Chartered Accountancy (CA) is amongst the most respected and difficult professions in Pakistan. It opens doors to numerous professional opportunities across different industries including auditing, taxation, finance, consultancy and business management. A Chartered Accountant (CA) in Pakistan is a professional designation granted to individuals who have completed rigorous educational training and passed a series of examinations by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) while gaining relevant practical experience.
Roadmap to become a Chartered Accountant in Pakistan
Intermediate Level Education for CA
First step for CA is intermediate education (FSc, A-Levels or equivalent). Subjects like accounting, economics and business studies could be helpful but they are not essential for admission in a CA program.
ICAP Registration for CA
After passing their basic academic qualification then they have to register with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan. The CA profession in Pakistan is regulated by ICAP. ICAP sets the curriculum and organizes the exams for the CA qualification.
Articleship (Practical Training) for CA
Articleship is one of the most important requirements for CA qualification in Pakistan. This is a compulsory Training period which runs around 3 years. Students work under the guidance of a qualified CA in a firm for accounting or auditing, in a corporation or a public sector organization.
Articleship makes students practical. The experience builds foundational knowledge in auditing, taxation, financial reporting and management accounting.
Examinations of CA
The CA qualification is awarded by passing a series of exams administered by ICAP. The exams are divided into multiple levels. The typical structure of CA exams in Pakistan is as follows:
Module A (Knowledge Level): This level tests students on basic principles of accounting, economics, business law and mathematics. It provides the foundational knowledge needed for the more advanced levels of CA.
Module B (Application Level): It focuses on the application of accounting and financial management principles. It includes topics such as financial accounting, auditing, taxation and business strategy.
Module C (Strategic Level): The final one is about strategic financial management, advanced auditing, corporate law and business ethics. This is where students are expected to show their critical thinking skills and offer solutions to more serious financial challenges.
CPD and Membership for CA
Once clearing the examination and completing Articleship, students can apply for ICAP membership. Chartered Accountants need to participate in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in Pakistan to stay up to date with the developments of the financial regulations, business practices and accounting standards.
Also read: A Complete Guide To Prepare For CSS Exam
Fee Structure for CA in Pakistan
The following table provides an approximate breakdown of costs at various stages of the CA program:
| Stage | Description | Fee Range (PKR) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fees | Initial registration fee for CA program at ICAP | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Examination Fees | Fees for individual exams in each module | 3,000 – 5,000 per subject |
| Tuition Fees | Fees for preparatory classes (varies by institute) | 30,000 – 50,000 per semester |
| CAP1 (Certificate in Accounting & Finance) | Fee for CAP1 level registration and exams | 25,000 – 50,000 |
| CAP2 (Professional Stage) | Fee for CAP2 level registration and exams | 30,000 – 70,000 |
| CAF (Chartered Accountancy Finals) | Final professional exam fees (for each paper) | 7,000 – 10,000 per subject |
| Membership Fees | Fees for becoming a member of ICAP after qualification | 20,000 – 30,000 annually |
| Training Fees (Article Ship) | Fee for articled training (typically paid to the firm) | 15,000 – 30,000 per month |
| Books and Study Material | Books and online material costs | 5,000 – 15,000 per level |
| Total Estimated Fee | Estimated total fee for completing the entire CA program | 350,000 – 600,000+ |
Career in Pakistan as a Chartered Accountant
The following areas of expertise are some of the popular career options for the CAs:
Public Accounting Firms
The award of a chartered accountancy (CA) to a student in Pakistan is often a source of pride as it opens up the doors to many lucrative opportunities for the student within Pakistan or abroad due to high demand for CAs worldwide.
Pakistan has a large number of CAs employed by the top tier of public accounting like Deloitte, PwC, Ernst & Young (EY) and KPMG, A.F. Ferguson & Co. and Hafeez Pirzada & Co. CAs provide clients of these firms audit, taxation and advisory services.
Corporate Sector
Chartered Accountants are in demand across Pakistan’s corporate sector with opportunities in both large corporations and small to medium enterprises (SMEs). The CAs work in positions of Leadership such as CFO (Chief Financial Officer), Financial Controller, Internal Auditor or Head of Taxation.
Government and Public Sector
CAs also get jobs in government ministries, public sector entities and in regulatory departments including the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the FBR.
Academia and Teaching
Some CAs pursue teaching careers, teaching accounting, finance and related subjects at colleges or professional training schools. This allows them to influence the next generation of finance professionals.
