Why one should opt for Chartered Accountant course !

CA. Dashrath Maheshwari (TaXpert) (15090 Points)

17 December 2008  

With the growing importance of trade and industry in a liberalised system like ours, the improtance of Chartered Accountants has grown enormously. A qualified Charetered Accountant (CA) has the option of joining the Government Service, an attractive job in the Public Sector or a lucrative assignment in the private sector. The CAs can also join any financial institution or even have their own consultancy. Whether it is a salaried job or private practice/consultancy, CAs receive very high remunerations for their services. A person choosing this career, has, however, to be careful to ensure that he/she is comfortable with the figure work, as aptitude for figures and accounts is a pre-requisite for the job of a CA. Hence, only such candidates as may beat ease with figures should venture into this specialised career.

The growing importance of trade and industry along with the rapid growth of capital and money markets in an economically developing nation like ours, has increased the importance of Chartered Accountants enormously. Moreover all the companies registered under the Companies Act, are required to get their accounts audited only by practicing Chartered Accountants. A qualified Chartered Accountant has the option of joining the Government Service, Public Sector undertakings or taking up a lucrative assignment in the private sector. The duty of Chartered accountant is to ensure that the financial transactions of an organisation are maintained according to the law, they also keep track of cost of management of the company and manage tax matters.   

Chartered accountants work as Finance Managers, Financial Controllers, Financial Advisors or Directors (Finance) and watch over the finances in the day to day management of companies. Their main areas of work include Accountancy, Auditing, Cost accountancy, Taxation, Investigation and Consultancy. 

The accounting department prepares, analyses financial reports and documents of an organisation. Auditing involves checking the accuracy of the financial statements, ensuring that the accounts presented are drawn up on correct accounting principles. Cost Accountancy involves maintaining cost auditing records, compiling cost information, installing cost control and performing cost audits. Taxation involves dealing with direct taxes, like income tax and wealth tax, assessment of taxes, filing returns and providing advice on indirect taxes. Investigation include expert examination of specific aspects of businesses for the information of interested parties on new issues of share capital, the purchase, sale or financing of a business and for reconstruction. The various areas of consulting include Management accounting and internal audit, corporate law advice, project planning and finance, business advise, systems design and information consultancy. Chartered Accountants also act as directors, arbitrators for settling disputes, handling work related to insolvency, bankruptcy etc. and also as executors under a will or trust in order to carry out the administration of an estate or settlements. They are also engaged in activities like markets research, budget planning, working capital management, inventory control, policy planning, securities consultancy, registrar of issues of securities etc.

Some of the opportunities available for Chartered Accountants are in capital markets, business houses and industry. They can also have their own consultancy or private practice which could be more lucrative and satisfying. With the country liberalizing its policies and approach, opportunities are expected to grow further. 

They are also well placed in government sector as director finance, chief executive or the Head Of the Department of the accounts, information technology etc. They help the government for proper implementation of accounting system.

 

**DM