Which Degree is Best for CA After 12th?
Choosing the right degree after 12th is an important task for students especially for the ones who wish to pursue CA (Chartered Accountant). With options available in the commerce stream, it is important to choose a degree that signs with your future goals and interests. So, if you are wondering ‘Which degree is best for CA after 12th’, then you are at the right place. In this blog, you will come across some of the degrees that align perfectly with CA preparation, the way to become a CA, and what each course offers. If you are not sure which path to follow or need counseling, this post will provide you with a better idea of the alternatives and how to start a CA career after 12th.
🔑Key Highlights
📜How To Become A CA After 12th?
Before delving into which degree to choose, let us get to know about how to become a CA. The CA is a professional qualification offered by Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). There are levels:
CA Foundation (after 12th)
CA Intermediate (after foundation)
CA Final (after intermediate)
Given below are the exam dates of CA course
CA Foundation Course Exam Dates 2025
CA Intermediate Exam Dates 2025
CA Final Exam Dates 2025
📚Which Degree is Best for CA After 12th for Commerce?
The best degree for CA after 12th is Commerce, as it offers a background in subjects such as accountancy, economics, and business studies, which are highly relevant to the study of CA. But even students from non-commerce streams can opt for CA after passing their 12th exams, but they might have to work hard to understand the basic concepts of accounting and economics.
🎓Options after 12th commerce
Now that we know about CA and how to become a CA, let us dive into the wide range of degrees available to choose from after 12th.
Given below are the courses and duration.
💡Which Degree is Best for CA After 12th?
For students who desire to be CAs, commerce is the best option. Commerce provides the core understanding of areas such as mathematics, business studies, and accountancy, which are all core requirements for the CA course.
The following courses are ideal for CA aspirants:
Commerce with Mathematics: Commerce with mathematics is the ideal choice for CA aspirants because your knowledge of mathematics will assist you in handling difficult mathematical calculations of finances and tax.
Commerce without Mathematics: While you can still take CA after choosing this stream, a mathematics background might make some parts of the CA syllabus easier to handle.
📊Which Stream is Best for CA?
Chartered Accountancy (CA) is a respected and fulfilling career option for those who are interested in accounting, taxation, and financial management. But it is important to choose the correct stream after finishing your 12th grade so that you can lay the right foundation for a successful CA journey. The stream you opt for will have a direct impact on the ease and efficiency with which you can take the CA course.
Commerce Stream: Best Option After 12th For CA
For those who are interested in becoming Chartered Accountants, the commerce stream is definitely the most suitable choice after the 12th standard. This stream offers a strong foundation in subjects directly applicable to the CA syllabus. Subjects such as Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, and Mathematics form the core of the commerce course, all of which are heavily dealt with in the CA course.
📝Key features Why Commerce Stream is Best for CA
Subjects: Accounts, Business Law, Economics, Mathematics
Basic Accounting Concepts
Business ethics, Management principles, and Entrepreneurial skills
🏫CA Duration After B.Com
For those who opt for Chartered Accountancy (CA) after Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), the total duration of the CA course is generally less than when directly starting the journey after the 12th. But the duration to complete the CA course following B.Com may be different depending on individual progress, results in exams, and preparation.
Given below is the bifurcation:
CA Intermediate (Direct entry)
CA Intermediate (8-12 months)
Articleship (2.5 years)
CA Final (6-12 months)
🤔Which Subject is Best for CA?
Chartered Accountancy (CA) is a profession that demands advanced knowledge of subjects across many aspects of finance, taxation, law of business, and accountancy. At the beginning of your CA career, there isn't a single "best" subject, but you have a few key subjects on which to base your entire CA education.
Given below are some of the key subjects necessary for CA
Accountancy
Taxation
Business Law and Ethics
Auditing
Financial Management
Economics
IT & Systems Audit
Cost Accounting
⌛CA Duration After B.Com
If you have done your Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) and intend to become a Chartered Accountant (CA), the duration of the CA course is normally lesser than reappearing after 12th class.
The benefit of taking admission in the CA course after B.Com is that you do not need to appear for the CA Foundation exam and can straight away take the CA Intermediate course, saving much time. Though, the overall time will be based on how much time is taken to complete each level and the required articleship.
👩💼Commerce CA Course
The Commerce CA course is a course for students interested in becoming Chartered Accountants. If you have passed 12th standard with a commerce stream, the CA course is an excellent way to get a career in business consulting, finance, and accounting. The CA course has three phases: CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final.
CA Foundation is the initial exam, and it includes topics such as accounting, business law, economics, and mathematics.
CA Intermediate level, where they study advanced topics such as taxation, auditing, and financial management.
CA Final level, students study advanced topics such as advanced auditing, corporate law, and financial reporting.
In addition to these exams, students must also undergo a 3-year articleship to get practical work experience.
📝Which Course is Best for CA?
When choosing which course is best for CA (Chartered Accountancy), you must take the right route suitable for your interests. The optimal course to be a CA is a sequential program beginning with the CA Foundation course. The CA Foundation course entails elementary subjects such as accounting, economics, law of business, and mathematics and is a warm-up for more advanced topics in the future.
Once the CA Foundation exam is cleared, students proceed to the CA Intermediate level, where taxation, auditing, company law, and financial management are studied in detail. The CA Final course is the final step, where specialized topics are studied, including subjects like financial reporting and advanced auditing.
In addition to these theory courses, students have to undergo a 3-year articleship with a practicing CA. This is a critical component of the learning process, gaining practical experience in the actual working environment of an accountant.
🤔💭Can I Do CA After 12th?
Yes, you can definitely do CA after 12th, and it is a common path for students with a commerce background. The initial step is to join the CA Foundation course, which is especially meant for students who have recently passed their 12th grade.
The CA Foundation includes subjects such as accounting, business laws, economics, and mathematics, which give the basic knowledge required to start the CA journey.
After clearing the CA Foundation, you can proceed to the CA Intermediate level. Once you complete Intermediate, you will move on to the CA Final level, where you will develop specialized expertise in topics like advanced auditing, taxation, and financial reporting.
Along with this CA course, you will also have to undertake a 3-year articleship with a practicing CA, which is essential in order to develop practical experience in the profession.
💡Conclusion
Selecting the appropriate degree for CA after 12th is important in laying a solid foundation in your Chartered Accountancy career. Although the CA Foundation course is the initial step, pairing it with a degree such as B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) is a common choice for most students. The degree gives you fundamental accounting, finance, and business education that supports your CA preparation. But you can also opt for other degrees such as BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) or BA (Bachelor of Arts) if they suit your individual interests and long-term professional aspirations.
If you want to make the best possible beginning in your CA career, CollegeHai is the ideal platform for future accountants. CollegeHai provides professional guidance, online classes, and study materials that can assist you in acing the CA Foundation and more. With a network of like-minded students, CollegeHai ensures you're completely ready for each phase of your CA career.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
1. What should I do after the 12th to become a CA?
After 12th, you can opt for CA Foundation by getting enrolled in the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). After clearing CA Foundation, you can go for CA Intermediate and simultaneously finish articleship and CA Final exams. Also, you can directly join CA Intermediate post B.Com.
2. Which type of B.Com is best for CA?
For those interested in becoming a CA, B.Com (General) or B.Com (Honours) is best. Both offer a sound understanding of accounting, finance, and business law, which complements the CA syllabus. B.Com (Honours) may have greater depth in accounting, so it would be more suitable for CA preparation.
3. What is a CA salary?
The salary of a Chartered Accountant (CA) also depends on location and experience. New CAs can expect an annual remuneration of ₹6-8 lakh, while it goes higher with experience, specialization, and seniority. Senior CAs with managerial levels or having their own firms can take home much higher, from ₹15 lakh to ₹50 lakh per year.
4. What is the scope of Company Secretary (CS) courses after 12th commerce?
After 12th commerce, Company Secretary (CS) has a great career opportunities in legal, corporate governance, and compliance profiles. CS professionals help with regulatory compliance, legal documentation, and company law. The need for CS professionals in firms, law firms, and government organizations keeps on rising, promising a bright future.
5. Are there any other career options besides CA, CS, and CMA after 12th commerce?
Yes, apart from CA, CS, and CMA after commerce in 12th you can go for B.com, BBA, LLB, MBA, Banking, Financial Analyst, Stock Broking, and Entrepreneurship. You can also explore courses like hotel management, digital marketing, etc.
6. How long is CA after 12th?
The CA course takes around 4.5 - 5 years to complete after 12th. This includes CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, Articleship, and CA Final. Though the duration varies depending on the preparation.
7. How to become CA after 12th commerce stream?
After 12th in commerce, enroll for the CA Foundation examination under the ICAI. After clearing the Foundation, you can go to CA Intermediate and then have a 2.5-year articleship. On completion of articleship, you can give the CA Final examinations to become a Chartered Accountant.
8. Can I do CA without college?
Yes, you can study CA without going to college. You can enroll for CA Foundation after 12th and proceed to CA Intermediate after clearing. But studying B.Com along with CA may strengthen one's foundation and offer an academic fallback option, but it is not required.
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