CareersHow to become a chartered accountant
CA is a professional course you can do alongside college, at low cost. What it costs instead is years of steady effort.
What the work is
Chartered accountants audit accounts, handle tax, and advise businesses on money. Company secretaries look after company law and governance. Cost accountants study what things cost to make and how to control it.
The path, step by step
- After Class 12 in any stream, register with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and pass the Foundation examination. Graduates can enter directly at the Intermediate level.
- Pass the Intermediate examination.
- Do the practical training, called articleship, under a practising chartered accountant.
- Pass the Final examination and apply for membership of ICAI.
Examinations and bodies
| Examination or body | What it is for |
|---|---|
| ICAI examinations | Foundation, Intermediate and Final, held by ICAI itself. There is no separate entrance test by another body. |
| ICSI | The Institute of Company Secretaries of India runs the CS course, starting with CSEET. |
| ICMAI | The Institute of Cost Accountants of India runs the CMA course. |
How long it takes
About four to five years after 12th if every stage is cleared at the first attempt. Many students take longer.
Honest notes
- Pass percentages at each stage are low. Most people who finish have failed at least one attempt on the way. Plan for that, in time and in spirit.
- Commerce in Class 11 and 12 helps but is not required.
- Most students do a B.Com alongside, by regular or distance mode, so that they hold a degree whatever happens.
- Articleship is real office work with long hours in the busy season. It is also where most of the learning happens.
Where to check
- icai.org
- icsi.edu
- icmai.in
Check the official notice. This page describes how the path works in general, as understood in November 2026. Age limits, eligibility, exam patterns, dates and fees change. Before you apply or pay for anything, read the current notice on the official website named on this page. This is general information, not personal career advice.
Questions people ask
How long does it take?
About four to five years after 12th if every stage is cleared at the first attempt. Many students take longer.
Which examination do I need?
ICAI examinations: Foundation, Intermediate and Final, held by ICAI itself. There is no separate entrance test by another body. ICSI: The Institute of Company Secretaries of India runs the CS course, starting with CSEET. ICMAI: The Institute of Cost Accountants of India runs the CMA course.