Career Options after CA

When it comes to career options after CA, there are plenty of exciting paths you can explore. Some popular choices include working in accounting firms, becoming a financial analyst, pursuing a career in taxation or auditing, or even starting your own consultancy or advisory firm. The opportunities in the job market will increase as a CA has acquired a lot of skills. 

The CA course is very popular among students in India and the career opportunities are also great. Once you complete the CA Final course, you can get to work as a Chartered Accountant. Candidates can work with Big 4 accounting firms, explore opportunities in PSUs, or even start their firm. After completing 5 years of the Chartered Accountancy course, candidates can expect good salary and career options after CA as they have worked hard to complete the course and become a designated CA. 

If you want more detailed insights into the job role and the salary structure, check out this article as it will give you a comprehensive understanding of the career options after CA.

Top Career Options after CA

After completing the CA course, a variety of job roles are offered to these candidates. We have discussed here the top career options after CA. 

Also Read:How to Become a Chartered Accountant?

Employment Areas for Career after CA

The career options after CA are available in various fields. Depending on the skills and other factors, a CA should look for jobs in their preferred field. We have discussed here the employment areas where a CA can find a job.

• Work in BIG 4

The Big 4 firms are popular among the CAs, which include Ernst & Young, PwC, Deloitte and KPMG. These are also the top companies in the field of accounting and auditing. They hire a large number of Chartered Accountants every year and offer great salary packages. Those working in these firms can get valuable experience, exposure to diverse clients and career growth opportunities. Most CAs aspire to work in one of the Big 4 as they are top companies, have value and provide learning opportunities.

• CA Firms

It is usually seen that after completing CA, most Chartered Accountants prefer to work in top CA firms or even start their own firm. Those working in big or medium-sized CA firms get exposure to different industries, clients and important practical skills. Working in the firms is a great way to get work experience and understand how to deal with stakeholders and clients in the business. The average starting salary that these firms will offer is INR 4 to 8 LPA while individuals thinking of starting their firms can also do so where the profit is more and they have complete power over their work. 

• Public Sector undertaking PSUs

Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like BSNL, ONGC, BHEL, and GAIL often recruit fresh Chartered Accountants through campus placements. These companies typically shortlist candidates based on their marks, which usually range from 55% to 60%. Individuals should also note that these PSUs mostly prefer candidates who have passed the CA Final exam within two or more attempts. It's a great opportunity for CAs to kick-start their careers in the public sector and get a competitive salary package.

• IT Industry

Top IT Companies like TCS, Wipro, Infosys etc hire Chartered Accountants every year and the demand is also high. These companies hire freshers as well as experienced CAs for their businesses and offer great salary packages. So, those who want to enter the IT industry need to prepare for the interview round. The workload in such companies is also bearable. 

• Working as a Teacher

Chartered Accountants who are looking for career options can think of becoming a teacher. As lots of students every year are preparing to become a CA, the teachers can guide these students and prepare them for different levels of the CA exam. However, to become a teacher, candidates should have passion and deep knowledge of the subject. These candidates can open their own coaching centre or get placed in big institutes and help students clear the exams.

Career Options after CA: Salary

Now that you have understood the career options after CA, you should go through the salary that an individual can earn after completing a CA degree. Refer to the table below to understand the average annual salary:

Also Read:How Does a B.Com Degree Help in Becoming a Certified Chartered Accountant?

Career Options after CA in Government and Private Sectors

The career options after CA are spread across government and private sectors. After completing the CA degree, an individual can work in the government sector as a Tax Officer, Accounts Officer, or Auditor in various organisations such as the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Income Tax Department, and Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS). Similarly, in the private sector, they can work in various departments such as financial services, banking, insurance or corporate finance. These CAs can work as Auditors, Financial Advisors, Tax Consultants, and Risk Managers in renowned companies like PwC, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, etc. 

Apart from the Big 4 companies, the individuals get to work in Tata, Adani and Reliance groups. It is, however, not mandatory to work in the public or private sector, a CA can choose to work as a professor or faculty member in colleges or institutions offering the CA course or can open their own CA firm where they can practice individually.

Jobs after CA in the Government Sector:

• Indian Audit and Accounts Services (IAAS)
• Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
• Indian Corporate Law Services (ICLS)
• Defense Accounts Department (DAD)
• Controller General of Accounts (CGA)
• State Government jobs such as State Accountant and State Auditor

Jobs after CA in the Private Sector:

• Accounting Firms (such as the Big 4)
• Investment Banks
• Consulting Firms
• Financial Services Companies
• IT and Software Companies
• FMCG Companies
• Manufacturing Companies
• Real Estate Companies
• E-commerce Companies
• Startups

Top Recruiters for Career after CA

After becoming a CA, the career options are vast and diverse. The CAs can work in various industries such as banking, finance, insurance, manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, etc. There are some top recruiters in the market who hire the CAs. Listed below are some of the top domestic and international recruiters of CA:

How to Earn a High Salary in India after CA

If you want to know how to earn a high salary after CA in India, check out this section and understand the earning potential of a CA:

• Increase CA Exam Score 

The earning potential will increase and companies will offer a better annual package if the CA candidate has scored well in the CA Final exam. Those who will get an All India Rank in the Final level exam have the chance of earning INR 20 LPA to 25 LPA. These CAs can apply for positions at the Big 4 companies and top IT industries if they have received high ranks in all the levels of the CA exam.

• Take fewer attempts for CA exams

A candidate who has passed the CA exam in one or two attempts and has not received an All India Rank can get good jobs along with handsome pay packages. Based on the recruitment insights from the leading CA firms in India, it is seen that these CAs get around INR 14 LPA to INR 15 LPA which is quite a good remuneration. The IT industries, CA firms and the Big 4 hire mostly top Chartered Accountants. They can also apply for PSUs or government-run businesses based on the number of times they have attempted to pass the CA exam. 

• Understand your Work 

The main responsibilities of a CA are to handle the accounts and create budgets so that an organisation can run smoothly. The CAs should learn to manage everything such as finances and accounting as this will help them gain experience which will be needed for future job opportunities. The best way to learn all these is to do internships or learn from top CAs. There are also multiple courses available on the internet to learn the mannerisms of a CA. 

• Learn Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is an important tool that is widely used in different industries and a CA should be proficient in it as it is used to record, manage, and analyze financial data. Many organisations during the hiring process expect that the Chartered Accountants have basic knowledge of Excel. CAs can do online courses that are available on the internet and learn Microsoft Excel in a hassle-free way.

• Work in a Reputable CA Firm

The initial salary of a CA will be heavily influenced by their CA articleship training. As a result, the students who are preparing to become a CA should put in more effort and join a reputable CA firm. It is advisable to choose a proper articleship training program and get experience before you hit the job market. 

• Improve your Communication Skills

A CA has to deal with a variety of people, clients, etc and as a result, it is extremely important for them to have great communication skills so that they can convey their ideas. To crack an interview, effective communication skills are important. CAs can look for courses where they can improve their communication skills so that they are hired by top companies. 

• Choose a Developed City/ Location

The salary of a CA depends on the city or the geographical area of the company where they get hired. The salary structure in tier 1 cities such as Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai are relatively higher as compared to those in tier 2 cities like Chandigarh, Amritsar and Bhopal. In these metro cities, the cost of living is high and the demand for CAs is also on the higher side. It is always advisable to look for jobs in the metro cities that will offer greater earning potential. CAs can also gain experience, improve their career prospects, etc while working in these cities. 

We hope this article has helped those who were looking for career options after CA. They can also call on our toll-free student helpline number 1800-572-9877 or fill out the Common Application Form (CAF) for any query. Drop your queries in the Q&A zone to get your doubts resolved.