ICAIFoundation and Direct Entry Students: articleship Requirements After CA Inter Exams

Upon successful clearing of the Chartered Accountant (CA) Intermediate (CA Inter) exams, a critical step for aspiring CA professionals is to commence articleship training. This article will clarify the requirements for both Foundation and Direct Entry Route students pursuing their CA career, ensuring they meet the necessary conditions to embark on their articleship journey.

Overview of CA Intermediate Exams and Articleship

Following the completion of the CA Inter exams in May 2023, many candidates wonder if they need to clear both groups to start with articleship. Indeed, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) mandates that candidates must successfully clear both groups to be eligible for articleship training. However, this requirement can vary based on the timing of your exams and the specific rules in place.

Requirements for Foundation and Direct Entry Route Students

The rule applies to all categories of CA Intermediate students, including both Foundation and Direct Entry Route candidates. In the older scheme, a student could begin articleship after clearing only one group. However, with the new guidelines, candidates are required to pass both groups of the CA Inter exams before starting articleship training.

Important Considerations and Deadlines

Before finalizing your articleship, there are some key points to consider. According to the latest notifications from ICAI, any candidate wishing to commence articleship as of July 1, 2023, must have successfully cleared both groups of the ICAI Intermediate exams. Additionally, it is mandatory to complete a 4-week course on ICITSS (ICAI Course in Information Technology for Statutory Services) before starting articleship.

For candidates who registered for CA Intermediate as a Direct Entry Route student on or before June 30, 2023, and have completed the 4-week ICITSS course by the same date, an exception applies. They can still start articleship even if they have not yet cleared both groups of the exams, provided both conditions are met. This special allowance also applies to Foundation route students who have registered for the CA Intermediate course by the specified deadline and have completed the ICITSS course.

Conclusion

The requirements for starting articleship after clearing the CA Inter exams are clear and specific, with ICAI providing guidelines to ensure students meet the necessary criteria. Foundation and Direct Entry Route students must clear both groups of the CA Inter exams for articleship, unless they fall under the special exception conditions mentioned above. It is imperative to stay informed about the latest updates and check with your coaching institute for accurate and up-to-date information to smoothly navigate the CA certification process.