The Journey of a Chartered Accountant from Class 12 to CA Final

A journey from Class 12 to becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA) is marked by a series of qualifications and training that culminate in the final CA final exam. This article outlines the steps and timelines to achieve this prestigious professional designation.

Step 1: Foundation Exam

The journey begins with passing Class 12 from any stream. Immediately after, students should register with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for the CA Foundation course. The foundation exam is held twice a year, in May and November. Students must secure a minimum of 50 marks in the aggregate and 40 in each subject to pass.

Step 2: Intermediate Exam

After passing the CA Foundation, students can register for the CA Intermediate exam. This exam, also held twice a year, follows the same criteria. Students must pass both groups either alone or combined and secure similar minimum marks.

Step 3: Intermediate Training and Articleship

Once the CA Intermediate exam is cleared, candidates can either complete a one-month course on ICITSS or start their articleship with a practicing Chartered Accountant. Articleship, a minimum 3-year training period, is a crucial step in gaining practical exposure to the accounting profession.

Step 4: IPCC (Final Entrance)

After the articleship, candidates can start preparing for the IPCC (Indian Public Sector Final Exams) held twice a year in May and November. To sit for the IPCC, candidates must have cleared the CA Intermediate with either group.

Step 5: Final Exam and Registration

Upon successfully clearing the IPCC and completing articleship, candidates can register for the final CA exams. Clearing these finals will make candidates Chartered Accountants (CA).

Additional Programs and Training

Throughout the journey, candidates may also be required to complete additional training such as Advanced IT training and GMCS (General Management Computer Skills) where relevant. For more information, candidates can visit the ICAI branch.

Plan Your Journey

Starting from class 12, the process can be planned as follows:

If you have already passed Class 12, register for CA Foundation between now and 31st December 2018, and appear for the exam in May 2019. If you are pursuing 12th standard in the current academic year 2018–19, then register for CA Foundation between March 2019 and 30th June 2019 and appear for the exam in November 2019. Assuming success, register for CA Intermediate in May/November 2020, and, after clearing, start articleship training under a practicing Chartered Accountant.

It's essential to stay informed about ICAI schedules and updates to ensure a smooth journey towards becoming a Chartered Accountant.

For more detailed information, visit the ICAI official website.