Chartered accountancy is one of the best career options for those pursuing commerce as a subject stream. If you have an inclination for math, commercial studies and finance, then heading for a CA qualification is a good choice.
Commerce students are often confused as to when they should actually start – directly after grade XII or along with a B.Com degree or after a B.Com degree. Let’s examine each scenario and what it brings to the table, before you decide what to do to finally become a qualified CA.
Chartered Accountancy before Graduation:
Doing CA after class 10 is a bit too early. There is the option of doing it after class 12, before graduation. You have to appear and qualify for CA Foundation exam. As such, CA is a prestigious qualification course – that nothing else is required once you succeed at it. So, doing CA without a B.com degree could be worth it. Yet, the risks remain high. This is because becoming a CA is a long arduous process. Some aspirants leave the course half way or switch to something else. Many drop after several failed attempts.
Then you can join CA Intermediate Course. It is the second level of Chartered Accountancy examinations in India.
Chartered Accountancy with Graduation:
A majority of students take up CA studies while simultaneously completing B.Com. The curriculum of B.Com is quite similar to CA, so you can manage the two if you study well. If you start the initial levels of CA while doing your B.Com, you save some years. However, considering the low success rate in the CA exams, if you’re not able to clear it, you can complete your graduation in B.Com. Later, opt for a post-graduation like MBA. There are also many students complete their CA and then do an MBA degree after a few years of working.
Chartered Accountancy after Graduation:
Many candidates choose to join CA preparations after graduation. If you have B.Com degree, there’s direct entry for you. You need 55% aggregate for your direct entry to CA Intermediate Exam. It is highly advised that CA is best attempted after B.Com. Firstly, because you are already a graduate and, secondly, you don’t need to clear the CA Foundation. In the case of not clearing the CA exams, you still have both time in hand and a degree in hand which you can then use to pursue an alternate professional course.
To conclude, CA is a PG course to best pursue after B.Com. Overall, it’s a 4 and half years course, if you clear at first attempts. Once you become a CA, you can gain exposure for around 2 years at a CA firm and then can even start out independently.
