Are you considering pursuing a CA After Graduation? If yes, you’re headed for one of the most prominent and fulfilling financial occupations. Becoming a chartered accountant opens up opportunities in corporate finance, taxation, financial planning, auditing, and other areas.
It’s never too late to pursue a CA After Graduation, even though many students start their journey right after school. Everything you need to know about getting ready for CA After Graduation will be covered in this blog, including eligibility requirements, important procedures, and timelines to help you succeed.
Path to Becoming a Chartered Accountant
In India, there are three primary steps to becoming a chartered accountant (CA): passing the CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final exams. For recent graduates, however, the direct entry route offers a more effective path. By taking this path, you can enroll for the CA Intermediate exam straight away and skip the Foundation exam.
Those who are seeking CA After Graduation will find this choice perfect since it speeds up the process of becoming a certified public accountant and saves time. In order to advance their CA qualification without taking the Foundation phase, graduates who fulfill the necessary qualifying requirements may register for the Intermediate exam.
Eligibility Criteria for CA After Graduation
You must fulfill the following requirements in order to pursue a career in certified public accounting after earning your degree:
Commerce Graduates: You must have received at least a 55% on your graduation exam if you hold a commerce degree (B.Com, BBA, etc.).
Non-Commerce Graduates: You must have at least 60% of your degree from a non-commerce discipline if you graduated with a B.Sc., B.A., engineering, etc.
CS or CWA Intermediate Qualification: Graduates who have passed the Intermediate exams for Company Secretary (CS) or Cost and Works Accountant (CWA) can also enroll directly in the CA Intermediate level.
Note: After finishing your 12th grade, you can still sit for the CA Foundation exam even if you meet the requirements.
Steps to Prepare for CA After Graduation
After confirming that you are eligible, follow this detailed instructions to get ready for the CA exams after graduation:
1. Complete ICITSS Training
You must finish the Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS) prior to starting your articleship. The communication, soft, and IT skills that are critical to your career as a chartered accountant are covered in this required course.
2. Register for CA Intermediate
After passing the ICITSS, you may register to take the CA Intermediate exam. This is the CA course’s second level. You will be eligible to take the CA Intermediate exam twice a year, in May and November, after registering on the official ICAI website.
Two groups make up the CA Intermediate exam, and you have the option of taking one group at a time or both groups. A lot of students would rather finish one group at a time in order to better manage their workload.
3. Start Articleship
You must start your three-year articleship with a CA firm or a practicing chartered accountant at the same time. The articleship is an essential part of the CA qualifying process and gives you practical experience. Once you have registered for the CA Intermediate exam, you can begin your articleship.
However, you cannot take the CA Intermediate exams unless you have completed at least nine months of articleship. Since real-world experience is equally as vital as theoretical understanding, this is a crucial step.
4. Clear CA Intermediate Exams
You can sit for the CA Intermediate exams after completing at least nine months of articleship. You must complete both or just one of the exam groups. Since the CA Intermediate covers a wide range of topics and the tests are extremely difficult, students must prepare well.
To make sure they are ready, many students choose coaching sessions, independent study materials, or a mix of the two.
5. Complete Remaining Articleship & AICITSS
You must finish the remaining time of your articleship and enroll in the Advanced ICITSS (AICITSS) course after passing the CA Intermediate exam. The more complex AICITSS program emphasizes professional ethics, management techniques, and other crucial facets of the CA field.
6. Register for CA Final
After passing the CA Intermediate exams and finishing the AICITSS and articleship, you can register to take the CA Final exam. In the CA qualification process, the final and most significant test is the CA Final.
Similar to the Intermediate exam, there are two groups on the CA Final. You will be recognized as a chartered accountant if you have passed the CA Final Exams.
Time Required to Complete CA After Graduation
CA After Graduation usually takes 3.5 to 4 years to finish. You enroll in CA Intermediate after graduating, complete a three-year articleship, and then take the CA Final exams. It is a flexible yet structured process, with the duration changing depending on exam attempts and individual circumstances.
Direct Entry vs CA Foundation Route
The CA Foundation Route for students after the 12th grade and the Direct Entry Route for graduates are briefly discussed here:
| Route | Duration | Eligibility | Exemptions |
| Direct Entry Route | 3 years | Graduation with 55% (Commerce) or 60% (Non-Commerce) | No need to appear for Foundation exam |
| CA Foundation Route | 4.5 years | After completing Class 12 | Must clear Foundation exam |
Final Consideration
A professional path that is both demanding and rewarding pursuing CA After Graduation provides an enormous number of chances in business and finance. Through the Direct Entry Route, graduates can apply for the CA Intermediate level without taking the CA Foundation exam.
If you pass the tests on your first attempt, this simpler route allows you to complete the course in roughly three years. You can successfully complete the stages listed in this blog to become a chartered accountant: finishing ICITSS, enrolling in CA Intermediate, starting your articleship, and passing the examinations.
To help you perform well on exams, Lecture Kharido provides CA, CS, and CMA candidates with excellent online lectures, professional advice, and reasonably priced study resources. Start your journey to success today by enrolling in our courses and preparing with the best!
FAQs
Start by understanding the CA course structure (Foundation, Intermediate, Final). Enroll in coaching, make a study schedule, and focus on building strong concepts and time management.
In order to become a chartered accountant, a graduate must complete the ICITSS training, pass intermediate exams, complete a three-year articleship (now reduced to two years), complete an optional nine to twelve months of industrial training, and finally pass all of the CA final exams. This process takes about 4.5 years.
There is no age restriction on trying anything new. All you need is a little courage. If you have the motivation and consistently study for the test, you can undoubtedly finish CA by the time you are thirty.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) administers the CA Foundation Exam three times annually. You can make six attempts throughout the three-year validity period of the CA Foundation registration.