Accounting Technician Course (ATC)

Course (ATC)

A candidate who doesn’t wish to pursue CA Course may opt for the Accounting Technician Course. It is to be noted that Group I of Intermediate (IPC) Course (alongwith one year of experience under a Chartered Accountant) is equivalent to ATC. A candidate who does not wish to complete erstwhile Intermediate/PE-II/PCC/IPCC can opt for ATC.

Enrol with the Institute for Common Proficiency Course (CPC) after passing class 10th examination

Appear in CPT after appearing in the senior secondary examination (10+2 examination) Enrol for ATC

Complete eight months of study course from the date of ATC registration Complete Orientation Programme of one week

Complete Information Technology Training (ITT)
Appear and pass Accounting Technician Examination (ATE)
Complete one year work experience under a chartered accountant in practice or in industry

Be designated as an “Accounting Technician”.

Subjects

Paper - 1 Accounting (100 Marks)
Paper - 2 Business Law, Ethics and Communication (100 Marks)
Paper - 3 Cost Accounting and Financial Management (100 Marks)
Paper - 4 Taxation (100 Marks).

Options to Pursue CA Course

After becoming an Accounting Technician

Enrol for Group II of Intermediate (IPC) Course
Register as an Articled Assistant for a period of three years
Appear and pass Group II of Intermediate (IPC) Examination comprising of three papers Register for CA Final Course and prepare for CA Final Examination
Undergo 15 days GMCS I during the first year of Practical Training
Undergo 15 days General Management and Communication Skills (GMCS II) during 19-36 months of Practical Training

Complete three years period of Articled Training

Appear in the Final Examination on completion of the Practical Training or while serving last six months of the training on or before the last day of the month preceding the month in which the examination is to be held .
Pass the final examination and complete GMCS II, if not completed earlier Enrol as a member of ICAI and be designated as a “Chartered Accountant”.

Fees, Stipend & Financial Assistance

Broad Fee Structure

Course                                                                                   Amount

Common Proficiency Test (CPT) Registration Fee                         6,000

Intermediate (Integrated Professional Competence) Course

(Both Groups) Registration Fee                                                    9,000

Articled Training Fee                                                                   2,000

Final Course Registration Fee                                                    10,000

100 Hours Information Technology Training                                  4,000

100 Hours Advanced Information Technology Training                  5,000

35 Hours Orientation Programme                                                3,000

GMCS I                                                                                    5,500

GMCS II                                                                                   5,500

Total                                                                                       50,000

Stipend during Practical Training

Chartered Accountancy Course is one of the few professional courses in this part of the world to provide an appreciable level of stipend to students while they are undergoing Practical Training. Present scales of stipends have been given on page 28 of this booklet.

Scholarships

The Institute grants various scholarships twice a year, to students namely, Merit, Merit-cum-Need based, Need based and Weaker-sections scholarships out of the funds of the Institute and Endowment Schemes created by individual donors/trustees/ societies.

Fee Exemption

Fees exemptions/concessions are also given to different categories of CA students like meritorious students, differently abled students, children of military and para-military forces who have lost either of their parents in action.

Competency/Skills

Enhancing Programmes

Orientation Programme

With a view to groom and motivate the entrants to be good professionals, the Orientation Programme has been made an integral part of the CA Course curriculum.

The programme is of 35 hours duration spread over 5 to 7 days.

Students are advised to visit www.icaionlineregistration.org for registration to batches of the Orientation Programme and ensure that they complete the programme well in time.

Information Technology Training

Information Technology Training (ITT) is an integral part of the CA course curriculum.

Training focusses on the application softwares relevant for Accounting and Auditing.

It is compulsory to complete Orientation Programme and ITT before joining Articled Training.

Students are advised to visit www.icaionlineregistration.org for registration to batches of the ITT and ensure that they complete the course well in time.

Three Years' Practical Training

A student of CA course is mandatorily required to undergo a unique Three Years' Practical Training (also called as Articled/Audit Training) under a practicing Chartered Accountant. During the training, articled trainees get exposure to a wide array of fields, namely, Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Information Technology, Corporate and Allied Laws and Management Services for detailed information kindly refer page 25 of this booklet.

Two Courses on General Management & Communication Skills (GMCS)

Two 15 days’ full time Courses on General Management and Communication Skills equip the entrants to the profession with interpersonal and management skills.


GMCS I shall be undergone during the first year of Practical Training.

GMCS II shall be undergone during 19-36 months of Practical Training (for students registering for Practical Training on or after 1st May, 2012).

These courses are prerequisite for membership enrolment of the Institute.

Students who undergo the four weeks’ Residential Programme on Professional Skills and Development are exempted from attending the GMCS II.

The time spent by the students for undergoing GMCS I & GMCS II will be treated as a part of the Practical Training.

Students are advised to visit www.icaionlineregistration.org for registration to batches of the GMCS I & GMCS II and ensure that they complete the courses well in time.

Advanced Information Technology Training

Students registering for Practical Training after 1st Feb, 2013 are required to undergo Advanced ITT also. As per the Council’s decision, such students who are eligible to appear for their Final Examination in November 2015 and onwards are required to complete this Course before appearing for their Final Examination.

The time spent by the students for undergoing Advanced ITT will be treated as a part of the Practical Training.

Students are advised to visit www.icaionlineregistration.org for registration to batches of the Advanced ITT Course and ensure that they complete the course well in time.

Four Weeks’ Residential Programme on Professional Skills Development (Optional)

To imbibe the professional skills required for effective functioning in business organisations and the profession, the Board of Studies organises Four Weeks’ Residential Programme at ICAI’s Centre of Excellence, Hyderabad.

This programme offers a unique opportunity and focusses on development of communication skills, leadership skills, personal traits as well as technical skills for effective functioning in business organisations and profession.

All students who have passed Chartered Accountancy Final or IPCC/PCC/Intermediate (IPC) examination and are pursuing third year of Practical Training or have completed Practical Training may join the course.

Exemption from GMCS/GMCS II 

15 Days GMCS Course - Students who have registered for Articled Training before 1st May, 2012 are not required to undergo the 15 days GMCS Course.
GMCS II under New Scheme - Students who have registered for Articled Training on or after 1st May, 2012 are not required to undergo the GMCS II Course.

Final Course

Final Stage

A student, after clearing the Intermediate (IPC) Course Joins the Final Course.

Subjects

Group I

Paper - 1: Financial Reporting (100 Marks)
Paper - 2: Strategic Financial Management (100 Marks)
Paper - 3: Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics (100 Marks)
Paper - 4: Corporate and Allied Laws (100 Marks)
Section A: Company Law (70 Marks)
Section B: Allied Laws (30 Marks).

Group II

Paper - 5: Advanced Management Accounting (100 Marks)
Paper - 6: Information Systems Control and Audit (100 Marks)
Paper - 7: Direct Tax Laws (100 Marks)
Paper - 8: Indirect Tax Laws (100 Marks)
Section A: Central Excise (25 Marks)
Section B: Service Tax (50 Marks)
Section C: Customs & Foreign Trade Policy (25 Marks)

Intermediate

Integrated Professional Competence Course

A student, after clearing the CPT, may register for the Intermediate (Integrated Professional Competence) [Intermediate (IPC)] Course. Alternatively, as explained earlier, graduates and post-graduates or Intermediate passed students of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India or the Institute of Cost Accountants of India with specified marks* may directly register for the Intermediate (IPC) Course. During Intermediate (IPC) Course, a student has to undergo a study course of eight months. Simultaneously, he has to undergo Orientation Programme and ITT. Graduates and Post-graduates joining the Intermediate (IPC) Course directly have to concurrently complete 8 months of study course and 9 months of practical training before appearing for the Intermediate (IPC) examination.

Subjects

Group I

Paper - 1:  Accounting (100 Marks)
Paper - 2:  Business Law, Ethics and Communication (100 Marks)
Part - I: Law (60 marks) comprising
        Business Laws (30 Marks) and
        Company Law (30 Marks)
Part – II: Ethics (20 Marks)
Part - III: Communication (20 Marks)
Paper - 3:  Cost Accounting and Financial Management (100 Marks)
Part - I: Cost Accounting (50 Marks) and
Part - II: Financial Management (50 Marks)
Paper -4:   Taxation (100 Marks)
Part - I:     Income Tax (50 Marks)
Part -II:     Indirect Taxes (50 M arks)

Group II

Paper - 5:  Advanced Accounting (100 Marks)
Paper - 6:  Auditing and Assurance (100 Marks)
Paper - 7:  Information Technology and Strategic Management (100 Marks)
Part - I:     Information Technology (50 Marks) and
Part - II:    Strategic Management  (50 Marks)

Common Proficiency Test

Entry Level Test
Scheme

Pass Class 10th Examination.
Register with the Board of Studies for Common Proficiency Course (CPC) and collect the study material from nearest Branches or Decentralised Offices or Regional Offices of the Institute.
Appear in Senior Secondary Examination (10+2) and simultaneously pursue studies for CPT.
Eligible to Appear in Common Proficiency Test (CPT) conducted by Examination Department of ICAI after completion of the specified period of 60 days of registration and after appearing in the Senior Secondary Examination (10+2).
Students Registered for CPC should apply separately to the Examination Department for appearing in CPT. Common Proficiency Test is held in the months of June and December each year.

Subjects :-

Session - I

Two Sections - Two hours 100 Marks
Section A - Fundamentals of Accounting (60 Marks)
Section B - Mercantile Law  (40 Marks).

Session - II
Two Sections - Two hours 100 Marks
Section C - General Economics  (50 Marks)
Section D - Quantitative Aptitude  (50 Marks)

CA Course Curriculum

Students can pursue the Chartered Accountancy course either through Common Proficiency Test (CPT) route or through Direct Entry Scheme, introduced in August 1, 2012.

CPT Route

For a student coming through the CPT route, there is a three tier structure:

1. Entry Level Test Common Proficiency Test

2. First Stage         Intermediate (Integrated Professional Competence) Course

3. Final Stage Final Course


During the CA Course duration, students are imparted technical skills through Information Technology Training and Advanced Information Technology Training and Interpersonal Skills through Orientation Programme and two General Management and Communication Skills Courses.

Requirements for Becoming a Chartered Accountant:

Through CPT Route

Enrol with the Institute for Common Proficiency Course (CPC) after passing class 10th examination.
After completion of specified period i.e. 60 days from the date of registration for CPC with the Board of Studies and after appearing in 10+2 examination, apply (to Examination Department) appear and pass in CPT.
Enrol for Group I or Group II or for both Groups of Intermediate (IPC) Course.
Complete Orientation Programme of one week, necessarily before joining the Practical Training.
Complete Information Technology Training (ITT) necessarily before joining the Practical Training.
Appear in the Intermediate (IPC) Examination on completion of eight months of study course as on first day of the month in which the examination is to be held.
Join Practical Training after passing either Group I or both groups of Intermediate (IPC) Course.
Complete General Management and Communication Skills (GMCS I) Course (15 days) during the first year of Practical Training.
Complete General Management and Communication Skills (GMCS II) Course (15 days) during19 - 36 months of Practical Training.
Clear Group II of Intermediate (IPC) Examination if not done earlier.
Register for CA Final Course and prepare for the CA Final Examination.
Complete Advanced Information Technology Training before appearing in the Final Examination.
Complete Practical Training of three years.
Appear in the Final Examination on completion of the Practical Training or while serving last six months of articled training on or before the last day of the month preceding the month in which the examination is to be held.

Pass the Final Examination.

Enrol as a member of the ICAI and be designated as a “Chartered Accountant”.

Direct Entry Scheme

For a student coming through the Direct Entry Scheme, there is a two tier structure:

1. First Stage         Intermediate (Integrated Professional Competence) Course

2. Final Stage Final Course

Requirements for Becoming a Chartered Accountant: Through Direct Entry Scheme
I.Commerce Graduates/Post-graduates (55%) or Other Graduates/Post-graduates (60%)
Enrol with the Institute for Intermediate (Integrated Professional Competence) Course for both groups.
Complete Orientation Programme spanning one week and Information Technology Training (ITT).
Register for Practical Training of three years.
Complete General Management and Communication Skills (GMCS I) Course (15 days) during the first year of Practical Training.
Appear in Intermediate (Integrated Professional Competence) Examination after nine months of Practical Training and Study Course of eight months concurrently from the date of registration for the Intermediate (Integrated Professional Competence) Course.
Appear and pass in both groups of Intermediate (Integrated Professional Competence) Course.
Register for CA Final Course and prepare for CA Final Examination.
Complete General Management and Communication Skills (GMCS II) Course (15 days) during 19-36 months of Practical Training.
Complete Advanced Information Technology Training before appearing in the Final Examination.
Complete three years of Practical Training.
Appear in the Final Examination while serving last six months of Practical Training on or before the last day of the month preceding the month in which the examinations held.
Pass the Final Examination.
Enrol as a member of ICAI and be designated as a “Chartered Accountant”.
II.Candidates who have passed Intermediate level examination of The Institute of Company Secretaries of India and The Institute of Cost Accountants of India
Enrol with the Institute for Intermediate (Integrated Professional Competence) Course either for both Groups or Group I.

Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament viz., The Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 (Act No. XXXVIII of 1949) for regulating the profession of Chartered Accountancy in the country. The Institute, which functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, has five Regional Councils and 150 branches covering the length and breadth of the country. In addition, it has also set up chapters outside India. It also has an office in Dubai.

Founded 66 years ago with just 1,700 members, the Institute has grown to cross the mark of 2,44,000 members and about 8.79 lakh active students as of now. A significant majority of our me999bership is in practice, with a good deal of specialisation in traditional areas of direct/indirect taxes and in emerging areas, inter-alia, in financial services, information technology, insurance sector, joint ventures, mutual funds, exchange risk management, risk and assurance service, environment/energy/quality audits, investment counselling, corporate structuring and foreign collaborations. Those in employment occupy senior positions such as CMDs in Banks/Financial Institutions, CEOs in leading and reputed public and private sector companies, etc.

No extension of date for filing of returns due by 30th September

Income-tax returns for Assessment Year 2015-16 for certain categories of assesses
viz companies, and firms, individuals engaged in proprietary business/profession etc
whose accounts are required to be audited, are to be filed by 30th September, 2015.
The audit report is also required to be filed by the said date.
The Government has received representations from various stakeholders seeking
extension of date for filing of returns and tax audit reports beyond 30th September
2015. The reasons cited are delay in notifying the returns and related delay in
availability of forms on the e-filing website.
The matter has been considered. Income-tax returns forms 3,4,5,6 and 7 which are
used by the above mentioned categories of assesses were notified for Assessment
Year 2015-16 on 29.07.2015. The forms were e-enabled and were available on the
e-filing website of the Department from 7th August 2015 giving enough time for
compliance. The changes made to these forms are not extensive as compared to the
earlier years. Further taxpayers entering into either international transactions or
specified domestic transactions are required to file their returns by 30th November
2015 only.
After consideration of all facts, it has been decided that the last date for filing of
returns due by 30th September 2015 will not be extended. Taxpayers are advised to
file their returns well in time to avoid last minute rush.