CA, CS and ICWA Courses in India

CA - It stands for Chartered Accountant. CA is the title used by members of certain professional accountancy associations. Chartered Accountants work in all fields of business and finance. In India, the profession of chartered accountancy is regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India which was established by Parliament under the Chartered Accountants Act of 1949. The ICAI is responsible for examinations and licensing of it members. ICAI is the second largest body of Professional Accountants in the world with nearby 150,000 registered members.

CS - It stands for Company Secretaryship. A company secretary is a senior position in a private company or public organisation, normally in the form of a managerial position or above. Company Secretaryship is the course conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), which is constituted under an Act of Parliament, i.e. The Company Secretaries Act 1980. The ICSI is the only recognized professional body in India to develop and regulate the profession of Company Secretaries in India. Company secretaries are the company’s named representative on legal documents, and it is their responsibility to ensure that the company and its directors operate within the law.

ICWA - It stands for Cost and Work Accountancy. Institute of Cost and works Accountants of India (ICWAI) established on 28th May, 1959 under the Cost and Works Accountants Act, 1959, promotes, regulates, and develops the profession of Cost Accountancy in India. Cost and Work Accountants frame business policy of a company and to give a prognosis for projects to be undertaken based on past and present financial performances.

Some of its specialized fields are -

• CA - Accountancy, Auditing, Cost accountancy, Taxation, Investigation and Consultancy.
• CS - Company law, tax laws, labour laws, economic laws
• ICWA - Cost and management accountancy, statistics, auditing, tax laws and tax planning

Content

The study of these fields includes all or few of these – 

CA - Fundamentals of Accounting, Mathematics and Statistics, Economics

CS - English and Business Communication, Economics and Statistics, Financial Accounting

ICWA - Organization & Management Fundamentals, Accounting, Economics and Business Fundamentals.

Objectives 

• CA - To ensure proper and efficient maintenance of the financial transactions of an organisation in accordance to the law and to keep track of cost of management of the company and management of tax matters.

• CS - To act as a vital link between the company and its Board of Directors, regulatory authorities, shareholders and the outside world

• ICWA - To support effective resource management, cost effective operations, investment planning, profit planning, project management and overall managerial decision making process.

Basic Requirement

CA - Pass in Senior Secondary Examination (10+2) or equivalent recognized examination. There is no restriction with regard to the marks secured in Senior Secondary Examination or subjects studied. For more info - How to become hartered Accountant

CS - The minimum eligibility required for the Foundation course for Company Secretary is 10+2 or an equivalent examination. Candidate who has enrolled for the 10+2 examination can apply with the proof of passing the examination within 6 months. For more info - How to become Company Secretary 

ICWA - Candidates who have completed 17 years of age and passed the Senior Secondary Examination (10+2) of a Board recognized by the Central or State Government or equivalent examination as recognized by All India Council of Technical Education or National Council of Higher Education can apply for Foundation Course.

Job Perspectives

• CA - All the companies registered under the Companies Act, are required to get their accounts audited only by practising Chartered Accountants so a qualified Chartered Accountant has the option of joining the Government Service, Public Sector undertakings or taking up a lucrative assignment in the private sector. Some Job Types - Finance Managers, Financial Controllers, Financial Advisors or Directors

• CS - Company secretary has a great scope of employment in Private companies, consulting firms, financial institutions, banks, company affairs and other regulatory bodies. Some Job Types - Chairman, Managing Director of a Company, Member of Board of Directors of a Company.

• ICWA - are in great demand in private enterprises, government sector, banking & finance sector, developmental agencies, education, training & research sector as well as in service and public utility sector. Some Job Types - Managing Director, Finance Director, Financial Controller, Chief Accountant, Cost Controller, Marketing Manager and Chief Internal Auditor