How many years does it take to become a CA in India?
To become a Chartered Accountant (CA) in India, it generally
takes around five years. The process involves completing three stages, which
include education, practical training, and examinations. Here's a breakdown of
the approximate time required for each stage:
- Foundation
Course: The first stage is the Foundation Course, which has a minimum
duration of four months. However, candidates can appear for the Foundation
Examination after completing their 10+2 education (or equivalent) and
registering for the course. The course can typically be completed within
6-8 months.
- Intermediate
Course: After successfully passing the Foundation Examination or holding a
relevant degree, candidates can enroll in the Intermediate Course. This
stage consists of two groups, and the minimum time prescribed for the
course is nine months. However, the average time taken to clear both
groups of the Intermediate Examination is around 12-15 months.
- Articleship
Training: Upon clearing at least one group of the Intermediate
Examination, candidates can start their practical training, also known as
articleship. The duration of articleship is three years, during which
candidates gain hands-on experience working under a practicing CA. The
training period includes specific guidelines on the number of hours
required and areas of expertise to be covered.
- Final
Course: After completing the Intermediate Course and successfully
completing the required period of articleship, candidates become eligible
for the Final Course. This stage is divided into two groups, and
candidates need to clear both groups to become a qualified CA. The average
time taken to clear the Final Examination is approximately 12-18 months.
Considering the durations of each stage, it generally takes
around five years to become a Chartered Accountant in India. However,
individual circumstances and the time taken to clear the examinations can vary
for each candidate.
