How to become a Charteted Accountant (CA)

Welcome friends,

The Chartered Accountancy course covers a vast syllabus and combines theoretical study with practical training. The course requires students to work hard and develop their application and analytical skills in addition to gaining knowledge. CA is one of the cheapest courses of professional education that could take one to the highest levels of accountancy, finance or business. Here in this article, you will find all the CA course details at a glance.

There is no upper age limit for taking admission in the Chartered Accountancy course or clearing it. If you are academically qualified for it, you can become a CA at any age. Technically, students from any stream (after 10+2) are eligible to pursue the CA course.

CA Course Details for Foundation, IPCC/Inter & CA Final

CA Exam Level –

The present CA course has three levels of examinations:

1. Foundation
2. Intermediate / Ipcc
3. Final

The above examinations are to be cleared along with completing 3 years of Articleship (Practical Training) and completing courses on Information Technology, Soft Skills, and Management Communication Skills.

Foundation: The CA course allows one to enroll for Foundation after appearing in Class 12th examination. Foundation students, after completing 4 months study period and passing class 12thexams, can appear in the Foundation Exams. Commerce Graduates/Post-Graduates (with 55%) or Other Graduates/Post-Graduates (with 60%) do not need to enroll for Foundation and can directly enroll for Intermediate. 

Intermediate: After passing the Foundation level, students can enroll for Intermediate and can appear for Intermediate Exam after completing 8 months study period (9 months period of articleship/practical training for students through direct entry i.e. for students who do not need to clear Foundation).

Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS):Students must undergo four weeks of ICITSS, consisting of courses on Information Technology and Orientation Course. ICITSS should be done after passing Foundation and completed compulsorily before the commencement of articleship.

Articleship: Students are to undergo 3 years articled training after passing either one of the Groups or both Groups of Intermediate Course and after successfully undergoing ICITSS. Direct entry students (i.e. students who do not need to clear Foundation and enroll for Intermediate directly) can enroll for articleship after undergoing ICITSS and before appearing for Intermediate.

Final: Students register for Final after clearing both groups of Intermediate. Students can appear in the Final Examination on completion of the practical training (articleship) or while serving the last 6 months of articled training and after successful completion of AICITSS.

Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft skills (AICITSS):  Students must undergo four weeks AICITSS, consisting of Courses on Advanced Information Technology and Management Communication Skills during the last two years of practical training but before appearing in the Final Examination.

After passing the Final Exams, one can enroll as a member of ICAI and be designated as “Chartered Accountant”.

Provisional Registration: Candidatespursuing the Final year of Graduation are eligible for provisional registration to the Intermediate Course. Such candidates are required to submit satisfactory proof of having passed the graduation examination with the specified percentage of marks within six months from the date of appearance in the final year graduation examination. During the period of provisional registration, the candidate can undergo and complete ICITSS. It is clarified that in their case, the practical training will commence only on becoming a graduate with a specified percentage of marks. Such candidates shall be eligible for appearing in the Intermediate Examination on completion of nine months of practical training. If such candidates fail to produce the proof within the aforesaid period, his/her provisional registration shall be canceled and the registration fee or tuition fee, paid by him shall not be refunded and no credit shall be given for the theoretical education undergone.

Candidates who have passed Intermediate level examination of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India or Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Indiacan also enroll with the Institute for Intermediate directly. Such students can appear for Intermediate after completion of 8 months of the study period and are to join articleship only after passing either one of the Group or Both Groups of Intermediate Course and after successfully undergoing ICITSS.

Industrial Training: The Institute provides an option of Industrial Training for students who intend to build their careers in industries, after becoming Chartered Accountants. Training in an industrial/commercial/financial environment provides the trainees with the opportunity to develop a problem-solving attitude and to have an insight into the functioning of various departments. Period of Industrial Training may range from a minimum of nine months to a maximum of twelve months during the last year of the prescribed period of practical training. 

CA exams are offline exams and conducted twice a year (in May and November). Students planning to prepare for the CA course should go through the CA course details, which include a detailed syllabus and exam patterns. Following a methodological way of studying will help students and will increase their possibility of cracking the CA exams.

Thank you. All The Best 👍😃