Courses after CA are an important consideration for many students who complete their CA journey. After the 12th class, nearly all students are opting for CA as a course of study. There are plenty of reasons which are prompting them to choose CA as their course of study; among those many reasons, some salient ones will be presumed to be “roaming around money and a good amount of prestige”! So, what to do after CA?
In the past, choices after CA were quite limited, and there weren’t many lucrative alternatives. However, times have changed, and now options of finance and accounting like ACCA after CA or CFA after CA are within reach, offering new opportunities for fulfilling and well-paid careers.
Why Consider Additional Courses after CA?
Considering courses to do after CA will undoubtedly add value to your resume along with specialized skills apart from what you have already acquired. One of the most popular options are finance certification courses, which can further enhance your expertise and open up new career opportunities. So let us see other reasons that compel you to consider post-qualification courses for CA:
Competitiveness
Pursuing add-on courses will equip you with course-specific technical skills whether you do ACCA, CFA, CMA or any other. It provides an edge over your peers.
Industry Trends
Additional courses be it any one that you choose will help you learn the current trends in the industry and the internship will allow you to have a strong hold over things.
Monetary Benefits
No doubt CAs have high salary packages but the advantage of a dual qualification always remains there considering in the long run.
Global Careers
Some courses are globally recognized unlike CA so definitely your chances of working abroad improve by taking up ACCA, CFA or CMA-like courses.
The additional qualifications after CA not only enhance your expertise but also empower you to take on challenging roles. Moreover, improving your professional value, and achieve long-term career success.
Courses to do After CA
If you’re wondering after CA what to do? There are many specialized professional courses to do after CA, so out of those courses, I will bring to you the top 5 courses after CA for a rewarding career in accounting and finance.
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
CFA is one of the top courses after CA, and opting for CFA after 12th can pave the way to becoming a professional financial analyst. It needs you to have cleared your +2 and present a graduation pass degree or be in the final year. It takes around 3 years to pass all the three exams per level.
Job Profiles
- Investment Banker
- Financial Analyst
- Portfolio Manager
- Research Analyst
- Financial Advisor
Institutes to pursue this course
- edZeb
- IMS
- Zell
- Imarticus
Average Salary
- In India, the average of a CA with CFA salary ranges between INR 10 and 44 lakh per annum from freshers to experienced.
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
Among the top post-qualification courses for CA, ACCA is the most preferred choice due to its flexible and comparatively easy course structure. It can be done in a year but it completely depends on the number of ACCA exemptions you are eligible for. For those considering their options after 12th, ACCA after 12th stands out as a preferred course.
Job Profiles
- Accountant
- Finance Manager
- Senior Accountant
- Financial Controller
- Financial Analyst
Institutes to pursue this course
- edZeb
- IMS
- Zell
- Wallstreet proschool
- Quintedge
Average Salary
The average salary of a CA having done ACCA in India ranges from INR 8 to 20 lakh per annum from freshers to experienced.
US CMA
After completing CA final what next, US CMA is the most prestigious qualification in the United States and many other countries. The Average US CMA course duration is relatively short i.e 12 to 18 months , typically requiring just two exams to pursue a career in management accounting.
You can study here in India and work abroad. It just takes 2 exams to make a career in management accounting within a year.
Job Profiles
- Business Analyst
- Management Accountant
- Cost Accountant
- Senior Accountant
- Internal Auditor
Institutes to pursue this course
- edZeb
- IMS
- Wallstreet school of education
- Miles education
- Imarticus
Average Salary
The average salary of US CMA professionals with a CA credential in India ranges between 5 lakhs and 20 lakhs for freshers and experienced professionals respectively.
MBA
After CA which course is best? You can opt for an MBA even after your +2, having a master’s MBA degree with a CA certification will enhance your career prospects. The strategic and managerial skills with in-depth financial and accounting expertise open doors to highly sought-after leadership roles. For those wondering about the best course after CA, pursuing CFA after MBA or if you are already pursuing MBA, doing MBA with ACCA can be a powerful combination.
Job Profiles
- Corporate Finance Manager
- Investment Analyst
- Business Development Manager
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Strategic Management Consultant
- Risk Management Analyst
- Entrepreneur
Institutes to pursue this course
- IIMs (Mumbai, Bangalore, Kozhikode etc,.)
- Indian School of Business
- Amity
- Chandigarh University
- LPU – Lovely Professional University
- Chitkara
Average Salary
Professionals having dual CA + MBA degrees earn significantly higher than MBAs which averagely range from 7 lakhs to 17 lakhs from freshers to experienced.
CS (Company Secretary)
Those who wander after becoming CA what to do? Then CS is the course to be taken up after CA is a very common trend. It enhances their expertise in corporate law and governance allowing professionals to take on more comprehensive roles in the legal and compliance department of the organization.
Job Profiles
Company Secretary
Compliance Officer
Corporate Governance Officer
Legal Advisor
Secretarial Auditor
Institutes to pursue this course
- ICSI Delhi – Institute of Company Secretaries of India
- Navkar Institute
- Master Mind Academy
- Toppers Institute
- Good Shepherd Professional Academy
Average Salary
A CA, CS professional earns from 10 lakhs to 50+ lakhs per annum as a fresher and experienced employee respectively in India.
Tips for Choosing the Best Course After CA
There are numerous factors to consider when choosing the best course after CA. It helps you align your career goals with your interests. The other factors include industry demand, compatibility with your existing skills, potential salary increase, and the recognition of the course.
Apart from all these factors you must also consider the return on investment. Obviously the course fee, exam fee and you will also incur a coaching fee, so you must know whether you will be able to recover these costs. Before choosing courses after CA assess the average starting salaries, job growth potential, and long-term earning capacity associated with the certification you choose to continue with.
Afterthat do not also forget to have a word with professionals, your seniors, teachers or peers who you think know you and will help in deciding an appropriate course to do after your CA.
Conclusion
Pursuing courses to do after CA uplifts your career, so I hope the blog has answered your question: after CA what to do? You are equipped with specialized skills, global opportunities, and leadership capabilities. In today’s competitive job market, staying ahead of industry trends is crucial. These courses provide the perfect pathway for professional growth. Whether you aim for higher earning potential, diverse career options, or a competitive edge, selecting the right course can open doors to rewarding career prospects. Therefore you shall take time and evaluate your interests, career goals, and market demands, to make an informed decision to shape your future.
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