CA Course Details After 12th: Everything About Fees, Admission Process, Duration, Career Opportunities, & Much More!

Chartered Accountancy can be the ideal career for you if you’ve always loved maths and data but didn’t have an aptitude for programming. Many students choose to enroll in this course but only a few succeed. It should come as no surprise that one of the most prestigious titles in India is that of a CA.  Let’s now discuss the CA course details after the 12th in brief.

The course is governed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). ICAI, a statutory body, oversees and upholds the CA profession. To attain this designation, candidates can follow either the Foundation Course Route, accessible after Class 12, or the Direct Entry Route for those with prior graduation. CA course is a multi-faceted journey into the world of finance and accounting. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about the art of financial stewardship.

But do you know?

In the CA Final exams held in May 2023, the pass percentages reflected a mixed outcome. For Group I, out of 65,294 candidates, only 6176 managed to pass, resulting in a pass percentage of 9.46%. In contrast, Group II saw a higher success rate with 21.6%, as 13520 out of 62,679 candidates passed. For candidates attempting both groups, the pass percentage stood at 9.42%, with 3090 out of 32,907 clearing the exams.

This means the competition is huge! And we understand researching and understanding each aspect at this age might be tough for you! Here in this blog, we will cover full CA details after the 12th standard that you need to know before you embark on your path if you are thinking about choosing Chartered Accountancy as a career. 

Now, let’s have a look at the fundamental definition of Chartered Accountancy (CA).

What’s new about the CA course?

According to a new law, students who complete Class X are now eligible to enroll with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for the foundation CA course, which will enable candidates to become chartered accountants six months sooner.

Registration after Class 10^th  is permitted, but admission won’t be regularised until the student passes Class 12^th. Before, students could only sign up for the course after their Class 12^th exams, and they could only take the foundation exam after a four-month study period. But now with this new rule, they get study time and can finish the preparation while pursuing Class 11^th and 12^th.

Also, read news around: CA Exam Not Postponed

Details of CA course after 12^th offered by ICAI

Here’s an overview of the CA course offered by the ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India):

Particulars	Overview
Name of the Course	CA
Full Form	Chartered Accountancy
Type of Degree	Professional Degree
Governing Institute	ICAI
Total Number	Around 2,84,000 members and 8,00,000 students across the globe
Eligibility Criteria	After Class 12th: Foundation Entry RouteAfter Graduation: Direct Entry Route
CA course levels	CA FoundationCA Intermediate CA Final
CA course Fees	The CA Foundation course costs INR 9,800, while CA Intermediate fees for both groups are INR 18,000. CA Final varies: Group 1 – INR 13,000, Group 2 – INR 22,000.
Official Website	https://www.icai.org/

Eligibility to pursue CA course after 12^th 

In India, the journey to becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA) involves two main routes: the Foundation Route and the Direct Entry Route. Each path has specific eligibility criteria that aspiring CAs must meet to pursue their career goals. Let’s delve into the details of these routes and what it takes to become a CA in India.

Foundation Route Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must have completed Class 12.
• A four-month study period post-CA registration is mandatory to appear for the Foundation examination.

Direct Entry Route Eligibility Criteria

For Graduates/Postgraduates from The Institute of Cost Accountants of India or The Institute of Company Secretaries of India:

• Eligible to directly register for the Intermediate course, skipping the Foundation level.
• Must meet specific criteria to qualify for CA in India.

Educational Qualifications for Commerce Graduates/Postgraduates

• Need a minimum of 55 percent aggregate or equivalent in relevant subjects.
• Subjects like Accounting, Auditing, Corporate Law, Economics, etc., are crucial.

Educational Qualifications for Non-Commerce Graduates/Postgraduates:

• Require at least 60 percent aggregate or equivalent from a recognized University.
• Subjects from open universities are considered, broadening the scope for non-commerce graduates.

Provisional Registration

• Final-year graduates can provisionally register for the Intermediate course.
• Registration regularization depends on submitting final year mark sheets or passing certificates within six months of graduation.
• Completion of ICITSS (Orientation Course and Information Technology) is mandatory during provisional registration.

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Key Steps to Becoming a CA in India

Here are some of the steps you can consider while pursuing a CA course: 

• Choose between the Foundation or Direct Entry route based on eligibility.
• Complete registration with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
• Enroll in coaching institutes or self-study to prepare for Foundation or Intermediate exams.
• Focus on subjects like Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Law, etc., as per the exam syllabus.
• Attend Foundation or Intermediate exams as scheduled by ICAI.
• Clear all required papers to proceed to the next level.
• After passing the Intermediate level, undergo a 3-year articleship training under a practicing CA.
• Gain practical experience in accounting, auditing, taxation, and related areas.
• Enroll for the Final course after completing the articleship.
• Prepare rigorously for the Final examination covering advanced topics in accounting, auditing, and financial management.
• Upon passing the Final exam and completing other requirements, become a member of ICAI.
• Start practicing as a Chartered Accountant or explore job opportunities in various sectors.

Now, let’s understand… 

CA course duration after the 12^th

“How many years course is CA after the 12^th?” is one of the most often asked questions regarding CA Course Details after the 12th. You must have completed at least your 12th grade and have at least 4.5 to 5 years available to complete your CA course. The CA foundation course should be taken first by the candidate. The applicant becomes eligible for Intermediate after nine months. After Intermediate Group I, you are qualified for an articleship. Additionally, students have the option of enrolling in the intermediate program or the CA program immediately following their high school graduation. The decision made by the pupil will determine everything.

After 12th grade, the following steps and duration of the CA course will be followed:

• It will take four months to complete the foundation level after graduating from high school (The mandatory study period between registration and examination date is 4 months)
• It will take 8 months to go from the Foundation level to the Intermediate level (The study period between registration and examination date is 8 months)
• It takes 3.5 years from passing Intermediate to passing Finals * (The articleship period is for 3 years, and preparation leave taken to prepare for finals examination is assumed to be 5 months)

CA Course Registration Fees in Detail 

In comparison to the price of other courses in India, the CA program is one of the more affordable professional programs. The whole cost of the CA course in India, including ICAI fees, books, study materials, coaching, and tuition costs, is not more than Rs. 4 lakh.

A detailed fee structure for the same is provided below.

CA Foundation Fees

Below is the fee structure of the CA foundation level:

Particulars	For Indian Students (INR)	For Foreign Students (US$)
Cost of Foundation Prospectus	200	20
Foundation Registration Fees*	9000	700
Subscription of Student’s Journal (Optional) per year	200	20
Subscription of Member’s Journal (Optional) per year	400	40
Total	9800	780

* For students registering from Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, and the North-Eastern states a fee of just 2250/-. They are required to submit self-attested documents, including a Domicile Certificate and Proof of Identity (Aadhaar Card/Passport/Voter ID).

CA Intermediate Fees

Below is the fee structure of the CA Intermediate level:

Particulars	For Indian Students (INR) – Both Groups	For Foreign Students (US$) – Both Groups
Registration Fees	15000 (to be paid once)	–
Students’ Activities Fee	2000	–
Registration fee as articled assistant	1000	–
Total	18,000	1000

Important points:

1. Concession for Specific Regions: Students from Union Territories of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, and North-East States can benefit from a 75% fee concession for the CA Intermediate registration course. This concession initially applied from September 20, 2019, to March 31, 2022, but it has been extended until March 31, 2025. Importantly, this extension now includes students from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
2. Wards of Deceased Members: As of April 1, 2022, the intermediate course fee concession of 75% is also available for the wards of deceased members. This initiative aims to provide financial relief and support to eligible candidates pursuing their CA Intermediate journey.

For more information – https://resource.cdn.icai.org/75399exam60944-final.pdf

CA Final Fees

The CA Final Exam fees for:  

• Indian centers are INR 1,800 for a single group and INR 3,300 for both groups. 
• For overseas centers (excluding Kathmandu), it’s USD 325 for a single group and USD 550 for both groups. 
• In Kathmandu, the fees are INR 2,200 for a single group and INR 4,000 for both groups. 

These fees are essential for candidates aspiring to pursue the Chartered Accountancy qualification in India and abroad.

Registration process for CA course after 12^th 

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has simplified and modernized the registration process for individuals aspiring to become Chartered Accountants. The streamlined procedure ensures efficiency and convenience for prospective students.

Foundation Entry – Registration Process for foundation course

Below is a comprehensive guide outlining the step-by-step registration process for the CA Foundation Course.

• Go to the official ICAI portal: https://www.icai.org/post/students-services.
• Locate and click on the “Entry level forms [Foundation and Intermediate (Direct Entry)]” link.
• Ensure you possess a valid email address and mobile number for the OTP-based registration process.
• Fill out the required information accurately in the registration forms.
• Submit self-attested soft copies of necessary documents through the portal.
• This centralized system eliminates the need for physical visits and manual document submissions, enhancing efficiency.
• Upon form and document submission, ICAI verifies the provided information and documents.
• Once verified, your registration for the CA Foundation Course will be confirmed.
• After confirmation, receive instructions on how to order study material through icai-cds.org, the centralized distribution system portal.

Direct Entry – Registration Process for Intermediate Course

Below is a detailed guide outlining the step-by-step registration process for the CA Intermediate Course.

• Visit the ICAI Self-Service Portal: https://www.icai.org/post/students-services.
• Submit self-attested documents online, eliminating the need for physical visits.
• Fill out the Online Registration Form available on the Entry level forms page for Direct Entry students.
• This comprehensive form covers both Foundation and Intermediate (Direct Entry) registrations.
• For students transitioning from the Foundation route to Direct Entry, the Self-Service Portal facilitates the conversion process seamlessly.
• Upon successful registration, order study materials through the Centralized Distribution System (CDS) Portal at icai-cds.org.
• Ensure you have all the necessary resources to embark on your CA Intermediate journey.

CA Course Subjects and Syllabus

The three tiers of the CA test, each with a set of papers, are now known to us. Now let’s examine the CA test courses for each level and the marks allotted to each paper in each level in more detail.

Papers in the CA Foundation, Intermediate, and Final Exam:

There are 4 papers with a total of 100 marks in the first level, CA Foundation. There are 3 hours allocated for each paper to complete the questions. Students must score 40% in each paper with an average of 50% throughout.

CA Foundation Syllabus (Level 1)

The CA foundation comprises of following major subjects:

Paper 1: Accounting – 100 Marks

2nd Paper: Business Law, Business Correspondence & Reporting– 100 Marks

Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude – 100 Marks

• Part A: Business Mathematics (40 Marks)
• Part B: Logical Reasoning (20 Marks)
• Part C: Statistics (40 Marks)

Part 4: Business Economics (100 Marks)

CA Intermediate Papers (Level 2)

The CA intermediate comprises of following major subjects:

Paper 1: Accounting (100 Marks)

2nd Paper: Corporate & Other Laws (100 Marks))

• Part 1: Company Law (60 Marks)
• Part 2: Other Laws (40 Marks)

Paper 3: Cost & Management Accounting (100 Marks)

Paper 4: Taxation (100 Marks)

• Section A: Income Tax Law (60 Marks)
• Section B: Goods & Services Tax (40 Marks)

Paper 5: Advanced Accounting (100 Marks)

Paper 6: Auditing & Assurance (100 Marks)

Paper 7: Enterprise Information Systems & Strategic Management (100 Marks)

• Section A: Enterprise Information Systems (50 Marks)
• Section B: Strategic Management (50 Marks)

Paper 8: Financial Management & Economics for Finance (100 Marks)

• Section A: Financial Management (60 Marks)
• Section B: Economics for Finance (40 Marks)

Important Things to Consider Regarding CA Intermediate Syllabus

For CA Intermediate 2023, an updated exam pattern for Papers 2, 4, 6, and 7 is in place. These papers will now comprise 30% objective-type questions, including MCQs of 1 and 2 marks. The remaining 70% of the paper will feature subjective-type questions, necessitating descriptive answers. This change underscores the importance of a balanced approach to exam preparation, covering both objective and subjective aspects of the syllabus. For more information refer to this official website – https://www.icai.org/post.html?post_id=15871

CA Final Papers (Level-3)

The CA Final comprises of following major subjects:

Paper 1: Financial Reporting (100 Marks)

Paper 2: Strategic Financial Management (100 Marks)

Paper 3: Advanced Auditing & Professional Ethics (100 Marks)

Paper 4: Corporate & Economic Laws (100 Marks)

• Section A: Corporate Law (70 Marks)
• Section B: Economic Law (30 Marks)

Paper 5: Strategic Cost Management & Performance Evaluation (100 Marks)

Paper 6: Elective Subjects (100 Marks)

• Risk Management
• International Taxation
• Financial Services & Capital Markets
• Economic Laws
• Multidisciplinary Case Study
• Global Financial Reporting Standards

Paper 7: Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation (100 Marks)

• Part 1: Direct Tax Laws (70 Marks)
• Part 2: International Taxation (30 Marks)

Paper 8: Indirect Tax Laws (100 Marks)

• Part 1: Goods & Service Tax (75 Marks)
• Part 2: Customs & FTP (25 Marks)

Career in Chartered Accountancy (CA)

Let’s look at some of the best career options and possibilities after CA now that you’ve learned everything there is to know about CA Course Details after the 12^th.

Chartered accountants have diverse employment opportunities across various sectors, including public and private limited companies, financial institutions, capital market services, legal and auditing firms, and more. They can work in publicly or privately owned chartered accounting firms, as well as in large consulting firms like Deloitte, KPMG, and Barclays. Government sectors such as NRHM, GAIL, Metro Rail Corporation LTD, and LIC also offer positions for chartered accountants. Additionally, they can find roles in public and private sector banks like Regional Rural Banks, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, and mid to large-scale companies across different industries.

Some of the common specialized job roles of CAs are along with the average salary in India:

Job Profile	Average Salary
Chartered Accountants	Rs. 9.6 LPA
Auditor	Rs. 3.7 LPA
Financial Managers	Rs. 17.3 LPA
Chief Financial Officers	Rs. 46.1 LPA
GST Experts	Rs. 3 LPA
Tax Manager	Rs. 6 LPA
Consultant	Rs. 3.8 LPA
Tax Advisor	Rs. 3.2 LPA
Management Accountant	Rs. 8.5 LPA
Business Analyst	Rs. 9.2 LPA

Epilogue! 

So, that’s all about the post-12th CA course details that you need to know before starting your journey to become a CA. Looking for expert guidance in choosing the right course after the 11th and 12th? Look no further than iDreamCareer! Our comprehensive career guidance product provides personalized insights, aptitude assessments, and expert counseling to help you make informed decisions. With our in-depth knowledge of experts, you can select the right course and college. Our experts will assist you in selecting the perfect path for your future. Visit our website iDreamCareer to embark on your journey towards a successful career!

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