Chartered Accountant (CA) Salary in India

Jaro Education
30, May 2025
2:00 pm

When it comes to pursuing a prestigious and rewarding career, nothing can be better than chartered accountancy. With the demand for financial expertise increasing across industries, the demand for qualified professionals is also increasing. Consequently, the increasing salary for Chartered Accountants is making this profession attractive, and many individuals are eager to enter this field. Whether working in multinational corporations, auditing firms, or running their practice, Chartered Accountants enjoy lucrative pay packages that reflect their skills and responsibilities.

Therefore, understanding the average salary of a CA in India can offer valuable insights, and this article covers it, which will help aspirants make a sound career choice.

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The Beginning - Starting CA Salary in India

Fresher Chartered Accountants will always be inquisitive about the CA starting salary in India. The entry-level positions offered to fresh CAs generally are management trainees, junior auditors, etc. The initial CA salary per month can range approximately from ₹30,000 to ₹70,000 or even higher.

Big accounting firms like Deloitte, KPMG, etc., or reputed multinational corporations generally offer a higher chartered accountant salary, even for freshers.

However, starting salaries are low in smaller firms or domestic companies. However, they are also valuable as they provide experience and growth opportunities. Beginners must not only focus on the CA salary. They must also work on developing themselves.

Why Experience is Essential for a Chartered Accountant?

With experience, the average salary of a CA in India increases. As the professionals hone their skills and improve their knowledge, they are promoted through the ranks and take up new responsibilities. Gradually, the organizations start depending on them to steer them through the financial challenges and ensure feasibility.

Naturally, such dedicated individuals are also compensated well. Some of their responsible roles are finance manager and head of internal audit. An extraordinary performer can also become a Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

An Overview of Salaries – Both for Freshers and Experienced CAs

Aspiring CAs may want to know what the salary of a CA, after passing the exam. Here is an overview of the salary based on experience. However, the salaries mentioned here are approximate and are subject to change.

Entry-Level (0-2 years’ experience): ₹3 lakhs to ₹8 lakhs per annum.
Mid-Level (3-5 years’ experience): ₹6 lakhs to ₹15 lakhs per annum.
Senior Level (5-10 years’ experience): ₹15 lakhs to ₹30 lakhs+ per annum.
Leadership Level (10+ years’ experience): ₹30 lakhs to ₹1 crore+ per annum.

How Industries Influence the CA Salary?

Only clearing the CA exam is not enough to get a handsome salary. What matters is the industry in which the chartered accountant works, as it significantly impacts the CA’s salary. Certain industries offer exceptionally high salaries than others, for the same qualifications and expertise. For example –

Multinational Corporations (MNCs): The salaries offered by these companies are quite high. Unlike smaller organizations, they also provide other benefits. So, chartered accountants are well rewarded here.
Investment Banking and Financial Services: This is a sector that acts like a gold mine for CAs. And if the professional is involved in company programs like mergers and acquisitions, investment analysis, etc., more financial benefits follow.
Information Technology (IT) and IT-Enabled Services: CAs who are experts in areas like fintech, data analytics, cybersecurity, etc., are in high demand in these companies, and their salaries are also attractive.
Consulting (Management and Financial): These firms, especially the big ones like McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, etc., offer lucrative packages to CAs with analytical knowledge.
Manufacturing and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG): Despite being traditional, these sectors employ a large number of CAs, mostly in finance, accounting, and taxation. They offer stable career paths and competitive salaries.
Government Organizations: CAs are also important for the government. Such jobs are secure, and there are also other benefits and growth opportunities.

Impact of Location on CA Salary

Not only the company but also the town or city where one works matters. Location decides the CA salary in India. Due to the high living costs in prominent metropolises like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, etc., the pay package for CAs is also quite high.

The CA salary per month differs largely for the same role in another city. So, caution is needed before accepting any job or promotion that involves relocation.

Why is it Necessary to Learn More Skills and Do Specializations?

The chartered accountant offers an excellent pay package, and it is also a respectable job profile. Hence, the students try to clear the CA exam, no matter how much difficulty they face. Even in the job field, upskilling and doing specializations are necessary to increase the earning potential. Some examples of such programs are –

Taxation (Direct and Indirect)
Auditing and Assurance
Financial Accounting and Reporting
Forensic Accounting and Fraud Detection
Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
Valuation and Investment Banking
Information Systems Audit (ISA)

Pursuing some additional certifications like CFA also helps in a chartered accountancy career. However, only doing certifications is not enough; professionals have to implement these skills in their work. Only then will their expertise reflect, and their employers will be bound to give them a considerable hike.

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Benefits Other Than the Pay Package of a CA

CA salary is, of course, important, but there are also many other benefits that organizations generally offer. Some of these are –

Incentives: Incentives based on performance, bonuses, stock options, etc.
Various Allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Travel Allowance, etc.
Other Benefits: Health insurance, retirement plans (Provident Fund, Gratuity), paid leaves, etc.
Work-Life Balance and Company Culture: Factors that contribute to overall job satisfaction.
Learning and Development Opportunities: Sponsorship for certifications, training programs, etc.

An overall evaluation including the above benefits will satisfy a CA, as this job offers not only financial but also non-financial rewards.

Conclusion

It is clear by now that the CA salary is largely dependent on various other factors in this country. Everything, from the firm one works for to the location where he/she is based, plays a part in determining the remuneration of chartered accountants. However, experience and skill levels are the ultimate contributors to the average salary of CAs in India.

So, it is safe to conclude that being a CA promises a rewarding career, monetarily and otherwise. But getting there is not easy. The examination process is tough and rigorous, and demands a lot of sacrifices. Additionally, people who fail to upskill with time also lose out.

Therefore, aspirants should consider these factors besides drooling over the chartered accountant salary and prepare themselves to find their dream career in this domain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is gender important in deciding the CA salary?

Not really. Experience and expertise are the deciding factors for the CA salary in India.

Which factors should to consider while negotiating a better CA salary in India?

While negotiating for a better chartered accountant salary, one must outline his/her achievements as a professional, his/her expertise in the domain, and how he/she can contribute to the growth of the company.