Chartered Accountant
Qualified to monitor a company's finances across taxation, accounting, applied finance and management accounting.
Overview
Chartered Accountants are qualified to monitor a company's finances, provide financial feedback and suggestions. They deal with four areas — taxation, financial accounting and reporting, applied finance, and management accounting.
Where they work
- Chartered Accounting Firms
- Business Consultancies
- Companies across private and public sector
Work environment
It is a desk job. You will have to work for 5 to 6 days a week and 10 to 12 hours every day. This may vary from organisation to organisation. Entrepreneurship: you can start your own consultancy.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You pay attention to details while working
- You can keep accurate records of expenses and income
- You like to work with numbers
- You like to solve problems
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in the Commerce or Science stream
- 2Pursue Bachelor's in Commerce or any related subject
Alternative route 2
- 1Pursue Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree in the same or allied field
- 2Enrol and qualify for the Foundation Course → Join Intermediate Course → Undergo four-weeks integrated course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS) → Qualify Intermediate examination → Join 3-year article training → Enrol for CA final course → Complete 4-week Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (AICITSS) → Take the Final exam → Register as member of ICAI to be designated as Chartered Accountant
- 3(You can choose to take this pathway after 10+2 or your undergraduate course)
Forms, exams and applications
ICAI Foundation, Intermediate and Final examinations, with mandatory ICITSS/AICITSS courses and 3-year article training. Check the official ICAI notification for current eligibility and dates.
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The course is offered by the Department of Commerce.
Government institutes
- University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- University of Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana
- University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
- Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- Bangalore University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman, West Bengal
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- J.D. Birla Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal
- St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Christ University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Chandigarh University, Chandigarh
- Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Rajasthan
- Galgotias University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu
- Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Chartered Accountant
- 2Certified Public Accountant/Accountant
- 3Chief Financial Officer/Financial Controller/Accounting Manager
Expected income
₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000 per month or more
The figures are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Company Secretary
In-house legal expert and compliance officer guiding company governance.
Cost and Works Accountant
Records production costs and develops budgets and cost-control initiatives to increase profits.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Commerce, Science.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to analysing.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Naina Lal Kidwai — A CA by profession. She studied Economics from the University of Delhi and MBA from Harvard Business School. Kidwai is the recipient of several awards and honours including the Padma Shri for her contribution to trade and industry. She is engaged with institutions in environment, water and sanitation and has authored three books.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 203 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Job=Chartered_Accountant/Salary
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.