Chartered accountancy: A career beyond the usual path

When Saymon enrolled in the BBA programme at Jahangirnagar University to major in Accounting, he considered himself fortunate. But as the semesters went by, the prestige of the degree felt less reassuring.

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The job market seemed overcrowded, with too many graduates competing for too few opportunities. By the time he was preparing to graduate, he felt the need to look beyond. That's when he chose to pursue something that promised a professional edge—chartered accountancy (CA).

"Seeing the intense competition in the job market, and after looking into what CA could offer, I felt it was the most practical path for me," said Saymon, now a CA trainee.

What is chartered accountancy?

CA represents the highest level of professional expertise in accounting. In most countries, it is known as CA, while in the United States, Canada, and Australia, the equivalent designation is CPA—Certified Public Accountant.

It is not an academic degree in the traditional sense. It is a professional qualification, recognised internationally. In Bangladesh, it is offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB). The academic structure, the training requirements and the recognition attached to the qualification make it distinct from the degrees awarded by universities.

A graduate in Accounting may be known as an accountant, but someone who holds a CA or CPA is recognised as a professional of a different level. This distinction matters in employment, as firms and multinationals place higher value on the professional qualification.

The perks of CA

The appeal of CA lies in its recognition. According to Saymon, opportunities for CAs are growing across the world, especially in developing economies like Bangladesh. The rise of multinationals and corporate firms has created more demand for professionals who can work in accounts, audit, taxation and financial management. 

From non-profit organisations to international corporations, CAs occupy responsible roles in a wide range of sectors. The salaries of CAs are significantly higher than those of regular accountants with only a bachelor's degree, often starting in the six-figure range for freshers.

Saymon said that many firms prefer to retain the students they have trained, others choose to leave for better salaries in multinationals or the corporate sector. For a young graduate, that pathway often feels more attractive than staying within a training firm.

One advantage of CA is its flexibility in entry. Students may start after HSC or after graduation. For HSC students, a combined GPA of 9 across SSC and HSC, with GPA-5 in at least one, is required. English-medium students must meet their own criteria of points in O and A Levels.

Although anyone done with their 12th grade can go for CA, many just prefer to do it after completing their bachelor's.

"Those who complete a bachelor's and then pursue CA are required to work in a firm for three years," said Saymon. "If someone begins right after A Levels or Higher Secondary, then the training period becomes four years. There is a fixed salary during this time, though the amount is not very high. ICAB sets a minimum monthly allowance, but many firms offer more than that."

Current undergraduates can enrol in a Pre-Articleship programme, which allows them to complete the Certificate level while still at university.

The appeal of CA lies in its recognition. Opportunities for CAs are growing across the world, especially in developing economies like Bangladesh. The rise of multinationals and corporate firms has created more demand for professionals who can work in accounts, audit, taxation and financial management.

CA has three levels—Certificate, Professional, and Advanced. Together they cover seventeen subjects. Exams are held three times a year in Dhaka and Chattogram. If one completes all the levels at their first try, the course of the journey will cost around one and a half lakh taka.

Hira Hossain, a chartered accountant at Ernst & Young Bangladesh, explained, "In today's job market, many still aspire to get government jobs. But competition is extremely high and vacancies are limited, while the private sector is also not very appealing. CA, on the other hand, is a professional degree—much like medicine or engineering. Once you obtain this qualification, securing a job becomes relatively easier."

For many graduates from public universities, particularly those in finance and accounting, CA now appears to be a realistic way forward, according to Hira. Even for students from science or humanities, the option is open. ICAB allows candidates from any discipline to apply, though those without a business or accounting background need to put in extra effort.

Think before you choose

While going for a CA programme might seem a lucrative one, it is certainly not for everyone. The training period comes with an allowance, but it is barely modest. It is enough for personal expenses, but not to support a family. For three years or more, a student may have to rely on their family, let alone contribute to it. Not everyone can afford it.

The work itself is demanding. "CA demands a great deal of hard work," said Hira. "It is essentially like a full-time job. Alongside office work, one also needs to study for the examinations. Not everyone can handle that pressure."

The official duration is three or four years depending on the entry point. But according to Hira, in practice, many take longer. Some require five or six years. A few may even take a decade or more. "Those who remain consistent and disciplined can finish within the set time, but not everyone manages to do so. The attrition rate is high, and that has become part of the profession's reputation," Hira said.  

It all comes down to one word—balance. On one side is the recognition and opportunity that comes with a professional degree that is respected globally. On the other hand is the pressure of balancing training with study, the modest allowance during the articleship years, and the possibility of a prolonged journey.

As Hira put it, "If you are not ready to devote yourself fully, it will feel overwhelming. It is about finding the balance between hard work and patience."