There are multiple careers in the world, two of which are CA and CS. Most commerce students regard them as a dream career. However, there are times when students planning to pursue a career in commerce become confused between the two—CA and CS. Are you among them? Then, the difference between CS and CA is explained here.
The Company Secretary(CS) and the Chartered Accountant(CA) courses are two famous professional courses designed for students belonging to the commerce background. The students can pursue both courses right after completing the 12th standard.
A company secretary mainly focuses on corporate laws, advisory & secretarial roles at the CEO level, as well as strategic management & planning, in contrast to a chartered accountant, who primarily focuses on accounting & auditing, management accounting, and taxation.
Through this article, we will do a comparison of CA vs CS, the scope of both courses, and more.
What is Better CA or CS
CA and CS: Both courses have different purposes and cannot be compared as their syllabus differs from each other. CA is more focused on numbers whereas CS is like an in-house legal advisor.
However, we have discussed the key differences in the following table:
| Particulars | Chartered Accountant (CA) | Company Secretary (CS) |
| Description | CA course provides a deep understanding of accounting and finances. | The CS course provides an understanding of company law and corporate governance. |
| Duration | 4.5 years | 3 years |
| Levels | The following are the three levels in CA: CA FoundationCA IntermediateCA Final | The following are the three levels in CS: CSEETCS Executive ProgrammeProfessional Programme |
| Training | 3 years | 15 months |
| Role | A CA is required to provide the company with financial and tax advice. | A cs ensures that the company adheres to internal policies as well as external legal and regulatory requirements |
| Conducted By | The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) | The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) |
CA vs CS Which Has Better Scope
CA should be taken into consideration if the candidate wants to pursue a career in finance or accounting, whereas CS is the best choice for those who want to pursue higher-level managerial positions or careers in legal management.
The CS course gives students the skills necessary to manage the legal and financial departments of a company. The duties of a company secretary include managing the tax records of the company and ensuring that all legal and statutory requirements are met, whereas those of a chartered accountant is more focused on managing accounts as well as analyzing and controlling risk in business endeavors.
In addition to maintaining a record of the company’s financial transactions, chartered accountants also offer financial guidance for the company’s advancement. Both courses have good scope as long as the candidate is willing to study and build their skills. Both can earn a good amount of salary.
How Do I Choose Between CA and CS
It is absolutely normal to get confused while choosing between CA and CS. Both of them serve different purposes in an organization. The student also pursues CS after completing CA, and vice versa.
One can keep the following points in mind while choosing the course:
| Particulars | CA | CS |
| Nature | CA deals with the analysis of financial statements. | CS is more theoretical in nature. |
| Entrance Exam | CA Foundation | CSEET |
| Suitable for | The candidates who have an inclination toward finance | The candidates who have an inclination towards legal and theoretical. |
| Practical Training | The candidates pursuing CA must complete their articleship within the study period. | The candidates pursuing CS can go for practical training after the final exam. |
| Duration | The duration for CA is 4.5 years | The duration for CS is 3 years |
| Levels | Three levels | Three levels |
FAQ: Difference Between CS And CA
1. Is CS equal to CA?
No, a company secretary focuses on corporate laws, advisory and secretarial roles at the CEO level, as well as strategic management and planning, whereas a chartered accountant concentrates more on the concepts of accounts and auditing, management accounting, taxation, and consulting.
2. Is CS easier than CA?
CS is comparatively easier than CA, as the duration is also shorter and there is no pressure to pursue practical training during the course.
3. Who earns higher CA or CS?
The Chartered Accountant’s average salary is somewhere between 7-8 lakhs per annum as a fresher whereas Company Secretary has an average salary of 5-6 lakhs. One can earn more as well, it depends on the skills of the candidate.
4. Can a CS become CEO?
Yes, CS is already in a senior position. There, a CS can become a CEO of an organization as well.
Wrapping up
The roles and responsibilities of CA and CS differ in many ways. After comparing the difference between CS and CA, it is evident that CA is more quantitative in nature, whereas CS is more qualitative in nature. It totally depends on the candidates, who have to pursue as per their interest; some candidates also pursue CA after CS.
You can also do the same and become highly successful. Share this with someone who is thinking of pursuing a CA or CS.
