How to Become a CA after 12th?

By IIC Lakshya

19 Jul 2025

How to Become CA after 12th? - 6 Key Steps to Follow

Chartered Accountancy (CA) is one of the most respected and well-paying jobs in the commerce field. The best thing is that you can start your CA career soon after finishing Class 12th. As a Chartered Accountant, you can work in areas such as accounting, taxes, auditing, finance, and consulting. The CA course gives committed and ambitious students an early start in the field of professional finance and opens doors to opportunities in India and throughout the world. But what does it take to become a CA after the 12th grade? Let's take it one step at a time.

Step 1: Sign up for the CA Foundation Course

The initial step to becoming a CA after 12th is to sign up for the CA Foundation course. This is the first test that ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) gives. You can sign up for the course after you finish Class 10, but you can't take the test until you finish Class 12.

When to register: At least four months before the month of the exam. Sign up by January 1 for tests in June. Sign up for December tests by July 1. After you sign up, you will get ICAI's official study materials and be able to use online portals to practice and become ready.

Step 2: Get ready for and pass the CA Foundation Exam

The CA Foundation test happens twice a year, in June and December. There are four papers in it:

Accounting
Laws for Business
Quantitative Aptitude (Math, LR, and Statistics)
Economics for Business

There are 100 marks for each paper, and the test is based on opinion. To pass, you need to get at least 40% in each topic and 50% overall.

Tip: You can study on your own, but many students do better with coaching classes or a mentor during this time. Pay equal attention to both theory and practical issues.

Step 3: Sign up for the CA Intermediate Course

The next step after passing the CA Foundation exam is the CA Intermediate course. Before you may take the Intermediate exam, you need to study for eight months. There are two sets of three subjects at this level, which is more advanced.

Subjects in Group I:

Advanced Accounting
Laws for Businesses and Others
Taxes (both direct and indirect)

Group II Subject:

Cost and Management Accounting
Auditing and Morality
Managing money and planning for the future

You also need to finish ICITSS (Information Technology and Soft Skills) training before you may start your articleship during this time.

Step 4: Begin your Articleship training (now two years)

You can start your articleship training with a Chartered Accountant who is already working once you pass both groups (or just one, depending on your eligibility). The new program cuts the length of articleship from three years to two years. During this time, students get real-world experience in auditing and assurance.

Filing GST and income tax returns
Reporting on finances
Following the rules of company law

Be careful when picking your articleship firm. Stay away from companies who don't provide you enough exposure during this time, as it has a big effect on your ability to learn and be ready for work.

Step 5: Sign up for the CA Final Course

Students can sign up for the CA Final course while they are doing their articleship. You can take the CA Final exams after finishing your articleship and Advanced ICITSS training. These tests are made up of two groups:

Group I:

Reporting on Money
Advanced Management of Money
Advanced Auditing and Ethics in the Workplace

Group II:

Taxes that are paid directly and taxes that are paid internationally
Laws about indirect taxes
Open-book style for a multidisciplinary case study

The CA Final exams assess your deep understanding and application of what you've learned in all of your CA classes.

Step 6: Get your Chartered Accountant (CA) degree.

You can join ICAI after passing both groups of the CA Final and finishing your articleship. Once you become a member, you officially become a Chartered Accountant (CA), which means you can work or practice in India or anywhere else in the world.

Begin Your CA Journey Today

Getting your Chartered Accountant degree directly after high school is a wise and ambitious step that will put you on the path to a career early on. You may establish a profession that pays well and is well respected if you follow a plan, get the correct advice, and work hard all the time. The CA qualification gives you the skills you need to succeed, whether you want to work in a corporate office, create your own business, or give advice to clients all over the world.