CA Inter - A Complete Guide

CA Intermediate or CA Inter is the second level of the Chartered Accountancy course. It consists of two groups of four subjects each. After clearing CA Foundation, a student becomes eligible to register for the ICAI CA Intermediate course.

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CA Intermediate - Overview

CA Intermediate or CA Inter is the second level course of the Chartered Accountancy exams. It consists of two groups of four subjects each. After clearing CA Foundation, a student becomes eligible to register for the ICAI CA Intermediate course. While preparing for the CA course, Intermediate is the first stage that equips the students with in-depth knowledge of the various aspects of Finance and Accounting.

In this article, you will get complete details about the ICAI CA Intermediate course.

Eligibility Criteria for CA Intermediate Course

The candidates can register for the intermediate course through the following two routes:

  1. Through CA Foundation Course: Candidates who have qualified CA Foundation    Examination conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (with minimum 50% marks).
  2. Through Direct Entry Route: The following candidates are allowed to directly register for the CA Intermediate course:
    1. A Commerce graduate/ Post-Graduate (with minimum 55% marks) or Other Graduate/ Post-Graduate ( with minimum 60% marks)
    2. A candidate who has passed the Intermediate level exam conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India or the Institute of Cost Accountants of India.

How to Register for CA Intermediate

  1. Login to the ICAI Self Service Portal
  2. Click on register for intermediate through CA Foundation / Direct entry route
  3. Update your details
  4. Pay the required fees using an online payment method

Note:  ICAI will take 7 days to process your application.

CA Intermediate Registration Fees and Important Dates

After registration for the intermediate course, students are required to undergo a study period of eight months.

Intermediate exams are held twice in a year i.e., May and November.

The students who wish to appear in the May cycle should get themselves registered for the intermediate course before September in the previous year and the students who wish to appear in the November cycle should get themselves registered for the intermediate course before March in the same year.

Students from the CA foundation route can register themselves either for one group or both the groups of the intermediate course. However, the students from the direct entry route have to register themselves for both groups at a time.

Candidates who are pursuing the Final Year of Graduation Course can also register for the Intermediate Course on a provisional basis.

CA Inter Fees Structure is mentioned below:

REGISTRATION FEES

Particulars

Both Groups (Rs.)

Both Groups (US $)

Group I/ II  (Rs.)

Group I/ II  (US $)

Registration Fee

15,000

 

 

11,000

 

Students Activities Fees

2,000

 

2,000

 

Registration Fees as Articled Assistant

1,000

 

 

 

Total

18,000

1,000

13,000

600

 

*Cost of Prospectus Rs. 200 (US $ 20) is to be paid by direct entry students in addition to the above fees.

* Students from newly formed Union Territories of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, and North – East States need to pay only Rs4500/- for both groups and Rs3250/- for the single group if they register between 20th September 2019 and 31st March 2022. They need to upload the following self-attested documents at the time of registration (i) Domicile Certificate (ii) Proof of Identity – Aadhaar Card / Passport / Voter ID.

* Intermediate Course registration is valid for 4 years and can be revalidated any number of times for a further 4 years period by paying a revalidation fee of Rs.400/- or as decided by the Council from time to time.

CA Intermediate Exam Form And Fees

Students who wish to appear for the exams are required to fill the exam/ application form released by the ICAI.

The following steps can be followed to fill the intermediate examination form:

  • Log in to the official website( icaiexam.icai.org)
  • Click on apply now
  • Fill in the required details and click on Save & Preview
  • Make the required payment of fees online
  • Download the PDF form

The following are the details for the Intermediate Exam Fee:

 

For Both Groups

For Single Group

For Indian Centres

INR 2700

INR 1500

For Kathmandu (Nepal) Centre

 INR 3400

INR 2200

For Overseas Centres (Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Muscat)

US $500

US $ 325

 

CA Intermediate Admit Card

The ICAI releases CA Intermediate admit card on its official website (icaiexam.icai.org) before 14 days of the examination. The Candidates are required to log in to the website and take a printout of the admit card on A4-sized paper. All candidates have to carry the printed copy of admit card to the examination center.

Contents on the CA Intermediate Admit Card

  • Name of the Candidate
  • Candidate’s Photograph and Signature
  • Name of the Examination Centre
  • Roll Number
  • Groups enrolled
  • Examination City
  • Medium of Examination
  • Candidate’s Address
  • Exam day instructions for candidates

CA intermediate Syllabus & Subjects

CA Intermediate Examination is a pen and paper-based test. CA Inter course has a total of 8 Subjects which are categorized into two groups of four subjects each.

The details for the CA Intermediate New Syllabus is as follows:

GROUP I

Paper 1: Accounting ( Three hours – 100 Marks)

  • Process of formulation of Accounting Standards including Ind ASs (IFRS converged standards) and IFRS; convergence vs adoption; objective and concepts of carve-outs.
  • Framework for Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements (as per Accounting Standards).
  • Application of Accounting Standards
  • Company Accounts
  • Accounting for Special Transactions
  • A special type of Accounting

Paper 2: Corporate and Other Laws (Three hours – 100 Marks)

  • Part I: Company Law (60 Marks)
    • The Companies Act, 2013 – Sections 1 to 148
  • Part II: Other Laws (40 Marks)
    • The Indian Contract Act, 1872
    • The Negotiable Instruments Act,1881
    • The General Clauses Act, 1897
    • Interpretation of Statutes

Paper 3: Cost and Management Accounting (Three hours – 100 Marks)

  • Overview of Cost and Management Accounting
    • Introduction to Cost and Management Accounting
    • Elements of Cost and preparation of cost sheets.
  • Ascertainment of Cost and Cost Accounting System
    • Material Cost
    • Employee Cost
    • Overheads
    • Concepts of Activity Based Costing (ABC)
    • Recording and Accounting Costs
  • Methods of Costing
    • Single Output/ Unit Costing
    • Job Costing
    • Batch Costing
    • Contract Costing
    • Process/ Operation Costing
    • Costing of Service Sectors
  • Cost Control and Analysis
    • Standard Costing
    • Marginal Costing
    • Budget and Budgetary Control

Paper 4: Taxation (Three hours – 100 Marks)

Section A: Income Tax Law (60 Marks)

  • Basic Concepts
  • Residential Status and scope of Total Income
  • Incomes that do not form part of total income
  • Heads of income and the provisions governing computation of income under different heads
  • Income of other persons included in assessee’s total income
  • Aggregation of income, Set-off or carry forward and set off of losses
  • Deductions from gross total income
  • Computation of Total Income and tax liability of individuals
  • Advance tax, tax deduction at source, and introduction to tax collection at source
  • Provisions for filing return of income and self-assessment

Section B: Indirect Taxes (40 Marks)

  • Concept of indirect taxes
  • Goods and Services Tax (GST) Laws

GROUP II

Paper 5: Advanced Accounting (Three hours - 100 Marks)

  • Application of Accounting Standards
  • Special Aspects of Company Accounts
  • Reorganization and liquidation of Companies
  • Banking Companies and Non-Banking Financial Companies and regulatory requirements thereof.
  • Consolidated Financial Statements
  • Dissolution of partnership firms including piecemeal distribution of assets; Amalgamation of partnership firms; Conversion of partnership firm into a company and Sale to a company; Issues related to accounting in Limited Liability Partnership

Paper 6: Auditing and Assurance (Three hours – 100 Marks)

  • Nature, Objective, and Scope of Audit
  • Audit Strategy, Audit Planning and Audit Programme
  • Audit Documentation and Audit Evidence
  • Risk Assessment and Internal Control
  • Fraud and Responsibilities of the Auditor in this Regard
  • Audit in an Automated Environment
  • Audit Sampling
  • Analytical Procedures
  • Audit of Items of Financial Statements
  • The Company Audit
  • Audit Report
  • Audit of Banks
  • Audit of Different Types of Entities

Paper 7: Enterprise Information System & Strategic Management ( Three hours – 100 Marks)

Section A: Enterprise Information System (50 Marks)

  • Automated Business Processes
  • Financial and Accounting Systems
  • Information Systems and its Components
  • E-commerce, M-commerce, and Emerging Technologies
  • Core Banking Systems

Section B: Strategic Management (50Marks)

  • Introduction to Strategic Management
  • Dynamics of Competitive Strategy
  • Strategic Management Process
  • Corporate Level Strategies
  • Business Level Strategies
  • Functional Level Strategies
  • Organisation and Strategic Leadership
  • Strategy Implementation and Control

Paper 8: Financial Management & Economics for Finance ( Three hours – 100 Marks)

Section A: Financial Management (60 Marks)

  • Financial Management and Financial Analysis
  • Introduction to Financial Management Function
  • Financial Analysis through Ratios
  • Financing Decisions
  • Sources of Finance
  • Cost of Capital
  • Capital Structure Decisions
  • Leverages
  • Capital Investment and Dividend Decisions
  • Capital Investment Decisions
  • Adjustment of Risk and Uncertainty in Capital Budgeting Decision
  • Dividend Decisions
  • Management of Working Capital

Section B: Economics for Finance (40 Marks)

  • Determination of National Income
  • Public Finance
  • The Money Market
  • International Trade

 

The question papers of the following papers will have two parts: Part 1 comprising of MCQs (30marks) and Part 2 comprising of descriptive type questions (70 marks) :

  • Paper 2: Corporate and Other Laws
  • Paper 4: Taxation
  • Paper 6: Auditing and Assurance
  • Paper 7: Enterprise and Information Systems and strategic management

CA Intermediate Results

The ICAI announces the results of Intermediate on the official website after two months of the examination.

The Details for checking CA Intermediate Results are below:

  • Visit the official website of ICAI and click on Foundation Results
  • Enter your Credentials i.e., 6 digit roll number, Pin/ registration number, and captcha code
  • Click Submit

Here is an analysis of the passing percentage of the CA Intermediate July 2021 Examination:

Candidates applied for

No. of Candidates appeared

No. of Candidates passed

Pass Percentage

Group I

60335

17563

29.11

Group II

45423

10082

22.20

Both Groups

20668

2169

10.49

How to Prepare for CA Intermediate

CA Inter is not that easy to clear. You need a lot of hard work, dedication, proper strategy, and multiple revisions to get through the hurdle. Here are some tips to help you in your preparations:

  • Make a proper timetable alloting required time for each subject
  • The candidate should focus on the institute’s study material
  • Revise the entire syllabus at least 3-4 times.
  • Make summary notes for all the subjects for quick revision
  • Enroll in the test series. It will help in time management and practice.
  • Attempt Previous Year Question Papers. It will help in analyzing the trend of Examination.

CA Intermediate Classes

A Candidate can prepare for CA Intermediate Examination through self-study or Coachings. But it is preferable to enroll in Classes to leave no stone unturned in your CA Intermediate Course Preparation. Classes will not only help in clearing all the concepts but also provide you with the guidance to channelize your preparations in the right direction.

One can also enroll for  CA Intermediate Course offered by IndigoLearn which is India’s best CA  prep destination. You can learn from the top educators with online classes from the comfort of your home. It has engaging HD videos which can be accessed anytime, student-friendly notes, exam-style assessments.

Commencement of Articleship

After clearing either or both the groups of CA intermediate, a student has to undergo an articleship/ practical training for a period of 3 years.

Before the commencement of articleship, a student has to undergo 2 practical trainings of 4 weeks duration each i.e.,  ICITSS and AICITSS.

All these three trainings are compulsory in nature.

You can join the articleship after clearing either of the groups of intermediate. However, it is advisable to join an articleship after completing both the groups of the Intermediate course. Most of the CA Firms including Big4s prefer article assistants who have completed their intermediate course as they will be able to focus completely on work. Also, joining an articleship after completing the intermediate course will help you in learning all the aspects of the practical world without stressing about the intermediate studies and you can also start your CA Final studies timely.

Frequently asked Questions (FAQs)

How many subjects are there in CA Intermediate?

  • There are a total of 8 subjects in CA Intermediate which are categorized into 2 groups of four subjects each which are as follows:
  • Group1: Accounting, Corporate and Other Laws, Cost and Management Accounting, Taxation
  • Group 2: Advanced Accounting, Auditing and Assurance, Enterprise Information Systems and Strategic Management, Financial Management and Economics for Finance.

Is CA Inter easy?

  • CA Inter is not that easy to clear. You need a lot of hardwork, dedication, proper strategy, and multiple revisions to get through the hurdle.
  • We at IndigoLearn, provide the best study material and video lectures that will help you to crack this difficult exam on the first attempt.

What is the eligibility for CA Inter?

  • Candidates who have qualified CA Foundation exam. One can also enroll for the CA Intermediate course through direct entry scheme.

What is after CA Intermediate?

  • After qualifying CA Intermediate examination, a candidate has to undergo a practical training/ articleship for a period of three years after which he/she becomes eligible to appear in the CA Final examinations.

What does CA Inter mean?

  • CA Inter / Intermediate is the second level of the CA Examination Course after the CA Foundation. It is the first stage in the CA Course to provide a candidate with in-depth knowledge of the various aspects of Finance and Accounting.

Which group to be written first?

  • It depends completely on the student. You should appear for the group in which you have more confidence and complete preparations.

How to get an articleship in Big4?

  • You can apply with your resume in the “work with us” section at the website of Big4 firms or if you know someone who works at Big4, you can ask them to refer you.