Moreover, the number of students succeeding in CA courses is more from rural areas. ICAI Hyderabad Branch Chairman, Dayakar Gelli, thus, says that it is a myth that students feel difficulty in completing the course. In this context, sakshieducation discusses with Mr. Dayakar on the changes in CA course and its benefits.
Could you elaborate the new changes in CA course?
Except a few changes, there are no changes in the subject or curriculum of CA course. The ICAI has scrapped the Common Entrance Test (CPT), which used to be held for entry to the Chartered Accountancy course. The eligibility for exemption from the Common Proficiency Test for graduate and postgraduate are:
Graduate or postgraduate in commerce having secured in aggregate a minimum of fifty-five per cent of the total marks or its equivalent grade in the examination conducted by any recognised University (including Open University) by studying any three papers of 100 marks each out of Accounting, Auditing, Mercantile Laws, Corporate Laws, Economics, Management (including Financial Management), Taxation (including Direct Tax Laws and Indirect Tax Laws), Costing, Business Administration or Management Accounting; or
Graduate or postgraduate with a minimum of 60% of the total marks or its equivalent grade in the examination conducted by any recognised University (including Open University).
Any candidate who has passed the intermediate examination conducted by ICAI set up or by Institute of Company Secretaries.
Why are the Bachelor Degree students exempted from CPT?
The students will have an idea about the commerce course in their 3 years Bachelor’s degree and they will have good understanding levels. Commerce graduates are those who pass in any of the 3 following subjects counted for 100 marks - accounting, auditing, mercantile law, corporate laws, economics, management (including financial management), taxation, costing, business administration or management accounting. These candidates require 55% marks in their graduation. Remaining students are considered as non-commerce graduates and they need 60% marks to be exempted from CPT.
There is an ambiguity among the students regarding frequent change in the course structure – like changing intermediate to PCC and again to IPCC and now scrapping CPT. what is your comment?
There shall be no ambiguity because ICAI has not changed the curriculum or syllabus of the course. The foundation course, CPT is being exempted for some students and this is a welcome change for prospective students.
Students feel that CA syllabus is exhaustive…
CA is one of the highest-level professional courses. The syllabus is set as required for the course. It is framed in such a way to meet the needs of current market and future changes.
Many students are attracted towards CA seeing different advertisements. However, they have to discontinue because of its difficulty level. Your advice to such students…
Such incidents take place rarely. Some advertisements quoting the attractive future of CA students have come to our notice too. Students should be careful about those ads and register for the CA course purely based on their interests and capabilities. Otherwise, they are the ultimate losers.
Even today, there is a huge difference in demand-supply for CA professionals. Are you going to simplify the rules to fill this gap?
ICAI’s basic aim is to stick to the terms and conditions of the CA course. ICAI cannot change the rules based on demand and supply of the CA professionals. The quality of the course will be downgraded if such steps would be taken.
There are no certification courses to meet the needs of industry regarding accountancy. Is ICAI planning to start any short-term courses?
Present graduates are enough for the industries in terms of accounting. However, CAs are compulsory, if the industry needs the most qualified professionals. The jobs are available even for the candidates who cannot complete the course. Accountant Technician Certificate is given to the candidates who complete one-year Articleship and who finish first group in IPCC. One can work as a tax consultant or accountant in various companies.
Does the industry accept Accounting Technician Course?
We provide a certificate to the students who complete 3 years Articleship and cannot finish The Final course, which is very useful in getting jobs. There is no doubt that every company accepts this certificate and considers them for a job.
CA, ICWA and CS – Could you classify these three courses suitable for the type of students?
The three courses are unique from one another. ICWA is designed to meet the needs of accounts in manufacturing industries. Company Secretary Course is framed for ensuring good corporate governance and effective management for the new companies and public listed companies. Chartered Accountants deal with accounting, auditing and taxation.
These three courses are equally important and any student is equally eligible for all the courses. But, the students have to choose the course based on their interests and capabilities to succeed in the course.
Self-confidence, investigative mind, interest towards the work, commitment to complete CA Articleship course in three years are the necessary skills to take up CA as a career. We can see many students from rural background who have succeeded in CA and now working in various companies. Therefore, you can come out of the myth that CA course is difficult to complete.
Indian CA certificate is valuable in whole over the world. ICAI is the second biggest accounting body in the world.
