It is not possible to formally apply for the CA course or begin the Chartered Accountancy process immediately after completing the 10th standard. However, by taking the right academic calls and planning thoughtfully, a firm foundation for your CA career can be put in place.
CA in India is seen as a job possessing unparalleled levels of career security, financial progress, and true professional respectability compared to career choices in finance and accountancy. Dreaming of belonging to such a select professional community, an early start is the road to a successful one. Despite CA after 10th unofficially being a route. It starts only after the 12th board exams are cleared, one should and can start laying the groundwork and planning for becoming the CA even after passing the 10th board exams.
The career path for becoming a chartered accountant consists of many steps, such as CA Foundation, CA Intermediate exams, and CA Final exams, plus compulsory practical training, called articleship. However, since the CA course is intensive and requires a structured teaching design, an early plan is especially valuable. Keep reading to find out how you can set the stage for success in the CA course, what subjects you should focus on, and how to take each step with confidence. Chartered Accountancy (CA) is considered one of the most sought-after and prestigious career paths for commerce graduates, although it requires a lot of hours of hard work, and carefully planned preparation.
Can I Become CA After 10th?
The question Can I become CA after 10th? It is most commonly asked by students who hope to begin their professional careers at a young age. Although it is not legally possible to formally enter the Chartered Accountancy course after the 10th grade, studying academically and psychologically to enable the course is not impossible. The Chartered Accountants Foundation course, the starting chapter of the Chartered Accountancy course, requires a qualifying in XII grade for a person to be admitted to the same course.
Although you cannot start the CA work as soon as the 10th, it can help to prepare the work a bit beforehand and will ensure a huge benefit. However, in particular, this is because the CA course is particularly well known to be highly demanding, and therefore having an excellent understanding of commercial fields of study is required. Pupils enrolled in Commerce in the 11th and 12th years of schooling have an advantage as they get exposure to major subjects such as Accounting, Business Studies, and Economics, the core academic foundations of the CA syllabus.
Moreover, these years allow you to develop study skills, to become familiar with the CA syllabus, and investigate coaching services or preparatory materials, etc. By the time you’re ready for the CA Foundation registration, you’ll already have a strong grasp of the basics, making the transition smoother and increasing your chances of success.
CA Eligibility: Who Can Enroll for the CA Course?
The planning of your CA journey depends on your understanding of the eligibility requirements of the Chartered Accountancy course. While you cannot immediately enroll as soon as you graduate from your tenth grade, you can start to fulfill the required criteria for admission, into the CA Foundation course, the first step towards becoming a CA. Let’s break down the eligibility criteria:
- Educational Requirements: Registration for taking up the CA Foundation course is needed in order to have passed the 12th standard examination or an examination of the same denominational value, conducted by a recognized board of education. Although the trade stream is the most favored stream commerce stream students from all streams can opt for the CA stream if so eligible to do the same, meeting the minimum eligibility criteria.
- Stream Preferences: There is no constraint on the stream to be selected in the 12th class, commerce students are at an advantage as they have a syllabus that includes accounts, economics business studies, which is the core of the CA curriculum.
- Age Limit: There is no age restriction to start the course. There is no requirement on the age at which one begins, provided after the completion of the 12th standard and convenient for students and working people.
- Academic Excellence: In the CA Foundation course, there is no minimum percentage for enrolment. To do well in the 12th board examinations, however, achieving a good result at the foundation board examination will help because the concepts tested in the foundation examination are based on Accountancy, Law, and Economics.
Meeting these criteria is the first step in the path to chartered accountancy. Students often use their time in 11th and 12th grades to prepare for the CA Foundation course by gaining an understanding of the course structure and beginning light preparation.
How to Become CA After 10th Step-by-Step
Although it is not formally possible to enroll in CA course immediately after 10th grade, it is feasible to start the study process by adopting a systematic plan. This step-by-step guide outlines exactly what you need to do to become a Chartered Accountant after your 10th grade. Nurturing a habit of early starting can enable you to save time and reduce stress while also preparing you for when you do enroll for a CA course.
Step 1: Understand the Course Structure of the CA
CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final. These steps are structured to progressively increase your learning and competency in topics such as accounting, taxation, financial management, and auditing. Beyond these examinations, practical experience by means of articleship is an integral component of the same.
The CA Foundation is entry-level and consists of fundamental subjects, such as Principles of Accounting, Business Laws, and Economics. Having finished a Foundation level, students advance to the CA Intermediate where in-depth study of subjects like Taxation, Costing, and Corporate Law is conducted. The last stage, the CA Final, is comprised of higher-level courses and your knowledge of accountancy and auditing is evaluated.
Students are also required to undertake a three-year articleship period with an employed, Chartered Accountant to teach them “how to do accounting. The experience is very important such that it can help definitive real-world use of the ideas that you will learn in the course.
Step 2: Selection of the Right Stream After 10th
Thus, on becoming a CA after 10th grade, your journey begins by selecting an appropriate stream in 11th grade. Commerce is the best stream for such students who aim to study Chartered Accountancy. It introduces you to basic topics such as Accountancy, Business Studies, and Economics which are the building blocks of the CA syllabus.
Choosing commerce in 11th grade has several advantages. For instance, Accountancy and Economics are extremely important areas in the CA Foundation examination, and also early preparation for finance knowledge will provide you significant advantage. Opting for Mathematics as an additional subject is also beneficial, as it strengthens your logical reasoning and quantitative skills, both of which are essential for clearing the Foundation and Intermediate levels of the CA In your 11th and 12th grades, emphasize the learning of fundamental accounting concepts, statutes, and financial management. These two years are an excellent opportunity to develop the study habits and time-management skills you’ll need to succeed in the CA exams.
Step 3: Enrollment for CA Foundation (CPC)
After completing your 12th standard, you can officially register for the CA Foundation course, which is also known as the Common Proficiency Course (CPC). This is the inaugural step in the CA path and evaluates your foundational accounting, legal, and economic knowledge.
To get enrolled in the CA Foundation course one has to register through the ICAI Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) Portal. The registration process involves filling out an online form, submitting the required documents (such as your 12th mark sheet), and paying the registration fee. The Foundation course lasts four months for the duration of which one is required to be learning and preparing for the exam.
The CA Foundation test is made up of four papers covering the topics of Principles of Accounting, Business Laws, Business Mathematics, and Economics. The exam is both subjective and objective and requires a good understanding of the theory and a good ability to solve problems.
Step 4: Two Years of Higher Secondary Education
Before the enrollment of the CA Foundation, a student is required to finish a minimum of 2 years of higher secondary study (11th and 12th classes). This is an important stage in establishing a solid academic base for commerce-based studies. Take this opportunity to learn about journal entries, profit and†loss statements, balance sheets, and the textbook principles of taxation.
In your 12th grade, begin to research CA Foundation coaching institute or online materials. Most students find it useful to start light foundation exam preparation during this Interim period, which allows them to transition into working as a CA smoothly after passing their board examinations.
Step 5: Official Registration for CA
After your 12th standard results are announced, you are allowed to take the CA Foundation course by registering in the ICAI portal. Make sure you have all the necessary documents (e.g., mark sheets and ID proof) available to be handed in. The registration fee of the Foundation course is roughly INR 9,800 and you’ll also have to buy the study material as provided by ICAI.
Step 6: Register for the CA Intermediate Level
On clearing the CA Foundation exam successfully, you are entitled to register to take the CA Intermediate level. There is a further elaboration of the syllabus and tests the depth of knowledge of subjects such as taxation, auditing, and financial management. You’ll need to dedicate around 8-10 months to studying for the Intermediate exams. Find appropriate study material. Students often select to look at one set of papers at a time to control workload.
Step 7: Registration for Articleship Training
Subsequently, you will be required to complete three years of articleship training. This is a hands-on training program where you’ll work under a practicing Chartered Accountant and gain real-world experience in areas like auditing, taxation, and corporate accounting.
Step 8: Registration for the CA Finals
The last step in the CA program is the CA Final, a professional skills and knowledge test. This is undoubtedly the worst phase of the journey towards being a CA, but if you are prepared adequately and can stay concentrated you’d be able to clear it and go through with the final step in turning into a CA.
Step 9: Application for ICAI Membership
Once successfully complete the CA Final examinations and articleship training, you are eligible to apply for membership in ICAI. When your application is approved. you will officially be a Chartered Accountant.
CA After 10th FAQs
Can I pursue CA after 10th grade?
No, you cannot directly start CA after 10th grade. Nevertheless, you can be prepared by selecting commerce in 11th grade and concentrating on laying out a good platform for the CA course.
What is CA Foundation registration eligibility?
To take the CA Foundation course, you need to pass your 12th standard. A minimum percentage is not given and any student from any discipline can apply.
What is the salary of a CA in India?
The average annual income for a Chartered Accountant of India is in the range of 8-10 lakhs, and the salary may increase for the senior professionals.
Is there any CA age limit?
There is no age limit for pursuing a CA. The course may be started at any age after 12th grade.
