CA

If you want to build a career in finance and economics these are some professional courses suggested for you :

CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)

CA (Chartered Accountant)

FRM (Financial Risk Manager)

Actuarial Science

Data Analytics / Business Analytics

MBA (with Finance, Strategy, or Analytics specialisation)

Most important topics of Taxation paper in CA Intermediate are:

• Basic Concepts
• Residence and Scope of Total Income
• Heads of Income
• Income of Other Persons included in Assessee's Total Income
• Aggregation of Income, Set-Off and Carry Forward of Losses
• Deductions from Gross Total Income
• Advance Tax, Tax Deduction at Source and Tax Collection at Source
• Provisions for filing Return of Income and Self Assessment
• Income Tax Liability – Computation and Optimisation

The CA Intermediate exam pattern last revised in 2023 with the changes coming into effect from May 2024 exams. As per the changed CA Inter exam pattern, the total number of exam papers were reduced from 8 to 6. Along with that, questions in MCQ format were included.

Preparing for CA exams requires strong discipline, consistent study and good conceptual understanding. Start with registering under ICAI and begin with the CA Foundation course. Daily study of 6 to 8 hours, coaching support for core subjects like Accounts, Law and Maths, and solving mock test papers can help. Refer to ICAI study material and revision test papers. Time management and solving previous year question papers are key. Stay updated through ICAI's announcements and plan each level (Foundation, Intermediate, Final) well in advance.

To pursue CA after your 3? year B.Com, register for the CA Foundation or Intermediate stream with ICAI. If you have a pass in Class XII, you may start with the Foundation course, but with graduation completed, you're eligible to directly register under the CA Intermediate route, skipping Foundation. After enrolment, prepare for the Intermediate exams, begin your Articleship (3 years), and take the Advanced level exam and Ethics module. Meanwhile, pursue practice papers, mock coaching, and group studies to build competence in audit, tax, finance and business law.

CA syllabus does not vary radically year after year, but revisions and up-dating are frequent particularly in subjects such as taxation and law to bring about the recent statutory amendments. Revisions, such as the one announced as a "new scheme of education and training" and conducted in 2024-2025, are substantial and affect the number of papers, duration of articleship and topics to be investigated in Focus, Intermediary, and Final year. The syllabus applicable to the exam attempt should be obtained always by the students using the latest ICAI notifications available.

CA Final preparation requires about 10 to 12 hours of daily study. One may need to increase it to 14 hours, later as the exam gets near. Students must make a time bound plan for daily preparation which includes syllabus coverage, practice sessions and revision.