How to become a Chartered Accountant (CA) in India
चार्टर्ड अकाउंटेंट (सीए)
Audit accounts, plan taxes and advise businesses on money, compliance and financial decisions.
- Streams
- Commerce, Any stream
- Time it takes
- Usually 4–5 years after Class 12, depending on how many attempts you need
- Key exams
- CA Foundation, Intermediate and Final
What you actually do
- Audit a company’s books and certify that its financial statements are fair
- Prepare and file income tax and GST returns and handle tax notices
- Advise owners and managers on budgets, costs, funding and regulations
A day in the life
Checking vouchers and ledgers at a client’s office, reconciling GST data, answering a tax query on the phone, and reviewing a draft audit report with the partner before a deadline.
The path, step by step
- Class 9–10: build comfort with maths and English; you may provisionally register with ICAI after Class 10about 2 yr
- Class 11–12: Commerce with Accountancy (any stream is allowed); register for CA Foundationabout 2 yr
- CA Foundation exam after Class 12 (graduates can skip it through direct entry to Intermediate)about 6 mo
- CA Intermediate, plus ICAI’s mandatory courses; many students also study B.Com alongsideabout 1 yr
- Practical training (articleship) under a practising CA — 2 years under the current schemeabout 2 yr
- CA Final exam, then ICAI membershipabout 8 mo
- First job: CA at an audit firm, company finance team, bank or own practiceabout 1 yr
Entrance and recruitment exams
| Exam | Conducted by | How often |
|---|---|---|
| CA Foundation, Intermediate and Final | Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) | Several sessions a year — check ICAI exam notifications |
Exam dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle. Always read the latest notice on the official website before you apply.
Cost and pay
Government / public route
ICAI registration and exam fees are modest compared with degree fees — check the current ICAI fee schedule; free study material is provided
Private route
Optional private coaching adds roughly ₹50,000–2 lakh in total, depending on city and level
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Salary
Pay varies widely by firm size, city and specialisation (audit, tax, corporate finance). ICAI publishes campus placement results for newly qualified CAs; use those rather than any single figure.
Skills that matter
Is this for me?
Good fit if…
- You like numbers and rules that must add up exactly
- You can study steadily for several years
- You want a respected, professional qualification
Maybe not, if…
- You get discouraged by failing an exam and retaking it
- You dislike deadlines and long hours in filing seasons
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Common questions
How do I become a Chartered Accountant (CA) in India?
1. Class 9–10: build comfort with maths and English; you may provisionally register with ICAI after Class 10 2. Class 11–12: Commerce with Accountancy (any stream is allowed); register for CA Foundation 3. CA Foundation exam after Class 12 (graduates can skip it through direct entry to Intermediate) 4. CA Intermediate, plus ICAI’s mandatory courses; many students also study B.Com alongside 5. Practical training (articleship) under a practising CA — 2 years under the current scheme 6. CA Final exam, then ICAI membership 7. First job: CA at an audit firm, company finance team, bank or own practice
Which entrance exams lead to a career as a Chartered Accountant (CA)?
CA Foundation, Intermediate and Final (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)). Check each official website for current dates and eligibility.
Which stream should I choose after Class 10 to become a Chartered Accountant (CA)?
Commerce, Any stream.
How long does it take to become a Chartered Accountant (CA)?
Usually 4–5 years after Class 12, depending on how many attempts you need
How much does it cost to become a Chartered Accountant (CA)?
Government route: ICAI registration and exam fees are modest compared with degree fees — check the current ICAI fee schedule; free study material is provided. Private route: Optional private coaching adds roughly ₹50,000–2 lakh in total, depending on city and level. Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
What is the salary of a Chartered Accountant (CA) in India?
Pay varies widely by firm size, city and specialisation (audit, tax, corporate finance). ICAI publishes campus placement results for newly qualified CAs; use those rather than any single figure.
Sources and last check
We list every rate, limit and date this page relies on, where it comes from and when we last checked it. Rules change: please confirm on the official website before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Chartered Accountant (CA): path, eligibility and costsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India · National Career Service
- Entrance and recruitment examsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Frequency shown is typical; dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle.
CA Foundation, Intermediate and Final — Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
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