--- title: "What is the difference between Chartered Accountant & Company Secretary?" description: "What is the difference between Chartered Accountant & Company Secretary?" author: "Lily Chitlangiya" published: 2021-10-16 updated: 2021-10-16 canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/93999/what-is-the-difference-between-chartered-accountant-company-secretary category: "career and education" tags: ["career, cources and education"] reading_time: 3 minutes --- # What is the difference between Chartered Accountant & Company Secretary? [Difference](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/398/difference-between-object-type-and-var-type) between Chartered Accountant &[amp](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/156207/what-is-amp); Company Secretary. ## Answers ### Answer by Subhamay Ganai If you're looking to pursue a career in finance or accounting, you may be wondering what the difference is between a [**Chartered Accountant (CA) and a Company Secretary (CS)**](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/93999/what-is-the-difference-between-chartered-accountant-company-secretary). Both roles are critical in financial management, but there are some key differences between the two. A **Chartered Accountant** is a professional who provides financial services, including auditing, taxation, and financial advisory. They are often employed by accounting firms, but can also work independently .Chartered Accountancy is a course offered by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The course is of 3 years duration which can be completed by appearing for the CA exams conducted by ICAI. The course is divided into 2 parts – the first part is the foundation course which is of 8 months duration and the second part is the professional course which is of 2 years duration. A **Company Secretary** is responsible for the administration and management of a company's affairs. They are responsible for ensuring that the company complies with all relevant laws and regulations, and that its financial records are accurate and up-to-date. Company Secretary is a course offered by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). The course is of 3 years duration which can be completed by appearing for the CS exams conducted by ICSI. The course is divided into 2 parts – the first part is the foundation course which is of 8 months duration and the second part is the professional course which is of 2 years duration. ![What is the difference between Chartered Accountant & Company Secretary?](https://answers.mindstick.com/questionanswer/5f55dc05-0599-46a8-846d-445dc9c16eb1/images/2547ca65-a62b-4ff2-a237-120ddc4be9e7.png) #### So, what's the difference between a Chartered Accountant and a Company Secretary? - A Chartered Accountant is responsible for financial reporting, taxation, auditing and financial management. They may also provide advice on financial planning and investment. A Company Secretary is responsible for company law, corporate governance and compliance. They may also be involved in HR, [**marketing**](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/331097/what-you-should-expect-in-digital-marketing-for-2023) and [**finance**](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/323579/artificial-intelligence-in-finance-and-accounting). - CA is a 3 years course which can be completed by appearing for the CA exams while CS is a 3 years course which can be completed by appearing for the CS exams. - Another key difference is qualifications. To become a Chartered Accountant, you'll need to complete a professional accounting qualification, such as the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) or the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). There is no specific qualification required to become a Company Secretary, but most have a degree in business or law. - Another difference between the two roles is the focus of their work. [**Chartered Accountants**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chartered_accountant) are focused on financial reporting and management, while Company Secretaries are focused on corporate governance and compliance. Both roles are essential to the running of a successful business. If you're interested in a career in either profession, it's important to research the role and understand the key differences. --- Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/93999/what-is-the-difference-between-chartered-accountant-company-secretary Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. This Markdown version is provided for developers, AI systems, and offline reading.