How to Become a CA After Graduation: Eligibility, Fees, & Jobs

Becoming a CA After graduation, highly qualified professionals who handle a wide range of responsibilities within the accountancy spectrum. They are always in demand due to their skills, including technical skills & competencies, veracity, and professional standards.

Every company requires CA professionals as they possess an incredible knowledge of financial laws and regulations and can handle monetary issues without worrying about the legal ramifications that might jeopardise the ongoing business. In this article, we will explain to you how to pursue CA after graduation, including its eligibility and other important things.

What is CA After Graduation?

CA after graduation refers to enrolling in the CA program via ICAI’s Direct Entry Scheme, allowing qualified graduates to skip the CA Foundation exam and begin at the CA Intermediate level. This streamlined approach is ideal for those with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, reducing the overall time to qualification while maintaining the rigorous standards of the profession.

After graduation, CA focuses on advanced topics in accounting, law, and taxation, preparing you for high-demand roles in the financial sector. Here are the CA course details after graduation:

Percentage Required	55% for commerce 60% for Arts/humanities/science
Duration	3-3.5 years
Eligibility	55% for Commerce students 60% for arts or science students Must have studied any 3 commerce-related subjects like Accounting, Auditing, Economics, Corporate Laws, Taxation, etc.
Fees	19,000-27,000 INR
Process	1. Directly appear for IPCC 2. After 9 months, complete the Articleship.
Syllabus	Business Ethics and Communication Courses, Costing, Taxation, Advanced Accounting Courses, Auditing, Insurance, Information Technology, Strategic Management, etc.

Also Read: Diploma Courses After 12th Commerce: Duration, Top Colleges, Jobs

Why Pursue CA After Graduation?

Choosing CA after graduation offers a blend of prestige, stability, and versatility in the finance world. CAs are integral to businesses for their expertise in financial regulations, risk management, and strategic planning. Here is a picture to help you understand why to pursue a CA course:

• High demand across industries like banking, consulting, and corporates.
• Global recognition, enabling international opportunities.
• Lucrative salaries and growth potential.
• Flexibility to combine with qualifications like an MBA or CFA.

In a dynamic economy, CAs ensure compliance and drive business efficiency. Let’s take an overview of its education and training:

Eligibility Criteria for CA After Graduation

Before registering for CA after graduation, it’s crucial to meet ICAI’s eligibility requirements under the New Scheme. These criteria ensure candidates have a strong academic foundation to handle the program’s demands. Here’s what you need:

• Commerce graduates or postgraduates: Minimum 55% aggregate marks.
• Non-commerce graduates or postgraduates (e.g., Arts, Science, Humanities): Minimum 60% aggregate marks.
• Candidates who have cleared the Intermediate level exams of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) or the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) are also eligible, regardless of percentage.

Note: Marks are calculated based on the aggregate, excluding any grace marks. If you don’t meet these, you can still pursue CA via the Foundation route.

Registration Process for Direct Entry Scheme

The registration process for CA after graduation is straightforward and can be completed online through ICAI’s Self-Service Portal (SSP). This step marks the beginning of your CA journey, requiring document submission and fee payment. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the ICAI website (icai.org) and register on the SSP portal.
2. Fill out the Intermediate registration form, selecting the Direct Entry option.
3. Upload scanned copies of your graduation/postgraduation marksheet, photo, signature, and proof of nationality (if applicable).
4. Pay the registration fee online.
5. Receive your registration number via email, and start your 8-month study period.

Registration is open year-round, but plan ahead for exam cycles in May and November/January.

CA Course Structure and Syllabus After Graduation

The CA course after graduation under the New Scheme consists of two main levels: Intermediate and Final, plus practical training. The syllabus emphasizes practical application, ethics, and strategic thinking to align with global accounting standards. Below is the detailed structure:

CA Intermediate Syllabus

This level has 6 papers divided into two groups, totaling 600 marks. Each paper is 100 marks, with a mix of objective and descriptive questions.

• Group 1:
  • Advanced Accounting: Covers partnership accounts, company accounts, and special transactions.
  • Corporate and Other Laws: Includes company law, securities laws, and other economic laws.
  • Taxation: Focuses on income tax and goods and services tax (GST).
• Group 2:
  • Cost and Management Accounting: Deals with cost control, budgeting, and decision-making.
  • Auditing and Ethics: Explores audit processes, standards, and professional ethics.
  • Financial Management and Strategic Management: Includes capital budgeting, risk management, and business strategy.

You must pass both groups (minimum 40% per paper and 50% aggregate per group) to proceed.

CA Final Syllabus

The Final level also has 6 papers in two groups, focusing on advanced topics for professional expertise.

• Group 1:
  • Financial Reporting: Advanced standards on consolidation, valuation, and reporting.
  • Advanced Financial Management: Risk management, derivatives, and portfolio management.
  • Advanced Auditing, Assurance, and Professional Ethics: Complex audits, forensics, and ethical dilemmas.
• Group 2:
  • Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation: Tax planning, treaties, and compliance.
  • Indirect Tax Laws: GST, customs, and excise duties.
  • Integrated Business Solutions: Multi-disciplinary case studies involving strategic management.

Exams include case studies to test real-world applications.

Duration of CA Course After Graduation

The duration for CA after graduation via Direct Entry is typically 3 years, assuming first-attempt clearances. This is shorter than the Foundation route due to the exemption. Key timelines include:

• 8 months of study after registration before appearing for Intermediate exams.
• 2 years of practical training (articleship) after passing the Intermediate.
• Final exams can be attempted during the last 6 months of articleship.

There is no maximum duration limit, as ICAI has removed attempt and age restrictions, allowing flexibility for working professionals.

Also Read: BAF Course

CA Course Fees After Graduation

Understanding the fee structure helps in budgeting for your CA journey. Fees under the New Scheme are affordable and exclude coaching costs. We have included the stage-wise fee structure for the CA course. Here’s a breakdown:

Stage	Fee (Approx.)
CA Intermediate (Both Groups)	INR 18,000
ICITSS Training	INR 7,000
Articleship Registration	INR 2,000
CA Final	INR 22,000
Advance ICITSS	INR 7,500

Note: Total Estimate Cost: Around INR 56,000- INR 60,000 (excluding coaching fees)

CA After Graduation: Career Prospects

There are a variety of options available for a career in the commerce stream. As the CA course structure and curriculum are highly rigorous and incorporate practical training and information technology training, it is highly regarded by companies and recruiters. Further, CAs can also choose to combine their knowledge with other qualifications like an MBA, CFA course, FRM Exam, etc. Some of the common career options for a CA after graduation have been outlined below.

Job Profile	Average Starting Salary
Tax Specialist	INR 7 to 10 Lakhs
Internal Auditor	INR 6 to 9 Lakh
Cost Accountant	INR 8 to 12 Lakh
Investment Banker	INR 10 to 15 Lakh
Asset Manager	INR 9 to 14 Lakh
Tax Auditor	INR 8 to 12 Lakh

In conclusion, pursuing CA after graduation is a smart choice for students who are clear about their career goals. With the Direct Entry Scheme, you can save time by starting from the CA intermediate and moving faster toward becoming a Chartered Accountant. Although the journey is challenging, dedication and proper guidance can help you succeed.

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We hope that this blog provides you with an insightful analysis of the CA course and the process of pursuing the CA after graduation. If you are uncertain about where you should pursue a CA course or look forward to studying other accounting courses, then the AI-enabled algorithm at Leverage Edu can help you select an ideal program that can guide you in tackling the challenging path of a CA