Career as Chartered Accountant

Ranjan K Baruah *

CA is a common term mostly for the students of commerce stream. With the rapid development in economy, careers in finance and accounts have been in demand in many places. The term CA is connected with all these, well CA stands for Chartered Accountant and the course related to same is called Chartered Accountancy course.

It is a dynamic, challenging and rewarding profession. All the countries have their own Accountancy Association which regulates the quality and quantity of the professionals in this field. Chartered Accountancy Course is a professional course in Accounting introduced in our country in 1949, with the enactment of the Chartered Accountants Act. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) was formed the same year .

There are different stages to become a CA. Aspirant may join through Common Proficiency Course. One may enrol with the Institute for Common Proficiency Course (CPC) after passing class 10th examination conducted by an examining body constituted by law in India or an examination recognized by the Central Government as equivalent thereto. To appear in CPT students must pass senior secondary level of examination.

After completing CPC one may join Intermediate (IPC) Course/ATC after passing CPT and 10+2 examination. Students need to undergo orientation programme and also 100 hours of IT training. Student may appear in Intermediate (IPC) Examination/ATE on completion of 8 months of study course as on first day of the month in which the examination is to be held and join articled training after passing either Group I or Both Groups of Intermediate (IPC) Course. There are courses related to management and communication in this stage for different days.

Student may also opt for the Accounting Technician Course. One may enroll for Common Proficiency Test (CPT), after passing Class 10 examination. Aspirant need to appear and pass in CPT after appearing in Senior Secondary (10+2) Examination however one should pass both CPT and 10+2 examination before registering for ATC. One may get Accounting Technician Certificate and designate as “Accounting Technician” once the course is finished successfully. There are also ways to become CA after becoming Accounting Technician.

There is provision for direct entry for CA courses for which Commerce Graduates/Post-Graduates needs 55% or Other Graduates/Post-Graduates needs 60%. Instead of CPC they may directly enroll with the Institute for Intermediate (Integrated Professional Competence) Course for Both Groups with or without the option of Accounting Technician Course (ATC). Before appearing for the final examination there are some more stages which students must complete.

Candidates who have passed Intermediate level examination of Institute of Company Secretaries of India or Institute of Cost Accountants of India may enroll with the Institute for Intermediate (Integrated Professional Competence) Course either for Both Groups or Group I with or without the option of Accounting Technician Course (ATC). There are other stages before appearing for the final exams.

Career options and opportunities are tremendous for the registered CAs. All the companies registered under the Companies Act, are required to get their accounts audited only by practising Chartered Accountants.

A qualified Chartered Accountant has the option of joining the Government Service, Public Sector undertakings or taking up a profitable job in the private sector. Some of the opportunities available for Chartered Accountants are in capital markets, business houses and industry. Many are seen working independently as consultant and they provide services to their clients.

I have seen many students initially enroll for the course but most of them do not complete the course in due time. Once someone registered for the course they must try and complete the same with the time period. There are many who have completed CA and also completed law and they are working as consultants and earn good salary. CAs are also associated with Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and different charitable trusts and other associations.