CAs in demand

While the ICAI allows students to pursue their CA just after completing school, it is advisable to get a degree first.

Chartered Accountancy offers innumerable career opportunities as every business needs the support of a Chartered Accountant in some way or the other. It also opens up several avenues in the corporate field such as audit, taxation, accountancy and financial management.

Eligibility

After completing class XII, the first step is to enrol with The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and crack the Common Proficiency Test (CPT). It is not true that CA course is only for students with a commerce background. In fact, students with a science background have performed extremely well in the CA examinations, says R.Nagarajan, Course Director of Sri Sankara Coaching Centre, Chennai, who had served as the chairman of southern India regional council of ICAI in the past.

Roadmap

The ICAI is constantly working towards improving the quality of professionals and has introduced a few changes to the curriculum over the last few years. According to the new scheme, aspiring students can start pursuing the course immediately after school. They no longer have to wait to complete graduation to start preparing for it. The duration of articleship training has also been reduced. Now, one can become a chartered accountant in just four years.

The course is divided into three stages: common proficiency test (CPT), integrated professional competence examination (IPC) and final. A simultaneous training period of three years is also included, where a student is required to get trained on practical aspects under a qualified chartered accountant.

Mr. Nagarajan says that it is advisable for students pursuing the CA course to complete graduation through correspondence, as attending regular college might delay completion of the CA course.

Job scene

There are plenty of career opportunities for students pursuing the CA course. Those who are unable to continue this course have the option of taking up accounting technician course immediately after CPT.

“There is a huge demand for qualified chartered accountants in the job market, as an auditor, financial planner, tax planner, teacher, investment manager, and so on. Since the introduction of changes in various statutes in our country, the need for CAs has increased and it seems the trend will not decline anytime in the near future,” say Mr. Nagarajan.