Most students struggle to decide between becoming a CA (Chartered Accountant) or a CS (Company Secretary). Both are popular choices among students and guarantee a great future, but there is one key difference between the two, which we shall address in this post.
While both are excellent professional possibilities for commerce and non-commerce students, the individual’s preferences will determine which is the preferable degree.
Understanding these courses, their potential, and a brief comparison between them can assist you in deciding which is superior.
To help you make an informed selection, we shall first define these words in depth.
What is CA?
As a chartered accountant, you can work in any sector of business or finance. They include tax accountants and auditors, general management accountants, and budget analysts. You can work for government organizations, as well as public and private companies.
In summary, persons with expertise in this subject are always in demand across all businesses. To become a fully trained CA, you must pass several tests, and the training process is tough. A Chartered Accountant can handle an organization’s financial records as a tax accountant, accounting manager, budget analyst, and, most importantly, auditor.
What is CS?
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is the organization that administers the CS program in India. It is for those who want to work as a corporate secretary in India and overseas. A company secretary is an expert in corporate and securities law, capital markets, and corporate governance.
Company secretaries are legal specialists who work in-house and are in charge of a company’s regulatory compliance. To be eligible for this course, aspirants must have completed their 12th grade or have graduated. To pursue a profession in computer science, one must possess exceptional decision-making and critical thinking skills.
CA vs CS – Comparison Table
| Particulars | CA | CS |
| Can we pursue after Class 10? | Yes | No |
| Can we pursue after Class 12? | Yes | Yes |
| Can we pursue during college days? | Yes | Yes |
| Can we pursue after Graduation? | Yes | Yes |
| Country of Origin | India | India |
| Levels | 3 Levels: 1. CA Foundation (4 Papers), 2. CA Intermediate (2 Groups of 3 Papers each), 3. CA Final (2 Groups of 3 Papers each) | 3 Levels: 1. CSEET (4 Papers), 2. Executive Programme (2 Groups of 4 & 3 Papers respectively), 3. CS Professional (2 Groups of 4 & 3 Papers respectively) |
| Minimum Pass Marks | 3 Levels: 1. CA Foundation – 40% in each paper, 50% in aggregate 2. CA Intermediate – 40% in each paper, 50% in aggregate 3. CA Final – 40% in each paper, 50% in aggregate | 3 Levels: 1. CSEET – 40% in each paper, 50% in aggregate, 2. CS Executive – 40% in each paper, 50% in aggregate, 3. CS Professional – – 40% in each paper, 50% in aggregate |
| Questions Type | MCQs and Descriptive | MCQs and Descriptive |
| Average Time to complete | 3.5 – 4 years | 3-4 years |
| Work Experience Requirement | No requirement to take the exam, but requires 2 years of articleship training. | No requirement to take the exam. |
| Cost | Payable to Institute : ₹ 50,000 Payable to CA Coaching centre : ₹ 1,88,800 Total : ₹ 2,38,000 | Payable to Institute : ₹28,000 Payable to Coaching centre : ₹ 1,18,000 Total : 1,36,000 |
| Average Salary | ₹ 8 – 12 LPA | ₹ 4- 6 LPA |
| Employment opportunity in India | Yes | Yes |
| Employment opportunity abroad | Yes | Yes |
| Practice opportunity in India | Yes | Yes |
| Practice opportunity in abroad | Yes | Yes |