Chartered Accountancy (CA) - Course Overview

About Chartered Accountancy (CA)

Chartered Accountants are some of the highest paying professionals in India in the non-technical field. It is considered as one of the brightest career option for those seeking opportunities in the commerce fields. The CA certification comprises of education and exams in the field of business, taxation and accounting.

The procedure to become a Chartered Account (CA) is challenging, as candidates have to clear various exams at different levels, but it is very promising. Although Chartered Accountancy course duration is almost 5 years, it can take more time than that if candidates take more than one attempt to clear the exams.

Chartered Accountancy professionals are required across various business organisations in India be it private or public. A qualified CA is hired to deal with the account details, tax dues and investments of an organisation. CAs also assist in solving disputes and avoiding bankruptcy.

Chartered Accountancy (CA) Eligiblity Criteria

• Min. Qualification Required: 10+2
• Min. Marks Required (Aggregate): 55%

CA Selection and Structure:

Following are the three levels of the CA certification:

• CPT (Common Proficiency Test)
• IPCC (Integrated Professional Competence Course)
• FC (Final course)

1. Requirement for Accounting Technician Course (ATC):

• The first step in the career path of a CA is to appear for the Chartered Accountant CPT and then enroll for the ATC. This can be done after clearing 10+2
• Those candidates who have cleared the Entrance Examination or Professional Education (Examination-I) or Foundation Examination can register directly for ATC.
• Candidates who had applied for Intermediate/ Intermediate (Professional Competence) programme/ Professional Education (Course-II) prior to this can also register for ATC.

2. Apply for IPCC:

• Candidates should have secured at least 100 out of 200 marks in CPT after class 12 if they want to register for IPCC programme.
• Registration for IPCC must be done nine months prior to the first day of the month in which the exam will be held.
• The course consists of 7 subjects, each comprising 100 marks. In order to clear the course, candidates will have to score at least 40 marks in every subject with an aggregate of 50% or above.
• Scoring 60 marks and above in any subject will exempt you from reappearing for that particular subject in case you fail the course and plan to give the exams again.

3. Articleship in CA:

After clearing the IPCC, an internship of 3 years under a certified CA is mandatory for all candidates. The articleship is to gain practical perspective in the field of accountancy.

4. Final Course:

During the last six months of the 3-year articleship, candidates can appear for the final course exams. After clearing the final course, candidates are awarded the designation of Chartered Accountant.

Chartered Accountancy (CA) Syllabus

CPT (Common Proficiency Test):

Paper No.	Name of the Subject	Parts of Subject
Paper 1	Principles and Practices of Accounting	–
Paper 2	Business Law & Business Correspondence and Reporting	Section A: Business Law Section B: Business Correspondence and Reporting
Paper 3	Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning & Statistics	Part I: Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning Part II: Statistics
Paper 4	Business Economics & Business and Commercial Knowledge	Part I: Business Economics Part II: Business and Commercial Knowledge

 

IPCC (Integrated Professional Competence Course):

Paper No.	Name of the Subject	Parts of Subject
Paper 1	Accounting	–
Paper 2	Corporate Laws & Other Laws	Part I: Corporate Laws Part II: Other Laws
Paper 3	Cost and Management Accounting
Paper 4	Taxation	Section A: Income Tax Law Section B: Indirect Tax Laws
Paper 5	Advanced Accounting	–
Paper 6	Auditing and Assurance	–
Paper 7	Enterprise Information System & Strategic Management	Section A: Enterprise Information System Section B: Strategic Management
Paper 8	Financial Management & Economics for Finance	Section A: Financial Management Section B: Economics for Finance

 

FC (Final Course):

Paper No.	Name of the Subject	Parts of Subject
Paper 1	Financial Reporting	–
Paper 2	Strategic Financial Management	–
Paper 3	Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics	–
Paper 4	Corporate Laws and other Economic Laws	–
Paper 5	Strategic Cost Management and Performance Evaluation	–
Paper 6	Elective Paper	–
Paper 7	Direct Tax Laws	Part I: Direct Tax Laws Part II: International Taxation
Paper 8	Advanced Indirect Tax Laws	–

Career Options and Job Prospects

Auditing firms, banks, stock broking firms, finance companies, legal firms, etc. are some of the places where CAs can seek jobs after passing all the levels. Salary options are not bright during articleship but candidates get lucrative salary packages after completing the course.

The average starting salary of a CA varies from Rs. 4 to 6 lakh per annum after completing the final course. However, the salary varies according to the job profile of the candidate and the organization that has offered the job. Experienced CAs make up to Rs 20 lakh per annum or even more after completing the programme.