Chartered Accountant - CA

What Does Chartered Accountant - CA Mean?

An accounting designation given to accounting professionals in many countries around the world outside of the United States. A Chartered Accountant (CA) designation typically proves the holder has the qualifications to audit financial statements and business practices as well as offer advisory services to clientèle. The equivalent to a CA designation in the U.S. is the CPA.

Investopedia explains Chartered Accountant - CA

Chartered Accountants claim to be the first accounting group to form a professional body, in 1854 in Britain. Today there are many organizations that such accountants belong to across the world, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales in the UK and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants in Canada. The CA designation in Canada is one of the few designations transferable to a CPA in the U.S. by writing a reciprocity exam.

Chartered Accountant

Chartered Accountants were the first accountants to form a professional body, initially established in Britain in 1854. The Edinburgh Society of Accountants (formed 1854), the Glasgow Institute of Accountants and Actuaries (1854) and the Aberdeen Society of Accountants (1867) were each granted a royal charter almost from their inception. The title is an internationally recognised professional designation.

Chartered Accountants work in all fields of business and finance. Some are engaged in public practice work, others work in the private sector and some are employed by government bodies.

Chartered Accountants Institutes require members to undertake a minimum level of continuing professional development to stay ahead of their peers. They facilitate special interest groups - lead academic and professional thinking in accountancy. They provide support to members by offering advisory services, technical helplines and technical libraries. They offer opportunities for professional networking and career and business development.

In the United States the approximate equivalent is thecertified public accountant.

An accountant is a practitioner of accountancy (UK) or accounting (US), which is the measurement, disclosure or provision of assurance about financial information that helps managers, investors, tax authorities and others make decisions about allocating resources.

The Big Four auditors are the largest employers of accountants worldwide. However, most accountants are employed in commerce and industry.