CA Articleship is a crucial phase in the journey of a Chartered Accountant (CA) student. During articleship, a candidate undergoes CA Articleship training for a duration of two years under the guidance and supervision of a practicing Chartered Accountant.
Out of these three years, two years are mandatory to be served under a practicing Chartered Accountant in practice. In the final year, the student can either continue their articleship under a practicing Chartered Accountant or opt for Industrial Training under a Chartered Accountant in employment. An individual pursuing the CA Course can register himself/herself for the practical training after passing either the first group of the CA Intermediate or the second group of the CA IPCC. The CA Articleship application will be available after the release of the CA Intermediate results.
The CA articleship period allows students to understand the profession's nuances, experience the challenges faced by Chartered Accountants, and gain insights into the practical applications of accounting principles and regulations. It provides exposure to different industries, clients, and sectors, which broadens the student's understanding and prepares them for future roles as qualified CAs.
CA Articleship is an essential component of the Chartered Accountancy course. It is the third stage that CA students undertake after clearing one or both groups of the CA Intermediate exam. It involves practical training under the guidance of a practicing Chartered Accountant (CA) and provides students with real-world exposure to the field of accountancy. During the CA Articleship training, students are involved in various tasks and responsibilities related to auditing, taxation, ROC compliances, filing tax returns, and preparing financial statements. The duration of the CA articleship is three years, and it is a mandatory requirement for students to complete this training to be eligible to appear for the CA Final examination .
CA Articleship holds significant importance in shaping the professional journey of a Chartered Accountant. The following points highlight the importance of articleship in CA:
After fulfilling the eligibility criteria, students must register for a CA articleship with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The registration process involves filling out specific forms and submitting them to the ICAI. Here's a step-by-step guide to CA Articleship Registration :
- IPCC or Intermediate Marksheet showing the passing marks - Attested copy of the 12th mark sheet - ITT and Orientation Program certificates
When filling out the registration form for the Deed of Articles, follow these steps:
Form 103, the Statement of Particulars, should be submitted in three copies. One copy must be submitted to the ICAI, the Principal should retain one copy, and the Article Assistant should keep the remaining one. Along with Form 103, the candidate must submit the following documents:
All the above documents should be attested by the practicing Chartered Accountant who will supervise the articleship training (the Principal). The documents should be submitted along with the required fees through a Demand Draft. Registration Form 103 must reach the ICAI within 30 days of the articleship's commencement.
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The Principal must attest these documents. Ensure that you have filled out three copies of Form 103. The Principal and the articleship assistant should have one copy each, and the original form must be submitted to the ICAI. Form 103 should be submitted to the ICAI within 30 days before the commencement of the articleship.
To commence practical training, candidates need to submit Form 103 along with a Demand Draft for the requisite fees. If the fees have already been paid during articleship registration, there is no need to pay again. The Articleship Registration fee is INR 2000/-. The Demand Draft should favor "Secretary, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India." Depending on the region, it must be payable at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Kanpur, or New Delhi.
If, unfortunately, the student cannot submit Form 103 within the specified 30-day period, they should include a handwritten application explaining the reason for the delay. The application must be signed by both the Article Assistant and the Principal, and it is referred to as a Condonation of Delay. In addition to the application, a late submission fee must be paid as follows: - Beyond 30 days: INR 100/- - Between 31-180 days: INR 300/- - Beyond 181 days: INR 1000/- After submitting the "Condonation of Delay" application, the ICAI will accept the form without any inquiry. However, in some doubtful cases, the following documents may be requested by the ICAI:
Students need to note that if they wish to pursue another course alongside articleship, such as B.com or CS, they must seek permission from the ICAI within one month by applying for Form 112.
To be eligible for CA Articleship, students must meet certain criteria, varying depending on whether they apply through the CA Foundation Route or Direct Entry Route. Here are the eligibility requirements for both routes:
CA Foundation Route
- Clear one or both groups of CA Intermediate. - Complete 4 weeks of Information Technology Training (ITT) and Orientation Training (OT).
Direct Entry Route
- Commerce stream students must secure at least 55% marks in graduation, while students from the science stream or other streams need to secure more than 60% marks. - Completion of ITT and OT training is mandatory.
As students progress through their articleship, their responsibilities and assignments may evolve based on their performance, the organization they are working for, and their training year. This progressive learning approach enables them to develop a comprehensive understanding of the practical aspects of the accounting profession. The CA articleship period is vital in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge gained through academic studies and the practical application of accounting principles and standards in real-world scenarios. It equips CA aspirants with the necessary skills, experience, and exposure to become competent professionals in accountancy. During the CA articleship training, students are exposed to various professional tasks and responsibilities. These may include:
Students often have the desire to pursue additional courses such as B.Com, CS, and more while undergoing their articleship training. To do so, they must seek permission from the ICAI and submit Form 112 within one month of commencing practical training. However, managing time between college and office can be challenging. Nevertheless, if you can effectively manage your schedule, consider exploring the following list of top courses to pursue alongside CA articleship:
CA firms serve as organizations where articles can work under the supervision of a practicing CA or principal, gaining insights into the day-to-day activities and responsibilities of a CA. To find a CA articleship vacancy in one of these firms, you can visit their official websites, LinkedIn pages, and other relevant sources. Here are some of the top CA firms in India for articleship:
The CA Articleship stipend is typically not very high. As per the ICAI, there is a predefined stipend amount that every CA firm pays to their articles. The stipend benchmarks vary for each of the three years and are also influenced by the population of the city or town. Here is a breakdown of the minimum stipend amount based on the year and population:
CA Articleship Stipend/ Salary | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
Cities/Towns with Population >/= 20 Lakhs | INR 2,000 | INR 2,500 |
Cities/Towns with Population between 4 and 20 Lakhs | INR 1,500 | INR 2,000 |
Cities/Towns with Population < 4 Lakhs | INR 1,000 | INR 1,500 |
During the three-year CA articleship period, articles are allowed to take a maximum of 157 leaves. Excessive leaves can result in complications, as it may delay the completion of the articleship period. Therefore, it is essential for articles to adhere to the leave regulations set by the ICAI. The minimum working hours for articles are 35 hours per week, but it may extend to 10 hours a day or 60 hours a week, depending on the workload. Working hours can vary between CA firms.
Once your registration request for articleship is approved by the regional office, you will be registered for articles. After completing the registration process, you can access the termination and completion forms for articles under the articles tab. To fill out the termination form for articles, follow these steps:
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After generating the PDF, it is advised to download and get it signed by the members. You must then upload the scanned copy using the edit application feature.
Articleship Completion
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CA Registration 2025 | CA Eligibility Criteria 2025 |