Purpose
The ICAI conducts the Chartered Accountancy (CA) exams to provide certification and membership to students who wish to become Chartered Accountants. The exam aims to assess the academic and practical knowledge of candidates in accounting, auditing, taxation, and financial management.
Conducting Authority
The exam is conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), which is the national professional accounting body of India.
Eligibility Criteria
- Foundation Course: Candidates should have passed the Class XII examination from a recognized board.
- Intermediate Course: Candidates who have passed the Foundation course or hold a graduate/post-graduate degree from a recognized university.
- Final Course: Candidates who have passed the Intermediate course.
Exam Schedule/Important Dates
- Foundation Course:
- Online Application Form Release: 1st week of February and August
- Last Date to Submit Application: 4th week of February and August
- Exam Date: May and November
- Result Declaration: July and January
- Intermediate Course:
- Online Application Form Release: 1st week of March and September
- Last Date to Submit Application: 4th week of March and September
- Exam Date: May and November
- Result Declaration: July and January
- Final Course:
- Online Application Form Release: 1st week of March and September
- Last Date to Submit Application: 4th week of March and September
- Exam Date: May and November
- Result Declaration: July and January
Application Process
- Online Application: Candidates need to fill out the online application form available on the official ICAI website.
- Submission: Submit the filled application form along with the required documents and pay the application fee.
- Admit Card: Download the admit card after it is released.
Application Fee
The application fee varies based on the level of the exam and category of the candidate. It is typically around INR 1500-3000.
Exam Pattern
- Foundation Course: The exam consists of four papers, each carrying 100 marks. The papers include Principles and Practice of Accounting, Business Laws, Business Correspondence and Reporting, Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and Statistics, and Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge.
- Intermediate Course: The exam consists of eight papers divided into two groups. Each paper carries 100 marks. The papers include Accounting, Corporate and Other Laws, Cost and Management Accounting, Taxation, Advanced Accounting, Auditing and Assurance, Enterprise Information Systems and Strategic Management, and Financial Management and Economics for Finance.
- Final Course: The exam consists of eight papers divided into two groups. Each paper carries 100 marks. The papers include Financial Reporting, Strategic Financial Management, Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics, Corporate and Economic Laws, Strategic Cost Management and Performance Evaluation, Elective Paper (Risk Management, Financial Services and Capital Markets, International Taxation, Economic Laws, Global Financial Reporting Standards, Multidisciplinary Case Study), Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation, and Indirect Tax Laws.
Syllabus
The syllabus for the ICAI exams includes topics from the respective levels of the Foundation, Intermediate, and Final courses. Specific details can be found in the official prospectus released by ICAI.
Preparation Tips
- Understand the Syllabus: Go through the syllabus thoroughly and focus on the important topics.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve previous year question papers to get an idea of the exam pattern and difficulty level.
- Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to assess your preparation and improve your speed and accuracy.
- Study Plan: Create a study plan and stick to it. Allocate time for each subject and revise regularly.
- Stay Updated: Keep yourself updated with the latest exam notifications and changes in the exam pattern.