One can prepare for CA after graduation. Graduates in fields such as B.Com, BBA, B.Sc. Engineering does not stop any aspirants from preparing for CA. This opportunity is not limited to commerce students. Students of B.Com, B.Sc., BBA, and even Engineering can opt for CA after satisfying certain criteria of eligibility. The CA course of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is recognized for its demanding curriculum and practical training and enables the students to acquire a deep understanding and proficiency in accounting, taxation, and financial management. They can skip the foundation if the aspirants are graduates in any field As a result, by following this track, the students can skip the CA Foundation (the first level of the program) and jump directly into the CA Intermediate (IPCC) level. This advantage not only saves time but also provides graduates with a head start in career development.
There is a shortcut option for choosing CA after graduation as compared to starting after Class 12th. The graduates can follow a direct progression to the intermediate level without the foundation level, and it is, therefore, beneficial to avoid wasting time learning at the foundation level while attaining a depth of knowledge at the intermediate level.
How to Become a CA After Graduation?
The process of professional qualification to a Chartered Accountant (CA) after completion of the bachelor degree is organized and efficient. Graduates are now permitted to apply for direct registration to the Intermediate level of the CA program of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). This pathway, designated as the Direct Entry Pathway, is accessible to students across various academic disciplines, including B.Com, B.Sc. , BBA, BA, and even technical degrees like Engineering.
Steps to Become CA After Graduation
- Eligibility Verification: Clarify Whether you meet the required percentage criteria according to your program of graduation. For the Intermediate course, candidates would have to achieve a minimum of 55% overall marks for commerce graduates and 60% overall marks for non-commerce graduates respectively for their respective study programs.
- Registration for CA Intermediate (IPCC): Register with ICAI for the Intermediate level directly, bypassing the Foundation level.
- Practical Training (Articleship): A minimum of 9 months of compulsory training, with a qualified CA, are required in order to be allowed to sit Intermediate level examinations.
- Intermediate Exams: Take the IPCC examinations and pass the two-level exams.
- CA Final: Articlehip completion and Intermediate level course examination followed by taking CA Final level admission.
- Final Exam and Certification: Successfully undergo the CA Final examinations to get the Chartered Accountant stamp.
CA After Graduation
Students, especially those with prior B.Com or similar studies background, are inclined to take this route practically owing to the relevance between their academic study and the syllabus of the CA course, thereby reducing the time of preparation.
CA After B.Com
B. Com graduates are the most common applicants to CA. Their course of study is frequently in synch with CA subjects such as accounting, auditing, and taxation, and their exam preparation is thus less problematic.
- Eligibility: A B.Com pass-out must have obtained a minimum aggregate score of 55% to enroll in CA Intermediate on Direct Entry Route.
- Advantages: B.Com students have due knowledge of accountancy, commerce, and economics, corresponding with the CA syllabus sections.
CA After BBA
BBA holders, who aim for a corporate career in financial management or business consultancy may enroll in CA to further increase the quality of their professional skills.
- Eligibility: For obtaining a degree, B.Com and BBA graduates must obtain minimum aggregate marks (55%).
- Advantages: BBA students, who already have a background in the topics within business law, management, and financial analysis, excel in both theoretical CA subjects (e.g., Corporate Law) and practical CA subjects (e.g., Strategic Financial Management).
CA After B.Sc. or Non-Commerce Streams
Non-commerce graduates, such as those with degrees in B.Sc. Information Science, BA, or Engineering candidates can also get a CA on completion of their course. However, their eligibility criteria and preparation approach differ slightly.
- Eligibility: Non-commerce students are required to obtain at least 60% total grade to gain access to the Intermediate level directly.
- Advantages: Although these students might not have an accounting background, they are typically strong in analytical and logical areas such as Costing and Financial Management.
CA After Engineering
For the mathematical-minded engineering students in particular, this is a rewarding career transition to CA.
- Eligibility: A minimum of 60% aggregate marks is required.
- Advantages: Problem-solving ability and technical skills in engineering students provide them with an advantage in areas like cost accounting and financial analysis.
| Route | Direct Entry Route | CPT (Common Proficiency Test) Route |
| Eligibility | After Graduation | After Class 12th |
| Exemptions | CPT Exempted | No Exemptions |
| Course Duration | 3 years | 4.5 years |
| Articleship Start | After Registration | After clearing 1st group of IPCC |
| IPCC Eligibility | After 9 months of training | After 9 months of study |
Eligibility Criteria For CA After Graduation
Eligibility criteria for CA after graduation are based on the academic qualification of the candidate. ICAI sets target-level percentages to ensure that students are well prepared for the challenging CA student population. Eligibility criteria have been defined to ensure that the students have the required foundation in order to deal with the elective components of the CA course.
- Commerce Graduates (B.Com, BBA, etc.): Must have a minimum of 55% total marks in their degree program.
- Non-Commerce Graduates (B.Sc., Engineering, etc.): Require a minimum of 60% aggregate marks.
- Postgraduates: Eligible to enroll, if they have the same percentage of eligibility in their stream.
Course Duration
CA course taking is evaluated following graduation, with a comparison of CA courses left by grads versus getting CA courses left after 12th grade is finished because grads are not able to finish the Foundation level. Nevertheless, the achievement of the Intermediate and final, as well as the obligatory internships, still demand a fairly long and intensive effort. Consequently, the total time it currently takes to graduate and obtain a CA status is about 3-3.5 years. This timeline is shorter than 4.5 years of students enrolled post-Class 12th via the CPT Route.
1. Intermediate (IPCC): Graduate students need 6-9 months to complete the Intermediate program.
2. Articleship: The mandatory articleship training lasts for 3 years.
3. CA Final: After completing the articleship a student is prepared to appear for the CA Final exams which take around 6 months to complete.
CA Foundation
For the passing out students, it is not mandatory to clear the level of CA Foundation and they directly go to the intermediate level. However, it is also useful to know at what level that is, as that is the basis of the CA course.
Foundation level consists of four papers on topics including Principles of Accounting, Business Laws, Economics, and Mathematics. It is the entry point for the students joining the course after completing Class 12th. While exempt from this stage, it may be beneficial for subjects at the foundation level to be examined in that strong fundamental knowledge may be built before moving on to Intermediate level topics.
Tips for Preparation
Planning and preparing for the CA after graduation involves concentration, discipline and a good study plan. Arguably, the Direct Entry Route is convenient, but it entails that the students adopt the Intermediate syllabus, which is a must if the student himself is a beginner in the field of commerce. Graduates from commerce backgrounds like B.Com often find CA Intermediate easier to prepare for since many concepts overlap with their undergraduate syllabus.
1. Understand the Syllabus: Analyze the complete Intermediate syllabus and create a plan to make contact with all the subjects in a given amount of time.
2. Practice Regularly: Chartered Accountancy relies heavily on practice. Explaining the process of question formulation from past year’s papers for the mock tests conducted by ICAI.
3. Join Coaching Classes: If one does not come from a business background, it is advisable thereafter to register for subject-specific coaching classes such as Accounting and Taxation.
4. Use ICAI Study Material: Make the best use of study materials provided by ICAI (Institute of Cost Accountants of India) by itself for self-preparation.
5. Focus on Time Management: Achieve the right balance between your studies of exams and your article work efficiently.
CA After Graduation FAQs
Can I pursue a CA after graduation?
Yes, the Direct Entry Route is also available for students of the B.Com, BBA, B.Sc., and Engineering streams, etc. This allows to circumvent the CA Foundation and jump directly to the Intermediate level.
What is the eligibility for CA after graduation?
For the Intermediate course, candidates would have to achieve a minimum of 55% overall marks for commerce graduates and 60% overall marks for non-commerce graduates respectively for their respective study programs.
What is the CA course duration after graduation?
Course duration is estimated to be up to 3–3.5 years part-time for leakers recording Intermediate examination performance, articleship training, and Final examination.
What are the CA course fees after graduation?
The total cost of pursuing a CA after graduation, including registration fees, exam fees, and training costs, is around ₹50,000 to ₹60,000.
What is the average CA salary?
The average base salary for a well-qualified CA in India is between ₹6-8 lakhs per annum, and up to ₹10-12 lakhs per annum (or more), depending on the skills, and experience level of the candidate.
