Course: Marking Scheme

Candidates are judged on their application and comprehension skills at the Foundation level. The scoring matrix for the ICAI CA Foundation exam is shown below:

CA Intermediate Course: Marking Scheme

Candidates are evaluated on their comprehension and application abilities in the Chartered Accountancy Intermediate course as well. The marking pattern for the ICAI CA Intermediate exam is shown below:

CA Final Course – Marking Scheme

Candidates are evaluated on their comprehension, application, and evaluation skills in the Chartered Accountancy Final course. The scoring system for the ICAI CA Final Exam is provided below:

We have made the job easy for you and have compiled a list of some of the best books for the CA preparation at all the three levels of the course listed below:

Books for CA Foundation

The following are a few of the top and most suggested books for the CA foundation:

• Mercantile Law: Vivek Kuchhal and MC Kuchhal 
• Fundamentals of Accounting by DG Sharma
• Tulsian’s Business Law By Tulsian
• Taxmann’s CA Foundation Principles and Practice of Accounting
• CA CPT Fundamentals of Accounting by PC Tulsian and Bharat Tulsian
• Taxmann’s Quicker for Business Mathematics, Statistics, and Logical Reasoning
• CA Rajesh Jogani by Quantitative Aptitude Mathematics with Short Tricks
• Grewal’s CA Foundation Accountancy by M. P Gupta

Books for CA Intermediate

The top books for CA Intermediate include the following:

• Tulsian’s Accountancy for CA Intermediate (Group II) by  Bharat and PC Tulsian
• CA Surbhi Bansal’s Auditing and Assurance for CA Intermediate
• Padhuka's Students' Guide for Strategic Management and Enterprise Information Systems by B Saravana and Prasath Sekar
• MP Vijay Kumar’s First lessons in Accounting Standards 
• Munish Bhandari’s Handbook on Corporate and Other Laws - CA Inter
• PC Tulsian’s Cost Accounting for CA Intermediate
• G. Sekhar’s Handbook On Taxation
• B. Saravana and Prasath G. Sekar’s Students Guide on Economics For Finance and Financial Management

Books for CA Final

The top recommended books for CA Final include the following:

• Quick Revision Charts on Professional Ethics and Advanced Auditing
• Padhuka’s Student Reference On Indirect Taxes - CA Final New and Old Syllabus by G Serkar and B Sarvana Prasath
• GST Compact Book on Indirect Tax by CA Raj Kumar
• Conceptual Learning - A Handbook on Indirect Tax Law by Yashwant Mangal for CS and CA Final level 
• Padhuka’s Advanced Auditing Student Handbook: CA Final New Syllabus by Sekar and B Sarvana Prasath
• Performance Evaluation and Strategic Cost Management - CA Final New Syllabus by B Saravana Prasath
• Comprehensive Approach to Professional Ethics and Advanced Auditing by CA Vikas Oswal
• Padhuka’s Ready Reference for Advanced Management Accounting by CA Prasath B Saravana

Together with practical skills in management, analysis, and business strategy, an MBA offers a wide range of job options in a number of business-related fields. Chartered accountancy, on the other hand, deals with specialization in all accounting and financial fields. A candidate may find it difficult to decide between an MBA and a CA if they have a particular interest in the finance sector. It can be difficult to decide between becoming a CA (Chartered Accountant) and an MBA (Master of Business Administration), especially if you're unsure of what you want to do for a living. So that you may make a more educated choice, we will compare and contrast the two degrees here.

Chartered Accountancy and Company Secretary are two popular courses offered in the Commerce stream. After 12th Commerce, both CA and CS are often chosen courses, and their course material and professional job profiles are typically seen to be connected. The Chartered Accounting degree and the Company Secretary course, despite their apparent similarity, are two distinct programmes that concentrate on various aspects of an organization. These are also recognised as the most challenging exams in India.

In terms of the course content, length, academic levels, available jobs, etc., both of these programmes differ greatly from one another. The table below lists the key points where CA and CS differ from one another.

Despite the fact that the CA and CMA curricula share a lot of similarities. The exam syllabuses for the CMA and the CA are quite dissimilar. The main areas of focus for the CA programme include accounting, law, audit, taxation, and finance. In contrast, the CMA course covers organizational management, corporate finance, internal controls, cost management, cost accounting, economics, and more.

The Association of Certified Chartered Accountants is known by the initials ACCA. The candidates mostly deal with the rules and regulations that apply to a corporation and how those rules and regulations are put into practise. They also combine with the Auditing and Taxes component. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India awards the CA degree in India. At the level of Gazette Officer, CA collaborates with both the government and a private company. For Accounts and Finance professionals who are passionate about a career in Accounting, Taxes, Auditing, and Finance, both CA and ACCA are highly qualified finance programmes.

Let’s take a comparative look at both of these courses to clear your confusions and help you in making an informed decision if you are someone who is ruminating on choosing between the two courses for your professional career path.

Chartered Accountants act as business advisors in high-level strategic decisions such as increasing market share for clients or employers and improving profit margins. Aside from that, many CAs start their businesses and become highly successful entrepreneurs.

Below is a list of top industries for Chartered Accountants:

• Audit and Taxation
• Tax Advisory Firms
• Cost Accountant
• Insurance Sector
• Corporate Houses (includes planning and budget team)
• Law Firms
• Project Finance or Financial Advisory
• Banking and Financial Services (Government and Private)
• Investment Banking Firms
• Chartered Accountant Firms
• Outsourcing
• Academics

Also Read: Career as Chartered Accountant

The following table provides the average annual salary of a CA in India based on various job profiles.

Many CAs practice independently, while a majority of them also join reputable business organizations after completing the course. Mentioned below are some of the top organizations hiring chartered accountants.