What is the Salary of a Chartered Accountant in India? – Complete Details 2026

The Chartered Accountant is considered to be one of the most recognised and the most satisfactory professional qualifications in India. It is characterised by the Comprehensive examination structure, practical training, and high ethical standards. Thousands of commerce students are drawn to the CA profession annually. Although the path towards the Chartered Accountant entails commitment, hard work, and payoffs, the payoffs are great, both at work and financially.

Among the most common questions that are asked by the aspirants is: What is the salary of a Chartered Accountant in India? 

Within several years, Online B.Com programs have emerged as an option that is flexible and convenient to students who desire to study Chartered Accountancy with graduation. These programs enable the students to combine the CA preparation with the academic responsibilities, including recorded lectures, digital study aids, and online tests.

Online B.Com is particularly an advantage to the CA aspirants because it helps them get pressure off of regular college and allows them to concentrate on the demanding CA program.

Universities are now recognised with UGC approved online B.Com degrees and have become a viable and realistic way through which students can establish a good base in commerce during their course of work and become a Chartered Accountant.

This guest blog is a discussion on the salary of a Chartered Accountant in India, the aspects that affect the earnings, career advancement, and the additional impact of educational decision-making on long-term success.

Overview of a Chartered Accountant

A Chartered Accountant is a professional in finance who does accounting, auditing, taxation, financial planning, and advisory services. CAs are employed in such industries as banking, IT, manufacturing, consulting, government, and entrepreneurship. The CA course, which is controlled by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, has three levels, which include:

Chartered Accountant Foundation (Entry Level)

• Eligibility: 10+2 (12th standard with any stream) passed by any recognised board.
• Direct Entry: Foundation can be bypassed, with Graduates or Postgraduates (with a certain set percentage requirements) joining Intermediate.

Chartered Accountant Intermediate (Level 2)

• Eligibility: Cleared CA Foundation OR direct entry as graduate or postgraduate (Commerce: 55% +, Non-Commerce: 60% +).

Chartered Accountant Final (Level 3)

• Eligibility: Passed CA Intermediate and 2.5 years of training in articleship. 

Key Requirements

• Recognised Board: This is required to be of a board that is recognised by the ICAI.
• ICAI Registration: This is required at all levels.
• Articleship: Before CA Final, 2.5 years (30 months) of practical training is required. 

How to Start

• 12th Pass: Enrol in the Foundation course following your 10+2 exams.
• Foundation Exam: Pass the Foundation exam.
• Intermediate: Pass clearance of Intermediate and begin articleship.
• Final: Eliminate the Final exam and become a CA by passing articleship.

Who are Chartered Accountants?

A Chartered Accountant is a worldwide recognised financial expert, certified by a professional body, who provides services in accounting, auditing, taxation, and financial management, ensuring businesses and individuals comply with regulations while offering strategic financial advice and many more. They adhere to strict ethical codes, emphasising integrity and objectivity, and maintain high professional standards through ongoing training, acting as trusted advisors to handle complex financial matters.  

What is the Average salary of a Chartered Accountant in India?

There is a wide variance in the salary of a Chartered Accountant in India, depending on the experience, abilities, place, and business. Nevertheless, CA wages are much higher than most other professional qualifications, even at the entry level.

Freshers (0-2 Years Experience)

An annual salary of between ₹ 6 lakh and ₹ 10 lakh is an average of what one can expect as a newly qualified Chartered Accountant. High-ranked applicants or those placed at the campus placement agencies can have ₹ 12-20 lakh per annum.

Mid-Level Professionals (3-7 Years Experience)

Chartered Accountants are generally compensated considerably when they have a few years of experience. Average wage: ₹ 10 lakh to ₹ 25 lakh per annum. Taxation professionals, internal audit professionals, or financial analysis professionals tend to have higher remuneration.

Exposure to industries and experience in handling clients are significant. It is at this level that most CAs become leaders or develop a niche, like international taxation or forensic audit.

Chartered Accountants Senior (8+ Years Experience)

The senior CAs who have been working long and have good and solid networks can fetch ₹30 lakh to ₹ 75 lakh per annum and above. Partners, finance directors, as well as CFOs in CA firms in this category. The revenue of independent practitioners is based on the number of clients and reputation.

Factors Affecting CA Salary in India

The amount that a Chartered Accountant earns is dependent on some factors:

• Experience & Skills: The better the practical experience, the more marketable you are.
• Location: High salaries are available in Metro cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad than in tier-2 cities.
• Industry & Role: Other specialised jobs, such as international tax, mergers and acquisitions, as well as risk advisory, have higher remuneration.
• Academic Background: Candidates who graduate with a Chartered Accountant and, more so, with the option of the Online B.Com can be time-conscious and build a great conceptual base of commerce and finance.

High-Paying CA Recruiters in India

Top MNC companies that hire with the best salary of a chartered accountant in India, and some of these MNC companies are mentioned below:

The CA journey can be made even more fulfilling when it is coupled with intelligent academic planning, say by undertaking an online B.Com.

Also Read: Top 10 Government Jobs You Can Do After Your 12th

Conclusion

Salary of a Chartered Accountant in India is based on value, skills and responsibility that is attached to the job. Starting with freshers with earnings per annum of ₹6- 10 lakh, up to senior professionals with earnings of more than  ₹50 lakh, there is an enormous growth potential. With the proper combination of commitment, professional development, field experience, and enabling educational decisions such as Online B.Com, the future CAs can establish a comfortable, high-profile, and well-paying career.

Chartered Accountancy is one of the best jobs in India today, if you want a career that has respect, flexibility, and long-term development.  

FAQs

What is Chartered Accountancy?

Chartered Accountancy is a graduate program that is provided by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, and it is based on accounting, auditing, taxation, finance and laws of business.

How much is the salary of a Chartered Accountant in India?

The freshers receive between ₹ 6-10 LPA on average, and more experienced chartered accountants may get ₹ 20 LPA and above, depending on skills and field.

Who can pursue the CA course?

Students can pursue CA after:

• Class 12 (any stream) via the CA 
• Graduation or Post-graduation (Commerce / Non-commerce) by the Direct Entry

What is the number of levels in the CA course?

There are three levels of the CA course:

• CA Foundation
• CA Intermediate
• CA Final

Is maths compulsory for CA?

No, Maths is not required, but simple numerical and analytical skills will be useful.

 Is CA better than an MBA?

CA is more technical, finance and compliance oriented, whereas MBA is an orientation on management and leadership. 

How do you make a career after becoming a CA?

A CA can work as:

• Auditor
• Tax Consultant
• Financial Analyst
• Corporate Finance Manager
• Investment Banker
• Independent Practitioner