How Long Does It Take to Complete CA CS and CMA Courses?

The duration to complete the Chartered Accountant (CA), Company Secretary (CS), and Cost and Management Accountant (CMA) courses can vary based on several factors, including the specific program structure, your study pace, and whether you choose to pursue these courses simultaneously or sequentially. Here is a general overview of the typical timeframes for each course.

Chartered Accountant (CA)

Duration: Typically takes about 3 to 5 years.

Phases: The CA course in India has three levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. After passing the Foundation level, students usually take around 2-3 years to complete the Intermediate and Final levels, depending on their preparation and exam attempts.

Company Secretary (CS)

Duration: Generally takes about 2 to 3 years.

Phases: The CS course has three stages: Foundation, Professional, and Specialization. Students can complete the Foundation level in about 6 months, followed by the Professional and Specialization levels, which can take about 1-2 years, depending on the exam schedule and preparation time.

Cost and Management Accountant (CMA)

Duration: Usually takes about 3 to 4 years.

Phases: The CMA course has three levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. Similar to CA and CS, the timeline can vary based on exam attempts and preparation.

Simultaneous Pursuit

If you plan to pursue these courses simultaneously, it is feasible to complete all three within 5 to 7 years, depending on your study schedule, exam attempts, and personal circumstances.

Summary

Overall Estimated Duration: 5 to 7 years for all three courses if studied together; 8 to 12 years if pursued sequentially with breaks or delays.

It is important to stay updated with the respective institutes' guidelines as changes in curriculum or exam patterns can affect these timelines.

Considerations for Your Career Goals

We can certainly delve into the CA aspect. The time required to complete these courses can depend significantly on how quickly you can clear the exams. If you can clear the exams in a first attempt, that’s great. Assuming that CS and CMA are generally easier to do compared to the CA, the question arises: what are your long-term career goals?

What Are You Trying to Achieve?

If you want to work as a CA: You don’t need to pursue CS and CMA. If you are looking to work in core finance roles as a stepping stone: You don’t need to pursue both a CA and CMA, if that is your primary objective. If you are aiming to be a CS: Why put yourself through the rigors of the CA exams? If your goal is in management accounting: Both the CA and CS qualifications are not strictly necessary.

The Bottom Line: carefully consider your long-term goals. You don’t need to do every qualification under the sun. This will only confuse a recruiter.

Hope this helps,