If you’re exploring accounting careers, the Chartered Accountant (CA) designation is a credential you’ll likely come across. It’s a highly respected professional accounting designation used in many countries worldwide. The CA credential qualifies accountants to perform audits and manage tax compliance, as well as provide financial advisory services and support strategic business decisions. 

A Chartered Accountant is a lot like a certified public accountant (CPA) in that they share many of the same duties. The biggest distinction, though, is that the CA designation is commonly used internationally, whereas the CPA is the primary professional accounting credential in the US. 

Learn more about what a Chartered Accountant is, what they do, the path to becoming 1, and where this credential could take you in your career. 

Key Points

• A Chartered Accountant is a professional accounting designation recognized in many countries and is often compared to the CPA designation in the US. 
• Like CPAs, CAs provide audit and tax advisory services to clients. They may also work in financial consulting and reporting. 
• Accounting is a strong career field. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 5% growth for accountants and auditors through 2034, while the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) reports more than 10,000 accounting and finance professionals across 175 countries. 
• The path to becoming a Chartered Accountant can be rigorous. The precise route depends on where you’re located, but it typically requires strict education and experience requirements. 

What Does a Chartered Accountant Do?

Chartered accountants are highly trained accounting professionals with a range of responsibilities. Depending on their role, they might conduct audits, oversee tax compliance, provide financial advice, and help organizations make strategic business decisions. 

Many CAs work in public accounting, but some go into corporate or government finance. Others might venture into nonprofit work.  

If that sounds like it matches the typical career dynamic of a CPA, that’s because it does. The main distinction is that the CA designation is widely recognized in countries around the world. 

Here’s a closer look at what CAs do on a day-to-day basis. 

Auditing and Assurance

Foundational components of the job include auditing financial statements and evaluating financial controls. As a CA, you might spend your days: 

• Planning and executing audits 
• Testing internal controls 
• Reporting findings 
• Making sure financial statements comply with accounting standards 

For example, you could work in a government organization auditing financial statements and accounts. You’d review important (often confidential) documents for accuracy and completeness. And, if you identify errors or irregularities, you’d help make sure they’re investigated and resolved. 

Tax Compliance and Advisory

Tax compliance is another common responsibility for Chartered Accountants. They often: 

• Prepare and file business tax returns  
• Conduct tax compliance reviews 
• Advise on tax implications of business decisions 
• Liaise with local or regional tax authorities 

Say you work as a Chartered Accountant for an international business. You may be responsible for reviewing corporate income tax returns so that all revenue is accurately reported. And you might check for deductible expenses and eligible tax breaks under the current tax code. From there, you could work directly with tax authorities to resolve compliance issues and respond to inquiries. 

Financial Reporting and Analysis

Chartered accountants also play an important role in financial reporting and analysis. They often prepare financial statements and interpret results to support business decisions. They also support compliance with established accounting standards, including: 

• International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS): Global accounting standards used in many countries outside the United States 
• US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP): The accounting standards used by companies preparing financial statements in the United States 

Advisory and Strategic Planning

Many CAs are trusted advisors to business leaders and finance teams. This work may include: 

• Budgeting and forecasting 
• Cost management and reduction 
• Performance measurement 
• Risk assessment and mitigation 
• Strategic business decision-making support 
• Restructuring of business debt based on potential or current liabilities  

How to Become a Chartered Accountant

The path to becoming a Chartered Accountant depends on where you plan to work. There isn’t a single global CA credential or a universal set of requirements. Instead, professional accounting bodies in different countries and regions set their own education, exam, and practical experience requirements.  

Some of the major professional accounting organizations associated with Chartered Accountant designations include: 

• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) 
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) 
• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) 
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA global) 

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Many Chartered Accountant pathways begin with a bachelor’s degree, often in accounting, finance, or a related business field. Depending on the country, additional education or professional training may also be required. 

Taking accounting courses online can help build the foundational knowledge needed for professional accounting exams. Some universities also offer specialized coursework in areas such as forensic accounting or internal auditing that can help prepare you for a career in accounting. 

Gain Practical Experience

Many Chartered Accountant pathways require a period of supervised professional experience in addition to passing exams. Depending on the governing body, this often involves working under the supervision of a qualified accountant for several years. You might be able to get this experience through a combination of internships and training contracts with an accounting firm. 

Complete Professional Exams

Like CPAs, Chartered Accountants must also pass certain exams. The relevant professional body sets exam structures. All are rigorous and test both technical and practical aptitudes. 

Take the ACCA exam as an example. It’s structured like this: 

• 3 applied knowledge exams: Business and technology (BT), financial accounting (FA), management accounting (MA) 
• 6 applied skills exams: Corporate and business law (LW), taxation (TX), financial reporting (FR), performance management (PM), financial management (FM), audit and assurance (AA) 
• 2 “essential” strategic professional exams: Strategic business reporting (SBR), strategic business leader (SBL) 
• 2 “options” strategic professional exams: Candidates choose 2 from the following options—advanced financial management (AFM), advanced audit and assurance (AAA), advanced taxation (ATX), advanced performance management (APM) 

Earn Your Designation and Maintain It

Earning your CA designation is a major milestone, but it isn’t the end of your professional development. Chartered accounting bodies often require members to complete continuing professional development (CPD). 

Requirements vary by organization, but here are some examples: 

• ICAEW: Varies by work level, but typically 20–40 hours per year plus 1 hour of annual ethics-related training. 
• Chartered Accountants of Ireland: 70 hours per year, 20 of which must be structured CPD 
• ACCA: Minimum of 40 units each year 

Skills and Qualifications

Becoming a Chartered Accountant requires more than meeting education and exam requirements. Success in the profession depends on developing a strong mix of technical accounting knowledge and professional skills. 

While the definition of Chartered Accountant remains rooted in accounting expertise, the role has expanded beyond traditional bookkeeping and financial reporting. It takes a combination of technical and soft skills to thrive. 

Technical Skills

The technical skills required of Chartered Accountants are similar to those expected of CPAs and other accounting professionals. Key areas of expertise include: 

• Accounting standards, including IFRS and GAAP 
• Tax law and compliance 
• Auditing and assurance 
• Financial modeling and analysis 
• Accounting software, such as QuickBooks 
• Regulatory frameworks 
• Performance management 
• Management accounting 
• Business technology and data analysis 

Soft Skills

Success as a Chartered Accountant also requires strong professional skills, including: 

• An ability to communicate financial data to non-financial stakeholders 
• Strong ethical judgment 
• Analytical and critical thinking 
• Organizational skills 
• Time management, especially during busy audit and tax season 
• Attention to detail 
• Stakeholder management 

Qualifications

While requirements vary by jurisdiction, Chartered Accountants typically need: 

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent educational qualification 
• A professional Chartered Accountant designation from a recognized accounting body 
• Ongoing continuing professional development 

Additional education, specialized expertise, and professional experience can help expand career opportunities and increase earning potential over time. 

Career Paths and Specializations

Accounting remains a globally relevant career field. In the US, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 5% growth for accountants and auditors through 2034, with about 124,200 job openings projected each year on average.  

Globally, the ACCA reports more than 10,000 accountancy and finance professionals across 175 countries, underscoring the international scale of the profession. 

While job outlook data typically doesn’t track Chartered Accountants separately, the CA designation can help demonstrate high-level accounting knowledge as you advance in your career. 

Career Progression

Chartered accountants can pursue a variety of career paths, but many progress through stages similar to the following: 

• Entry level (trainee accountant, junior auditor, tax associate): You’ll mainly work under senior staff as you learn core accounting processes. 
• Midlevel (audit manager, senior tax advisor): At this stage, you could be leading your own teams. You’ll also have more responsibilities in managing clients. 
• Senior level (finance director, chief financial officer): Your responsibilities include setting financial strategies and overseeing entire finance functions. You might even offer advisory services at the board level. 

Work Environments

Your career as a Chartered Accountant can take you to many different sectors, including: 

• Mid-tier public accounting firms 
• Big 4 accounting firms (Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, EY) 
• Corporate finance teams 
• Government agencies 
• Nonprofit organizations 

The CA credential is globally recognized, which makes it portable across industries. Some experienced Chartered Accountants might launch independent consulting or advisory practices. 

Specializations

Like CPAs, Chartered Accountants can specialize in specific areas of accounting and finance. Common specializations include: 

• Audit and assurance 
• Taxation 
• Management accounting 
• Forensic accounting 
• Risk and compliance 
• Financial planning and analysis (FP&A) 
• Sustainability reporting 

Each specialization offers unique opportunities for career growth and professional development. As accountants gain experience and expertise in a particular area, they may move into leadership or advisory roles. 

Chartered Accountant vs. CPA: How Do They Compare?

A Chartered Accountant is a globally recognized credential that opens the door to work in different countries. The specific requirements and recognition rules depend on the country and professional accounting body. 

The CPA license is the primary professional accounting credential in the United States, though CPAs may also work internationally depending on local rules and employer needs. 

In simple terms, the CPA is the closest US counterpart to the Chartered Accountant. Both credentials can prepare you for work in financial reporting, taxes, and auditing. The requirements differ, but the career paths and opportunities can overlap. 

To help you compare the 2 paths, here’s a side-by-side look at what these professionals do and what you can expect along the way. 

	Chartered Accountant (CA)	Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Key responsibilities	Auditing and assurance Tax compliance and advisory Financial reporting and analysis Financial advisory services Strategic planning
Common requirements	Bachelor’s degree or higher 3 years’ supervised work experience Successful completion of CA exams Ongoing CPD credits	Education and licensing requirements set by individual US state boards of accountancy Supervised work experience requirements that vary by state Successful completion of a 4-part CPA Exam (75 score or higher) Ongoing continuing professional education credits (CPE) that vary by state
Where they work	Accounting firms Government agencies Nonprofits
Career options	Accountant Junior auditor Tax associate Audit manager Senior tax advisor Financial controller Financial director Partner CFO
Recognition	Commonly used in many countries outside the US	Primary professional accounting credential in the US

Start Building Your Accounting Career

Becoming a Chartered Accountant takes education and professional experience. Whether you’re exploring accounting as a career or planning your next step toward a professional credential, building a strong foundation is a great place to start. 

Intuit Academy offers free, self-paced training to help you build practical accounting and tax skills. These courses can help you strengthen your knowledge and prepare for entry-level accounting and bookkeeping roles. Sign up for free online courses that can help you develop the accounting and tax skills valued in roles at Intuit. 

FAQs

How is a Chartered Accountant different than a CPA?

The biggest difference between a Chartered Accountant and a certified public accountant is international recognition. Both are high-level accounting credentials, but the CA is more widely recognized globally. The CPA is more or less the US equivalent of the CA. 

How long does it take to become a Chartered Accountant?

The timeline depends on the country and professional accounting body. Many CA pathways take several years and include education, professional exams, and supervised practical experience. For example, CA ANZ requires 3 years of mentored practical experience, while ICAEW requires 450 days of practical work experience as part of the ACA qualification. 

Is a Chartered Accountant recognized internationally?

CA designations are recognized in many countries around the world. However, recognition requirements vary by jurisdiction, so you may need to meet additional local requirements or apply for reciprocal membership before practicing in another country. Through organizations such as Chartered Accountants Worldwide, Chartered Accountants are part of a professional community that spans more than 190 countries.