The CA full form is Chartered Accountant. The chartered accountant provides a financial service professional with technical expertise in various areas such as accounting, audit, taxation and financial management and with responsibility for financial services. It will be seen, therefore, why this career cannot be undertaken light-heartedly – it demands, in equal measure hard work, training by practice and above all, professional etiquette. This article provides all the information that you are seeking about the CA full form in commerce, eligibility, syllabus, and career prospects. If you are determined to master the finance field, the CA course will be your stepping stone towards success.
CA Full Form
The full form of CA is Chartered Accountant. CAs are professional experts who are trained to manage financial records, conduct audits, and provide financial advice. In India, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) regulates CA qualifications and practices.
Chartered accountants can help businesses abide by tax regulations, maintain accurate record-keeping, and make informed decisions in financial matters. They are also involved in forensic accounting; that is, the detection of fraud and offering investment advice.
CA Eligibility Criteria
There are two main routes for admission in CA: the Foundation Route ( After the 12th) and the Direct Entry Route (After Graduation). The two paths take care of students with diverse academic backgrounds and qualifications. ICAI has announced the eligibility requirements for the May 2025 CA exams. Here is a more detailed explanation of each route.
CA Foundation Eligibility
It is the best course for students passing Class 12. To appear through this route, one must pass Class 12 and complete the four-month study period after admission to the CA course. Only after completing this period can a candidate sit in the Foundation examination.
As per the ICAI exams May 2025 requirement, Students are first registered with the Board of Studies, from which the whole journey commences. Thus, the process helps the student obtain all necessary study materials and aid in studying for the advanced level effectively. It is through this entry process that the students move on to CA programs to make an appropriate groundwork for the next level.
CA Direct Entry Eligibility
This Direct entry route is open for graduates and postgraduates. Candidates from the Commerce stream need to have an aggregate of 55% marks in their graduation or post-graduation. Moreover, candidates should have taken relevant subjects in their graduation such as Accounting, Auditing, Economics, Taxation, and Management.
Graduates and postgraduates from non-commerce streams are also eligible to apply, but with a minimum aggregate of 60% in their degrees.
Direct registration in the Intermediate course is allowed for candidates who have passed the intermediate-level exams of The Institute of Cost Accountants of India or The Institute of Company Secretaries of India. These candidates are exempt from qualifying for the Foundation exam.
Provisional registration is available to the students in their final year of graduation. For candidates in this period, ICITSS Orientation Course and Information Technology Training must be completed. Additionally, they must furnish their mark sheet or passing certificate of their final year examination within six months after appearing in their graduation examinations.
CA Course Syllabus
The CA syllabus has three levels: CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final Level. Below are the papers covered at each level along with marking schemes (officially known as skill assessment) of education and training at all levels of a CA degree:
CA Foundation Syllabus
CA Foundation is the entry point of Chartered Accountancy. This will introduce basic concepts in accounting, business laws, mathematics, and economics to help build a robust base for higher levels of the course. The course structure ensures the student develops analytic and problem-solving skills essential for them as CAs.
- Principles and Practices of Accounting
- Business Laws and Business Correspondence
- Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning
- Business Economics
| Papers | Topics |
| Paper 1 | Principles and practice of accounting |
| Paper 2 | Part 1: Business laws |
| Part 2: Business correspondence and reporting | |
| Paper 3 | Part 1: Business mathematics and logical reasoning |
| Part 2: Statistics | |
| Paper 4 | Part 1: Business economics |
| Part 2: Business and commercial knowledge |
CA Intermediate Syllabus (8 Papers, divided into two groups)
Group 1: Accounting. Corporate and Other Laws. Cost and Management Accounting. Taxation
Group 2: Advanced Accounting. Auditing and Assurance. Enterprise Information Systems. Financial Management.
| Groups | Subjects |
| Group 1 | Accounting |
| Corporate and Other Laws | |
| Cost and Management Accounting | |
| Taxation | |
| Group 2 | Financial Management |
| Auditing and Assurance | |
| Enterprise Information Systems | |
| Indirect Tax Laws |
CA Final Syllabus (8 Papers)
Group 1: Financial Reporting. Strategic Financial Management. Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics. Corporate and Economic Laws.
Group 2: Strategic Cost Management. Risk Management. Direct Tax Laws. Indirect Tax Laws.
| Groups | Subjects |
| Group 1 | Financial Reporting |
| Strategic Financial Management | |
| Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics | |
| Corporate and Economic Laws | |
| Group 2 | Strategic Cost Management |
| Risk Management | |
| Direct Tax Laws | |
| Indirect Tax Laws |
CA Institutes in India
There are several institutes that offer specialized coaching for CA aspirants.
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI): located in Noida.
- Private Coaching Centers: VSI Jaipur, Aldine CA, JK Shah Classes, Sriram Academy, Navkar Institute and CHAMPS (Chanakya Academy for Management and Professional Studies.)
Role and Responsibility of CA
CA Full Form programs provide opportunities for a rewarding and lucrative career. Graduates, after a Chartered Accountancy degree, can chart a course towards a good job. Generally, CAs specialize in one of the four key areas, which include audit and assurance, financial accounting and reporting, management accounting, or applied finance and taxation.
Depending on their area of specialization, CAs can undertake specific functions within a company, manage general accounting requirements, or work as freelancers offering their services to different clients. CAs are hired by both public and private sectors as they are responsible for several activities that help keep the day-to-day business operations of an organization alive.
Their duties include managing budgets, financial audits, giving financial advice, working with clients, individuals, and organizations, risk assessment, and tax planning advice, among other important responsibilities.
Career Options as CA
A CA course opens doors to various industries such as Taxation, Auditing, Accounting, Risk MAnagement and Investment Banking.
- Auditing and accounting: The finance reviews in businesses and auditors do organizations to ensure that every financial statement portrays exact results. Accountants’ tasks include tracking a company’s financial transactions and preparing its financial reports.
- Taxation: Tax accountants offer tax return preparations and taxing advice for business activities.
- Asset management: Asset managers oversee investment portfolios for a company
- Risk management: Risk managers identify and evaluate the risks faced by a business. They minimize the impact of those risks on the business.
- Consulting services: Most chartered accountants work as consultants and give financial and business advisory advice to clients.
- Information technology management: Information technology managers oversee a company’s information technology infrastructure. They develop and implement IT projects, ensuring that the firm’s IT systems are secure and efficient.
- Corporate finance: corporate finance managers are responsible for handling a company’s financial statements, and prepare reports for the shareholders. They are also responsible for mergers and acquisitions, besides helping a firm raise capital.
- Investment banking: investment bankers facilitate a company raising capital through issues and sale of securities.
CA Salary in India
Salaries for a Chartered Accountant in India differ based on job profile and the company he or she is working for. An average CA will earn around ₹6 to ₹8 lakh per year. Companies like IBM, Ranbaxy, Sony, TCS, and Infosys pay other CA’s between ₹20 lakh to ₹30 lakh per annum. The following table gives the details about salary for CAs based on their job profile:
| Job profile | Salary Per Annum (average) |
| Finance officer | Rs. 35 Lakhs |
| Account executive | Rs. 25 Lakhs |
| Accountant | Rs. 25 Lakhs |
| Finance controller | Rs. 19 Lakhs |
| Finance manager | Rs. 10 Lakhs |
| Chartered Accountant | Rs. 7.25 Lakhs |
| Financial analyst | Rs. 6 Lakhs |
| Assistant account manager | Rs. 5 Lakhs |
| Senior account executive | Rs. 4 Lakhs |
| Senior accountant | Rs. 3.5 Lakhs |
| Business analyst | Rs. 4 Lakhs |
| Account assistant | Rs. 2 Lakhs |
How to Become a CA?
Here’s the step-by-step guide to becoming a Chartered Accountant:
- Registration in CA Foundation after Class 12: CA After 12th, Start the journey by getting registered for CA Foundation with ICAI. Ensure that the four-month study period is completed before the examination.
- Clear CA Foundation Exam and pursue the Intermediate level: After clearing the Foundation exam, one may enroll for the CA Intermediate course. This level consists of eight papers, where the student is given in-depth knowledge of accounting as well as taxation.
- Complete CA Intermediate and join articleship training: Pass the Intermediate level and then join a three-year articleship training. This article training develops the practical accounting and auditing skills of the trainee.
- Complete Articleship Training and Registration for CA Final: Finish the articleship period and register for CA Final courses. This prepares you for advanced subjects and professional challenges.
- Clear the CA Final Exam to emerge as a Chartered Accountant: Pass the Final exam to culminate in achieving the designation of Chartered Accountant. This has been the fruit of your labor to attain the position of Chartered Accountant.
CA Full Form FAQs
1. What is the CA full form?
The CA full form is Chartered Accountant.
2. How much is a CA salary per month in India?
A newly qualified CA gets about ₹50,000 to ₹70,000 on average per month. An experienced CA gets even more than ₹1,00,000 a month.
3. What does a CA do?
The CA’s job encompasses auditing, taxation, financial management, and consultancy for an organization to keep on track and profit-making.
4. What is articleship in CA?
Articleship is the mandatory 3 years of practical training under the supervision of a qualified CA which gives hands-on experience in the real-world financial and accounting environment.
5. What is CA exam?
The CA exam is the professional examination conducted by ICAI comprising three levels that are Foundation, Intermediate, and Final to attain Chartered Accountants.
