The ICAI opens doors to a rewarding career as a CA in India. It provides many chances for growth. This includes good salaries and exams offered three times a year.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) leads the accounting field in India. It governs the Chartered Accountancy (CA) profession. This guide offers essential information for CA hopefuls. It covers ICAI study materials and salary expectations.
Key topics include:
What is the typical ICAI salary?
Are CA exams offered three times annually?
When is the CA Foundation May 2025 admit card available?
How does ICAI compare to ACCA?
ICAI’s Board of Studies (BOS)
ICAI study materials
Accessing the ICAI login and SSP portal
ICAI’s Certificate of Digital Securities (CDS)
The ICAI registration and exam process
The full meaning of ICAI
Let’s begin exploring these points.
ICAI Salary Expectations Many aspiring CAs wonder about the ICAI salary. A Chartered Accountant’s income depends on experience, skills, and the specific job.
ICAI Salary Structure Overview Position Average Yearly Pay New CA ₹6-9 Lakhs 2-5 Years Experience ₹10-15 Lakhs 5+ Years Experience ₹15-25 Lakhs+ Starting at Big 4 Firms ₹8-12 Lakhs Factors Influencing ICAI Salary Location (Major cities offer more.)
Employer type (MNCs, Big 4, large companies)
Area of expertise (Audit, Tax, Forensic Accounting)
In summary, the ICAI salary is very competitive. This makes CA a financially rewarding career in India.
CA Exam Frequency Yes, the ICAI exam schedule has changed. CA exams are now held three times each year. These are in January, May/June, and November.
CA Exam Attempts for 2025 Exam Level Available Attempts (2025) CA Foundation May and November CA Intermediate January, May, November CA Final January, May, November Important Note: The CA Foundation May 2025 admit card is likely to be released in April 2025. You can find it on the ICAI SSP portal.
CA Foundation May 2025 Admit Card Status Currently, in 2024, the CA Foundation May 2025 admit card is not yet released. Based on past patterns:
Admit Card Release: April 2025
Download Location: ICAI SSP Portal
How to Download:
Visit the ICAI login page.
Go to the SSP portal.
Enter your registration number.
Type your password.
Download and print your admit card.
Helpful Tip: Regularly check the official ICAI website for updates.
ICAI versus ACCA: Which is Superior? Students often compare ICAI (CA) with ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). Here’s a breakdown:
Feature ICAI (CA) ACCA Recognition Primarily India Worldwide Exam Difficulty Very Challenging Moderate Completion Time 4-5 Years 2-3 Years Starting Salary ₹6-9 LPA ₹4-7 LPA Job Prospects India (Audit, Tax) International (MNCs) Conclusion:
Choose ICAI (CA) if you plan to work in India.
Select ACCA for global career opportunities.
ICAI Board of Studies (BOS) The ICAI Board of Studies (BOS) oversees several key areas. It designs the CA syllabus. It also provides ICAI study materials. The BOS conducts training and workshops.
Main Duties:
It updates CA exam formats.
It publishes Revision Test Papers (RTPs).
It manages student registrations for ICAI.
ICAI Study Material ICAI study material is vital for CA exam preparation. It includes:
Books for each subject (theory and practical).
Practice Manuals.
Mock Test Papers.
Where to Obtain ICAI Study Material:
ICAI’s e-Learning Portal (CDS).
The official ICAI website.
ICAI BOS Publications.
Helpful Tip: Always use the most recent ICAI study material. This ensures you have the updated syllabus.
ICAI Login and SSP Portal The ICAI Self Service Portal (SSP) is essential for students.
How to Use ICAI Login:
Go to https://ssp.icai.org.
Enter your registration number.
Enter your password.
Access features like:
Admit cards
Exam results
Exam application forms
Forgot Password: Use the SSP password recovery feature.
ICAI Certificate of Digital Securities (CDS) The ICAI CDS is a certification for finance experts. It focuses on digital securities and blockchain.
Key Benefits:
Boosts knowledge of cybersecurity.
Helpful for CA and IT professionals.
Available through ICAI’s e-Learning platform.
ICAI Registration Process To pursue a CA qualification, you must register with ICAI. This includes registering for:
CA Foundation (after completing 12th grade).
CA Intermediate is taken after the Foundation exam. CA Final follows the completion of articleship training.
The process involves these steps: Go to the ICAI website. Complete the online registration. Submit required papers and pay the fee.
ICAI Exam Information: Exams have three levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. Testing is done using pen and paper. To pass, aim for 40% in each subject. You need 50% overall to pass.
2025 Exam Schedule: CA Foundation exams are in May and November. CA Intermediate exams occur in January, May, and November. CA Final exams are also held in January, May, and November.
ICAI stands for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
