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CA versus CS: Which one are you planning to pursue?

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In the corporate landscape, there are two professions that are considered highly prestigious — chartered accountant (CA) and company secretary (CS). At the same time, they are the most difficult courses to crack in India. This is why getting a CA or CS certification is considered a sure way to advance your career.

Having said that, as both these roles are concerned with managing a company’s aspects like financial documentation, taxation, auditing, legal compliance, and governance, many people often get confused between them and use them interchangeably while talking about the career advancement opportunities associated with them.

Though seemingly similar, these two are very much different from each other. So, if you are from the commerce stream and wish to pursue one of these professions after your Class XII examinations or after completing your graduation, it’s better to get some clarity regarding their course structure, scope, demand in the job market, and salary range, in order to make a well-informed decision.

Chartered Accountant – What and Who

A chartered accountant is an individual whose primary job is to manage a company’s finances, including internal audits, and budgets, and ensure that the company accounts comply with the tax laws and regulations mandated by the government. At the same time, they also help businesses make strategic financial choices and manage complex issues that can otherwise put their reputation and finances in jeopardy.

In India, the chartered accountancy course is regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India ( ICAI). Divided broadly into three levels — foundation, intermediate and final — it usually takes 4-5 years for an individual to pass this course and earn the certification.

After completing Class XII, individuals can enroll in the CA Foundation, which primarily covers subjects like economics, accounting and business law. Once cleared, they can move to the Intermediate level which pushes you to get into the nitty-gritty of concepts like auditing, taxation, and financial management. After this level, all candidates must do a 3-year articleship under a CA to gain the necessary practical experience and brush up their knowledge and skill set.


In the CA final level, the course revolves around advanced topics of law, auditing and strategic finance. Also, it is important to note that the graduates can directly enroll in the intermediate level as the curriculum of the foundation level and the bachelor’s degree in commerce is more or less the same.

In terms of opportunities, this course can help you get into positions like auditor or finance controller, tax consultant, finance manager, investment banker, and internal auditor. In addition, you can either start your own consultancy service as a CA, work for an accounting firm, or operate as a CA for any organisation in any industry.

The starting salary for a CA in India is Rs 6-10 lakh per annum, depending on the firm and industry one ventures into.

Company Secretary – What and who

A company secretary or CS is an individual who takes complete responsibility for ensuring that a company meets all legal obligations and regulations. Their expertise is highly sought after in legal matters and crucial documentation processes. Having said that, one must know that this role and qualification is recognised only in India as it focuses on Indian corporate law. Though some knowledge might be transferrable, further skills and knowledge enhancement might be necessary in the global context or basically to practise this role abroad.

The CS course is governed by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India ( ICSI), and is divided into three stages — Foundation, Executive and Professional. The foundation level requires an individual to have cleared Class XII as it covers the basics of law, business environment, and economics.

The Executive stage on the other hand demands a bachelor’s degree or scores of the foundation level as it encompasses advanced themes of law, ethics, and management. The Professional stage offers an in-depth study of law, governance, and legal practices.

To qualify for CA certification, it’s mandatory for the candidates to complete all these stages along with a 15-month executive programme and a 2-month professional development training programme to gain practical experience.

Upon earning this certification, one can grab roles like corporate compliance officer, corporate legal advisor, secretary to the board of directors, legal manager in corporations, and corporate governance officer. Nonetheless, a fresher with this certification can earn a compensation package of Rs 5-8 lakh per annum. However, the numbers may vary depending on the size of the company and one’s potential.
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