CA
CMA vs CA: Which is Better in 2025? CMA vs CA is a frequent comparison, as both CA (Chartered Accountant) and CMA (Certified Management Accountant) are two of the most popular professional certifications in finance and accounting. Both these certifications lead to well-paying careers and career growth, but they suit different career prospects. Assume that you are uncertain whether to study CA or CMA in 2025. In this scenario, this article will give you a step-by-step comparison based on exam difficulty level, course structure, job opportunity, pay, global acceptance, and many more. Upon reading this blog, you will have a clear idea of which career path is suitable for you. 1. What are CA and CMA? What is a CA (Chartered Accountant)? CA is a highly respected Indian professional qualification in the area of accounts & finance granted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). A Chartered Accountant is a professional expert in auditing, taxation, corporate finance, and financial reporting. A CA must be responsible for financial documents, conducting audits, handling taxation, and complying with financial laws. They may be independent practitioners, corporate finance experts, or government department officials. What is a CMA (Certified Management Accountant)? CMA in India is a professional certification awarded by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI). A CMA is an expert in cost accounting, financial management, budgeting, pricing strategy, and overall cost control. CMAs focus on improving internal cost efficiency and supporting management in strategic decision-making. Their role is especially crucial in manufacturing sectors, PSUs, infrastructure industries, FMCG companies, and large-scale organizations where managing costs is key to success. 2. Course Duration and Exam Difficulty CA Course Structure & Duration The CA course is divided into three levels: Foundation Course: Paper 1: Accounting (100 Marks) Paper 2: Business Laws (100 Marks) Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude (100 Marks) – Business Mathematics – Logical Reasoning – Statistics Paper 4: Business Economics (100 Marks) 👉 Check out detailed guide of CA Foundation Papers Intermediate Course: Group I Paper 1: Advanced Accounting (100 Marks) Paper 2: Corporate and other Laws (100 Marks) Paper 3: Taxation Section A – Income-Tax Law (50 Marks) Section B – Indirect Taxes (50 Marks) Group II Paper 4: Cost and Management Accounting (100 Marks) Paper 5: Auditing and Ethics (100 Marks) Paper 6A: Financial Management (50 Marks) Paper 6B: Strategic Management (50 Marks) 👉 Check out detailed guide of CA Intermediate Papers Final Course: Group I Paper 1: Financial Reporting (100 Marks) Paper 2: Advanced Financial Management (100 Marks) Paper 3: Advanced Auditing, Assurance, and Professional Ethics (100 Marks) Group II Paper 4: Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation (100 Marks) Paper 5: Indirect Tax Laws (100 Marks) Paper 6: Integrated Business Solutions (100 Marks) The most important requirement of the CA course is 2 years of mandatory Articleship with a practicing CA. This makes the total duration of the CA course 3.5 – 4 years, depending on whether you pass all levels on the first attempt. CMA Course Structure & Duration The CMA course is also divided into three levels: Foundation Course: (400 Marks) Paper 1: Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication (FBLC) Paper 2: Fundamentals of Financial and Cost Accounting (FFCA) Paper 3: Fundamentals of Business Mathematics and Statistics (FBMS) Paper 4: Fundamentals of Business Economics and Management (FBEM) Intermediate Course: (800 Marks) Group I Paper 5: Business Laws and Ethics (BLE) Paper 6: Financial Accounting (FA) Paper 7: Direct and Indirect Taxation (DITX) Paper 8: Cost Accounting (CA) Group II Paper 9: Operations Management and Strategic Management (OMSM) Paper 10: Corporate Accounting and Auditing (CAA) Paper 11: Financial Management and Business Data Analytics (FMDA) Paper 12: Management Accounting (MA) Final Course: (800 Marks) Group III Paper 13: Corporate and Economic Laws (CEL) Paper 14: Strategic Financial Management (SFM) Paper 15: Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation (DIT) Paper 16: Strategic Cost Management (SCM) Group IV Paper 17: Cost and Management Audit (CMAD) Paper 18: Corporate Financial Reporting (CFR) Paper 19: Indirect Tax Laws and Practice (ITLP) Paper 20: One of the following subjects Paper 20A: Strategic Performance Management and Business Valuation (SPMBV) Paper
CA After Graduation: A Complete 2025 Guide Are you thinking about pursuing CA after graduation? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a B.Com Graduate or come from a non-commerce background, this guide will provide you the complete process of becoming a Chartered Accountant after graduation via the Direct Entry Route. Routes To Becoming a CA Some students choose to pursue CA right after 12th grade, while others choose it after graduation. There are two main routes to becoming a Chartered Accountant: The CA Foundation Route: Students who pursue CA after 12th are required to complete the Foundation level. The CA Direct Entry Route: Students who pursue CA after graduation can directly start from the Intermediate level. The CA Direct Entry route is also open to applicants who have passed the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) or the Institute of Cost Accountants of India’s (ICAI) Intermediate level exam. Final Year Candidates can use the CA Direct Entry route if they are in their final year of graduation. Table of Contents Eligibility Criteria CA Course Duration After Graduation Step-by-Step Process to Become a CA After Graduation Final Thoughts FAQs About CA After Graduation Eligibility Criteria for CA After Graduation To take the Direct Entry Route and start directly from the CA Intermediate level, the following minimum marks are required: Commerce Graduates/Postgraduates: Minimum 55% marks Non-Commerce Graduates/Postgraduates: Minimum 60% marks This includes degrees in humanities, science, arts, etc. CA Course Duration After Graduation Here is a breakdown of the CA course duration: 8 months: Study period for CA Intermediate 4 weeks: ICITSS (Information Technology and Soft Skills) 2 years: Articleship training 4 weeks: AICITSS (Advanced IT & Soft Skills) 6 months: Study period for CA Final Total Duration: 3.5 to 4 years after graduation Step-by-Step Process for CA After Graduation 1. Register for CA Intermediate via Direct Entry Visit the ICAI official website, fill out the Direct Entry registration form, upload your graduation certificate, and pay the prescribed registration fees. You can also go directly to the ICAI Direct Entry Scheme page to begin. For the proper registration process, check out our Online Registration for the CA Intermediate Course. 2. Prepare for CA Intermediate After registration, you’re required to complete a 8-month study period to prepare for the CA Intermediate exams, which are divided into 2 groups containing 3 papers each. These exam formats include both multiple-choice and descriptive questions, demanding thorough preparation. For helpful strategies, check out our CA Intermediate Study Tips. 3. Complete ICITSS Before beginning your articleship, you must complete the ICITSS, a mandatory 4-week course focused on Information Technology and soft skills, aimed at equipping you with essential workplace competencies. 4. Begin Articleship Upon passing both groups of CA Intermediate exams and completing ICITSS, you will begin a 2-year articleship under the supervision of a licensed Chartered Accountant. This journey provides practical training and exposure in key areas such as taxation, auditing, accounting, and corporate laws. Wondering where to start? Explore our guide to Top Articleship Firms in India. 5. Complete AICITSS Following your articleship, you must complete the AICITSS—a 4-week advanced course that builds upon your previous training in IT and soft skills. Completion of this course is a prerequisite for attempting the CA Final exams. 6. Register for CA Final Once you have completed your articleship and AICITSS, you must register for the CA Final course. It is recommended to dedicate around 6 months to study and prepare for the final level. Visit the ICAI Final Course page for details. 7. Pass CA Final Exams The CA Final exam’s structure is similar to the Intermediate level, with 2 groups of 3 papers each. These exams are known for their complexity and require strategic preparation, mock test practice, and subject mastery. Clearing both groups qualifies you as a Chartered Accountant. Final Thoughts Pursuing CA after graduation is a smart career move with strong financial and professional rewards. The journey demands commitment, patience, and smart planning. Courses like ICITSS and AICITSS are designed to make you industry-ready. Start today and take the first step toward becoming a qualified Chartered Accountant! FAQs Frequently Asks Questions Can I do CA after graduation without Foundation? Yes, through the Direct Entry Route, you can skip CA Foundation and start from Intermediate. Is CA after BCom a good option? Absolutely. A commerce background aligns well with CA subjects and offers better understanding. What is the salary expectation after completing CA? A qualified CA’s starting salary ranges from INR 6–10 LPA, depending on skills, firm, and experience. What are the obstacles in CA after graduation? Intense preparation Consistency in the study Time management during articleship and exams
How To Register CA-Intermediate Course By Yourself Candidates can register CA-Intermediate Course through two entry routes: After Qualifying Foundation Course; or Direct Entry Route (Candidates may gain eligibility for Direct Entry through graduation or post-graduation with the required percentage qualifications, or by passing the Intermediate Level exams of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India The Institute of Cost Accountants of India, or the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, both of which offer professional certifications in their respective fields). DIRECT ENTRY ROUTE ICAI permits direct entry into its Intermediate Course for the following candidates: Commerce graduates or postgraduates with a minimum of 55% marks, and graduates or postgraduates from non-commerce backgrounds with at least 60% marks can register CA-Intermediate Course. Candidates who have cleared the Intermediate Level examination conducted by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India or The Institute of Cost Accountants of India. Provisional Registration Students in the final year of their graduation or post-graduation program are eligible to register CA Intermediate Course. This registration will be confirmed only upon submitting proof of successful completion of their degree with the required minimum marks, as specified. Should a candidate fail to meet the required marks before applying for the CA-Intermediate Examination, their provisional registration will be cancelled, and no credit will be given for any theoretical coursework completed. Additionally, candidates unable to provide satisfactory proof may apply to the Council for a refund of registration and tuition fees, subject to the Council’s refund policy at the time. Conversion To Direct Entry Route Students enrolled in the Common Proficiency Course (CPC) or Foundation Course who meet the eligibility criteria for the Direct Entry Route can register CA Intermediate Course at any time by paying the Intermediate Registration fee. Similarly, existing Intermediate Course students who joined through the CPT/Foundation Course pathway and now qualify for the Direct Entry Route can apply to convert their registration to the CA-Intermediate Course through the Direct Entry Route. Registration Procedure ICAI offers a centralized Self-Service Portal to streamline the registration process. Through this portal, students can handle all administrative tasks related to Intermediate and Final courses, eliminating the need for in-person visits or physical document submissions. Students simply upload self-attested documents online at ICAI Student Services. Direct Entry students can also register CA-Intermediate Course by completing the Online Registration Form available on the page under the “Entry level forms [Foundation and Intermediate (Direct Entry)]” section. Students who initially joined through the Foundation route can convert to the Direct Entry route by logging into the Self-Service Portal and following the conversion steps. After registration, students may order their study materials through the Centralized Distribution System (CDS) Portal at icai-cds.org. Registration Fees Registration Including Various charges Both Groups (Rs) Both Groups (US$) Registration Fee 15,000* Students’ Activities Fee 2,000 Registration fee as articled assistant 1,000 Total Fees 18,000 $ 1,000 *To be paid once Students hailing from the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, the North-Eastern states, as well as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, are entitled to a 75% concession on the CA-Intermediate Course fees. (Rs. 4500). Originally offered for registrations between September 20, 2019, and March 31, 2022, this concession has now been extended from April 1, 2022, through March 31, 2025. Starting April 1, 2022, wards of deceased members are eligible for a 75% concession on the CA-Intermediate Course Registration Fee (Rs. 4500). Register For CA-Intermediate Examination (Filing Of Examination Form): A student shall be admitted to CA-Intermediate Examination if: He is enrolled in the CA-Intermediate Course; and He provides a certificate confirming that he has completed a study course of no less than eight months by the first day of the respective month in which the examination is held. Students are required to pay the examination fees as determined by the Council for the CA-Intermediate Examination. The CA-Intermediate Course syllabus is organized into two groups, each consisting of three papers. Students have the flexibility to study and take the examinations either one group at a time or both groups together. Note: Students are encouraged to regularly check the official website, www.icai.org, to stay informed about the latest updates and announcements. Requirements For Passing CA-Intermediate Examination: A student has the option to appear for both groups simultaneously or take one group in one exam and the other group in a subsequent exam. To successfully pass the CA-Intermediate examination, the student must clear both groups. A student will typically be considered to have passed both Groups at the same time if they: In one sitting, achieve at least 40% marks in each paper of both Group I and Group II, along with a minimum of 50% in the overall aggregate of all papers in each individual group; or In a single sitting, obtains at least 40% marks in each paper of both Group I and Group II, and a minimum of 50% in the combined aggregate of all papers across both the groups.
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Your future and the best opportunities in a CA career! From auditing and taxation to financial consulting and management positions, options are wide and appealing. Explore paths in multinational firms, startups, or even the entrepreneurial kind. Find out the opportunities for you in the profession of a CA qualification and their potential in helping you climb the corporate ladder with financial success as a milestone!