How to Become a CA in India? Complete Process, Eligibility, Course Guide

Becoming a Chartered Accountant in India is a journey that requires dedication and discipline. The professional course is regulated by ICAI. To become a CA in India, one has to start after 12^th. Check here step-by-step process of how to become CA in India. 

How to become CA in India?

Chartered Accountant or CA is popular career option among students who have interest in the field of Finance. The course is administered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The organization also regulates CA profession in India. Also known as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) or Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) in some countries, Chartered Accountant profession is monetarily rewarding.

However, the journey of a CA is not easy. It requires rigorous study and years of dedication. In this blog, we have shared the path to become a CA in India.

How to Become CA in India?

The first step towards becoming a Chartered Accountant in India, it to register with the ICAI. Candidates can register for CA course after Class 12. It is however, advised to start preparing early on by opting for Commerce with Maths exam in Class 11-12. This is a suggestion, as CA course requires a strong base in Maths and Accountancy.

To be certified as a professional, an individual has to clear all three levels of CA:

1. CA Foundation Course
2. CA Intermediate Course
3. CA Final Course

How to Become CA in India? (Foundation or Direct Entry)

There are two routes to pursue Chartered Accountancy course in India. One is after Class 12 and another is after Graduation.

1. Foundation Route
2. Direct Entry Route

1. Foundation Route

To purse CA course through Foundation route, one has to register for the course after Class 12. In this route, candidates have to clear all three levels of the course. One should have scored a minimum of 50% in class 12 to pursue CA.

Post registration, the candidate will get 4 months of study period to cover the course syllabus. They will be eligible to appear for the CA Foundation exam. ICAI conducts the CA Foundation exam thrice in a year, candidates can register as per eligibility. Minimum marks required to clear the Foundation level is 40 percent in all papers and 55 percent overall.

Also Read: Detailed CA Eligibility Criteria

2. Direct Entry Route

The second option is Direct Entry route. Candidates who decide to pursue CA as a profession after completing graduation can opt for Direct Entry route. This course pathway allows candidates to start the course directly from CA Intermediate level. Eligibility criteria for direct entry route is:

• Graduation in Commerce stream with minimum 55% aggregate
• raduation in in Arts/Humanities/Science with minimum 60% aggregate

What After CA Foundation?

After clearing the CA Foundation exam, the candidate has to register for CA Intermediate course and follow the given steps. Those registering for the course through direct route will also have to:

1. Crack Group 1 of CA Intermediate
2. Register for practical training.
3. Crack both groups.
4. Complete CA Articleship Training (3 years)
5. Enroll for CA Final Course
6. Crack CA Final Group 1 and Group 2
7. Apply for ICAI Membership
8. Get certified as a CA to start professional practice

CA Intermediate course level has two groups, Group I and Group 2. Students have to clear both groups with minimum 50% marks. CA Final too has two course groups and one has to clear both groups to be able to complete the course.

CA Foundation Course Syllabus

CA Foundation has 4 papers and the exam is conducted thrice - January, May and September.

• CA Foundation Paper 1 Accounting
• CA Foundation Paper 2 Business Laws
• CA Foundation Paper 3 Quantitative Aptitude
• CA Foundation Paper 4 Business Economics

Also Read:

• CA Foundation syllabus
• CA Foundation exam pattern

CA Intermediate Course Syllabus

CA Intermediate has 6 papers (3 papers in each group) and the exam is thrice in a year - January, May and September.

• CA Inter (Group 1) Paper 1: Advanced Accounting
• CA Inter (Group 1) Paper 2: Corporate and Other Laws
• CA Inter (Group 1) Paper 3: Taxation
• CA Inter (Group 2) Paper 4: Cost and Management Accounting
• CA Inter (Group 2) Paper 5: Auditing and Ethics
• CA Inter (Group 2) Paper 6: Financial Management & Ethics Management

Also Read:

• CA Intermediate syllabus
• CA Intermediate exam pattern

CA Final Course Syllabus

CA Final has 6 papers (3 papers in each group) and the exam is conducted thrice - January, May and September. Check CA Final syllabus below:

• CA Final (Group 1) Paper 1: Financial Reporting
• CA Final (Group 1) Paper 2: Advanced Financial Management
• CA Final (Group 1) Paper 3: Advanced Auditing, Assurance and Professional Ethics
• CA Final (Group 2) Paper 4: Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation
• CA Final (Group 2) Paper 5: Indirect Tax Laws
• CA Final (Group 2) Paper 6: Integrated Business Solutions (Multidisciplinary Case Study with Strategic Management) 

Also Read:

• CA Final syllabus
• CA Final exam pattern

CA Job Profiles and Salary

After completing the CA course, the individual can start individual practice or join an auditing/finance firm. The Big Four firms in this field are Deloitte, PwC, Ernst & Young and KPMG. Individual organisations also hire CAs in Finance department to take care of taxes and reporting. Listed below are some popular CA job profiles and salaries.

Read More: 

• CA or ACCA: Which is better?
• How to clear CA Final in 4 Months