Chartered Accountancy (CA) Course Details

ICAI is the premier professional accounting body in India and plays a pivotal role in the education, training, and regulation of chartered accountants in the country. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is headquartered in New Delhi, India, and it has several regional offices and branches across the country.

Role of ICAI

• It is responsible for setting the standards for the CA course curriculum, examinations, and training programs.
• It conducts the CA examinations at various levels, including the Foundation, Intermediate, and Final levels.
• ICAI also regulates the membership and continuing professional education (CPE) requirements for chartered accountants in India.

Course Levels

ICAI offers the Chartered Accountancy course, which is divided into three levels: –

• Foundation
• Intermediate
• Final.

Foundation level

The Foundation Course is the entry-level stage of the CA course and has a minimum duration of 4 months.

• Duration: 4-6 Months
• Eligibility: To register for the Foundation Course, you must have completed 10+2 (Intermediate) examination or its equivalent.
• Course Content: The Foundation Course consists of four papers:
  • Paper 1: Principles and Practice of Accounting
  • Paper 2: Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting
  • Paper 3: Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning & Statistics
  • Paper 4: Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge

Intermediate Course

• Duration: The Intermediate Course is the second level of the CA course and typically takes around 9 months to 18 months to complete.
• Eligibility: To appear for the Intermediate Course exams, you must have passed the Foundation Course or have a relevant graduation/post-graduation degree.
• Course Content: The Intermediate Course is divided into two groups, each consisting of four papers. You can appear for the exams of each group together or separately.
  • Group I:
    • Paper 1: Accounting
    • Paper 2: Corporate and Other Laws
    • Paper 3: Cost and Management Accounting
    • Paper 4: Taxation
  • Group II:
    • Paper 5: Advanced Accounting
    • Paper 6: Auditing and Assurance
    • Paper 7: Enterprise Information Systems & Strategic Management
    • Paper 8: Financial Management & Economics for Finance

Final Course

• Duration: The Final Course is the last and most advanced level of the CA course, and it typically takes around 2 to 3 years to complete.
• Eligibility: To appear for the Final Course exams, you must have passed both groups of the Intermediate Course.
• Course Content: The Final Course is also divided into two groups, each consisting of four papers. You can appear for the exams of each group together or separately.
  • Group I:
    • Paper 1: Financial Reporting
    • Paper 2: Strategic Financial Management
    • Paper 3: Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics
    • Paper 4: Corporate and Economic Laws
  • Group II:
    • Paper 5: Strategic Cost Management and Performance Evaluation
    • Paper 6: Elective Paper (You can choose one out of six available elective papers)
    • Paper 7: Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation
    • Paper 8: Indirect Tax Laws

Registration for the Foundation Course

• The first step is to register for the Foundation Course, which is the entry-level stage of the CA course.
• To register, visit the official ICAI website and fill out the registration form online. ICAI – The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
• Pay the applicable registration fees while submitting the form.
• After successful registration, you will receive study materials and the CA Foundation registration number.
• During your course, you must also complete practical training, often referred to as articleship, which involves gaining hands-on experience in accounting, auditing, and related areas.
• Articleship is an essential part of the CA course, and you need to register as an articled assistant with a practicing chartered accountant for this training.
• After completing the requisite study and training, you can appear for the CA examinations at the Foundation, Intermediate, and Final levels.
• ICAI conducts exams twice a year, typically in May and November.
• Upon successfully passing all the required examinations and fulfilling the practical training requirements, you become eligible for membership with ICAI and can use the designation “Chartered Accountant.”

Exam Details

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (icai.org)