Chartered Accountancy (CA) Course: Fees 2023, Admission, Top Colleges, & Course Levels

Updated on Mar 31, 2022 11:43 IST
Parul Thapa

Parul ThapaSenior Executive Content

CA or Chartered Accountancy course has three levels – Foundation, Intermediate and Final. CA Foundation course is the first level that candidates have to clear. Intermediate is the second level and Final is the third level that a candidate needs to clear to be certified as a Chartered Accountant.

One can pursue CA course after class 12 or after Graduation. In case a student chooses to pursue CA course after Class 12, he/she will have to register for CA Foundation course. If a student decides to pursue CA course after graduation, he/she can directly register for CA Intermediate course. The CA exams are conducted twice in a year – May and December. Candidates can take the exams multiple times, until they clear course level. Read below to know all about the Chartered Accountant course, including level wise course syllabus and assessment.

DFP-Banner

Chartered Accountancy: Course and Syllabus

The Chartered Accountancy course can be considered as a part-time education mode as there are no regular classes. After registering for the CA course, candidates study from the study material provided by the ICAI for a few months before appearing for the exam. In the CA Foundation course, one gets a four-month study period, whereas in the Intermediate course, one gets an eight-month study period.

After completing CA Intermediate, one has to register for three-year practical training for Final course. One has to appear in the exams for Final course within the last six months of practical training. Below is the syllabus covered in each CA course and marking schemes (officially known as skill assessment) of education and training at all levels of CA courses:

Also Read: ICAI CA Exams-Dates, Registration, Fees, Eligibility

CA Course: Foundation Level

The CA Foundation course has four papers. Check below the subjects and topics included in the four papers of CA Foundation course:

CA Foundation Paper

CA Foundation Topics 

Paper 1 

Principles and Practice of Accounting

Paper 2 

Business Laws & Business Correspondence and Reporting

Section A: Business Laws

Section B: Business Correspondence and Reporting

Paper 3

Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning & Statistics

Part 1: Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning

Part 2: Statistics

Paper 4

Business Economics & Business and Commercial Knowledge

Part 1: Business Economics

Part 2: Business and Commercial Knowledge

CA Foundation Course – Marking Scheme (Skill Assessment)

In CA Foundation, candidates are assessed on their comprehension and application skills. Check the marking scheme of ICAI CA Foundation course exam below:

CA Foundation Papers

Level I: Comprehension & Knowledge

Level II: Application

1

Principles and Practice of Accounting

5%-20%

80%-95%

2A

Business Laws

50%-65%

35%-50%

2B

Business Correspondence and Reporting

100%

-

3

Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning & Statistics

-

100%

4I

Business Economics

40%-50%

50%-60%

4II

Business and Commercial Knowledge

100%

-

CA Course: Intermediate Level

The CA Intermediate course is divided into two groups. Both the groups have four papers each. One has to pass both the groups of CA Intermediate course to move to the next level, i.e. Final course. Check below the subjects and topics included in the eight papers of ICAI CA Intermediate course:

CA Intermediate Groups

CA Intermediate Paper Name

Group I

Paper 1: Accounting

-

Paper 2: Corporate and other Laws

Part 1: Company Law

Part 2: Other Laws

Paper 3: Cost and Management Accounting

-

Paper 4: Taxation

Section A: Income Tax Law

Section B: Indirect Taxes

Group II

Paper 5: Advanced Accounting

-

Paper 6: Auditing and Assurance

-

Paper 7: Enterprise Information Systems & Strategic Management

Section A: Enterprise Information Systems

Section B: Strategic Management

Paper 8: Financial Management and Economics for Finance

Section A: Financial Management

Section B: Economics for Finance

CA Intermediate Course Marking Scheme (Skill Assessment)

In CA Intermediate course too, assessment is made on the candidate’s comprehension and application skills. Given below is the marking scheme of ICAI CA Intermediate Course Exam:

CA Intermediate Papers

Level I

Comprehension & Knowledge

Level II

Analysis & Application

1

Accounting

5%-15%

85%-95%

2

Part I: Company Law

40%-55%

45%-60%

2

Part II: Other Laws

35%-55%

45%-65%

3

Cost and Management Accounting

20%-30%

70%-80%

4A

Income-tax law

5%-20%

80%-95%

4B

Indirect Taxes

20%-45%

55%-80%

5

Advanced Accounting

5%-15%

85%-95%

6

Auditing and Assurance

30%-55%

45%-70%

7A

Enterprise Information Systems

40%-65%

35%-60%

7B

Strategic Management

50%-70%

30%-50%

8A

Financial Management

20%-30%

70%-80%

8B

Economics for Finance

60%-80%

20%-40%

DFP-Banner

CA Course: Final Level

The CA Final course also comprises two groups. Both the groups have four papers each. One has to clear both the course groups to clear the Final level. Given below are the subjects and topics included in the eight papers of CA Final course:

CA Final Groups

CA Final Paper Name

Group I

 

Paper 1: Financial Reporting

-

Paper 2: Strategic Financial Management

-

Paper 3: Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics

-

Paper 4: Corporate and Economic Laws

Part I: Corporate Laws

Part II: Economic Laws

Group II

 

 

Paper 5: Strategic Cost Management and Performance Evaluation

 -

Paper 6: Elective Paper

List of Elective Papers:

6A Risk Management

6B Financial Services and Capital Markets

6C International Taxation

6D Economic Laws

6E Global Financial Reporting Standards

6F Multi-disciplinary Case Study

Paper 7: Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation

Part 1: Direct Tax Laws

Part 2: International Taxation

Paper 8: Indirect Tax Laws

Part 1: Goods and Services Tax

Part 2: Customs and FTP

Skill Assessment Final Course – Marking Scheme

In CA Final course, candidates are assessed on their comprehension, application and evaluation skills. Given below is the marking scheme of ICAI CA Final Exam:

CA Final Papers

Level I

Comprehension & Knowledge

Level II

Analysis & Application

dLevel III

Evaluation & Synthesis

1

Financial Reporting

5%-15%

55%-85%

15%-25%

2

Strategic Financial Management

10%-20%

20%-40%

50%-60%

3

Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics

15%-25%

40%-70%

20%-30%

4

Corporate & Economic Laws

Part I: Corporate Law

15%-25%

40%-55%

30%-35%

Part II: Economic Laws

30%-50%

50%-70%

5

Strategic Cost Management and Performance Evaluation

10%-15%

45%-55%

35%-40%

7

Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation

Part I: Direct Tax Laws

5%-10%

55%-75%

20%-35%

Part II: International Taxation

40%-50%

50%-60%

8

Indirect Tax Laws

Part I: Goods and Services Tax


10%-30%


40%-70%


20%-30%

Part II: Customs & FTP

20%-40%

40%-70%

10%-20%

Also Read: 

FAQs on CA Courses

Q: What are the three levels of a CA course?

A: The three levels of a CA course are:
  • CA Foundation
  • CA Intermediate
  • CA Final

Q: How can I pursue a CA course?

A: To pursue a CA course in India, one needs to register for it with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in India (ICAI).  One can register and fill the CA Foundation form to start with the course.

Q: What is the eligibility criteria for a Chartered Accountancy course?

A: The minimum eligibility criteria to pursue Chartered Accountancy is class 12 or equivalent from a recognised examination board or university. Candidates must have scored a minimum of 50 per cent in aggregate in class 12.

Q: Which institutes offer CA courses in India?

A: In India, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) offers the CA course. It is a statutory body established by the government for regulating the profession of Chartered Accountancy in the country. 

Q: Can I pursue CA as a profession without completing CA Final course?

A: No, one can pursue CA as a profession only after completing both the groups of CA Final course. The ICAI will award the certificate for professional practice only after the candidate clears the CA Final course.

Q: What is the duration of the CA course?

A: There is no fixed duration for completing the CA course. Candidates can continue to make attempts until they clear all the courses of the CA programme. However, on an average, candidates take five years to complete the course.

Q: When is the examination held for CA courses?

A: Examinations for CA courses are held twice in a year. The first phase examinations are held in May and the second phased examinations are held in December. Candidates can appear for the examinations in a phase of their choice, as per their preparation level.

Q: I have an MBA degree. Can I pursue the CA course?

A: Yes, you are eligible to pursue the CA course. Since, you have graduation and post graduation degree, you can directly register for Intermediate level.

Q: What are the main subjects in the CA course?

A:The main subjects in the CA course include Principles and Practice of Accounting, Business Laws, Statistics, Business and Commercial Knowledge, Accounting, Corporate and other Laws, Taxation, Auditing and Assurance, Financial Management, Financial Reporting, Corporate and Economic Laws, and Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation.

Q: Is it mandatory to clear CA Foundation course to register for CA Intermediate course?

A: No, if a candidate chooses to pursue the CA course after graduation, they don’t need to register for the CA Foundation course.

Q: How much does a CA earn in India?

A: The average salary of a CA in India is INR 7-8 lakhs per annum. The earning rises multifold with more experience and clients.

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Chartered Accountancy. Students interested in pursuing a career on Chartered Accountancy, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

9 Dec ' 24

CA Inter Jan 2025 Mock Test - Series 2 Paper 1

10 Dec ' 24

CA Inter Jan 2025 Mock Test - Series 2 Paper 2

13 Nov ' 24

CA Final November 2024 Group II Paper III

11 Nov ' 24

CA Final November 2024 Group II Paper II

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Counselling Start

TENTATIVE

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Result

TENTATIVE

20 Dec ' 24

CA Foundation Mock Test - Series 1 Paper 1

21 Dec ' 24

CA Foundation Mock Test - Series 1 Paper 2

Most Popular Courses

Following are the most popular Chartered Accountancy courses, based on alumni reviews. Explore these reviews to choose the best course in Chartered Accountancy.

Popular Chartered Accountancy Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Chartered Accountancy Colleges in India. Learn more about these Chartered Accountancy colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
4.0
3.2 LPA

#45 The Week

1 Course
3.3 L
3.65 LPA

#57 The Week

2.18 L
3.83 LPA

#66 Outlook

3.45 L
3.2 LPA

#80 The Week

3 LPA

#86 The Week

5.25 L
5.15 LPA

Popular Private Chartered Accountancy Colleges in India

7.8 L
1 Course
5.1 L

Chartered Accountancy Applications open. Apply Now

3.45 L
3.2 LPA

#80 The Week

4.0
3.2 LPA

#45 The Week

1 Course
3.3 L
3.65 LPA

#57 The Week

2.18 L
3.83 LPA

#66 Outlook

Popular Chartered Accountancy UG Courses

Following are the most popular Chartered Accountancy UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Chartered Accountancy PG Courses

Following are the most popular Chartered Accountancy PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Find insights & recommendations on colleges and exams that you won't find anywhere else

On Shiksha, get access to

  • 63k Colleges
  • 962 Exams
  • 606k Reviews
Courses you may be interested in