If you’re wondering, “What is the salary of a Chartered Accountant in India?” the answer is: It starts strong and grows exponentially. Freshers can expect to start at an average of ₹7 LPA and quickly escalate to ₹50 LPA+ for seasoned professionals in leadership roles.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the CA salary in India by experience, role, company, and location to give you the most accurate picture of your potential earnings.
1. The Chartered Accountant Career and Earning Potential
The Hook: A newly qualified CA can secure a starting package averaging ₹8 L – ₹12.5 L per annum (LPA), with top packages touching ₹36 LPA for domestic roles and even higher for international postings. For seasoned professionals, the overall chartered accountant jobs salary in India consistently crosses the ₹40–50 LPA mark in leadership positions.
2. What is the Average Chartered Accountant Salary in India? (The Core Data)
Indian CA Salary Snapshot
| Experience Level | Annual CTC Range (INR) | CA Salary Per Month (Approx.) |
| Fresher (0 years) | ₹7,00,000 – ₹12,50,000 | ₹58,000 – ₹1,04,000 |
| Mid-Level (5–10 years) | ₹14,00,000 – ₹25,00,000 | ₹1,17,000 – ₹2,08,000 |
| Senior (15+ years) | ₹30,00,000 – ₹70,00,000+ | ₹2,50,000 – ₹5,80,000+ |
Global Perspective: While Indian salaries are highly competitive and rapidly growing, experienced CAs working in places like Dubai, US, or UK can earn significantly more (often 2x to 4x of the domestic figures) due to higher Cost of Living Adjustments and stronger currency values, making Indian CAs highly sought after globally.
3. Chartered Accountant Salary for Freshers (Entry-Level Packages)
ICAI Placement: The Benchmark
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Campus Placement Programme sets the national benchmark for fresher packages.
- Highest Domestic Package (Recent ICAI Placement): ₹26.70 LPA (offered by Power Finance Corporation, a PSU). Top packages have previously gone up to ₹29 LPA.
- Average Package (Recent ICAI Placement): ₹12.49 LPA (Consistently rising over the past few years).
What Affects Fresher Pay:
| Factor | Impact on Fresher Salary |
| CA Exam Attempts | First Attempt pass-outs consistently receive higher offers (₹10 LPA – ₹14 LPA is common in top firms). Multiple attempts often result in a starting salary in the lower end of the range (₹7 LPA – ₹9 LPA). |
| Rank-holders | CA Final rank-holders (Top 50) are highly sought after by FMCGs and Investment Banks, often securing packages from ₹15 LPA to over ₹20 LPA. |
| Articling Firm Reputation | Articleship experience from a Big 4 firm (EY, Deloitte, KPMG, PwC) significantly boosts starting pay and future growth compared to mid-sized firms. |
4. CA Salary Growth by Experience Level
Experience vs. Salary Table
| Years of Experience | Annual CTC Range (INR) | Growth Insight |
| 0 – 5 years | ₹7,00,000 – ₹15,00,000 | Focus on learning, specialisation, and moving from an Associate to Assistant Manager. |
| 5 – 10 years | ₹15,00,000 – ₹25,00,000 | Managerial roles begin. Income increases due to team management and specialisation (e.g., GST, M&A). |
| 10 – 20 years | ₹25,00,000 – ₹45,00,000 | Senior Manager/Associate Director level. High strategic responsibility. |
| Above 20 years | ₹45,00,000 – ₹1,00,00,000+ | Leadership roles (CFO, Partner, Finance Head). CFO roles in large MNCs consistently cross the ₹50 LPA to ₹1 Crore+ mark. |
Resources from – Ambition box
5. CA Salary by Job Profile and Designation
Role-Specific Salary Table (Average)
| Job Profile / Designation | Annual CTC Range (INR) | Strategic Value & Pay Driver |
| Account Executive | ₹4,00,000 – ₹7,00,000 | Entry-level, transactional accounting. |
| Senior Executive / Chartered Accountant | ₹8,00,000 – ₹11,00,000 | First managerial steps, team lead. |
| Finance Manager / Controller | ₹18,00,000 – ₹27,00,000+ | Budgeting, financial planning, compliance, high-range compensation. |
| Head of Internal Audit | ₹25,00,000 – ₹43,00,000+ | Risk assessment and corporate governance. |
| Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | ₹40,00,000 – ₹60,00,000 | Strategic and executive leadership, highest packages. |
| Practicing CA (Self-Employed) | Highly Variable (Potential ₹10 LPA – ₹57,00,000) |
Income depends entirely on client base, niche, and reputation. Can be low initially, but limitless at the senior partner level. |
Resources from – Ambition box
6. CA Salary by Company and Sector
6.1. Salary in the Big 4 Firms
- Fresher Package (0 years): Typically ranges from ₹8.5 LPA to ₹12 LPA, depending on the department (Advisory/Deals generally pay more than Audit/Tax).
Senior Manager (6+ years): Packages reliably cross the ₹35 LPA to ₹50 LPA mark.
6.2. Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) & Private Sector/MNCs
| Sector | Average Fresher Package (INR) | Key Advantage |
| MNCs/Private Sector (HUL, RIL, Amazon) | ₹10,00,000 – ₹18,00,000 | Higher pay, fast-paced growth, performance bonuses. |
| Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) (ONGC, RBI, SBI) | ₹8,00,000 – ₹14,00,000 | High job security, better work-life balance, strong retirement benefits. |
6.3. Top Recruiters Offering the Highest Packages
| Top Recruiter | High-End Package Range (INR) | Industry Specialisation |
| Reliance Industries Ltd. | ₹14,00,000 – ₹32,00,000+ | Energy, Telecom, Retail |
| Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (HUL) | ₹18,00,000 – ₹36,00,000+ | FMCG (Known for high fresher pay) |
| ICICI Bank / HDFC Bank | ₹9,60,000 – ₹27,00,000+ | Banking, Financial Services |
| Deloitte / EY / KPMG / PwC | ₹10,00,000 – ₹35,00,000+ | Consulting, Advisory, Audit, Tax |
Resources from –AmbitionBox & Glassdoor
7. Chartered Accountant Salary Boost by Skills
| High-Value Skill | Annual Salary Boost (Approx.) |
| Financial Modelling & Valuation (FMVA) | ₹2,00,000 – ₹4,00,000 |
| IFRS/US GAAP Specialisation | ₹1,50,000 – ₹3,00,000 |
| SAP FICO / ERP Systems Knowledge | ₹1,00,000 – ₹2,50,000 |
| Strategic Accounts / Budget Management | ₹2,50,000 – ₹5,00,000+ (for experienced roles) |
| Certifications (CFA, CPA, ACCA) | Opens doors to international roles and high-paying Investment Banking/Research roles. |
8. Chartered Accountant Salary by City/Location
| City/Location | Average Annual CA Salary Range (INR) | Key Driver |
| Mumbai | ₹10,00,000 – ₹22,00,000+ | Financial Capital, highest number of Investment Banks/FMCG HQs. |
| Delhi NCR (Gurgaon/Noida) | ₹9,50,000 – ₹20,00,000+ | Consulting Hub, MNC regional HQs. |
| Bangalore | ₹10,50,000 – ₹25,00,000+ | Tech/FinTech Hub, high demand for CAs in IT/Startups. |
| Chennai / Hyderabad | ₹8,50,000 – ₹18,00,000+ | Strong presence of GICs (Global In-House Centres) and IT firms. |
| Tier-2 Cities (Pune, Ahmedabad) | ₹8,00,000 – ₹12,00,000+ | Growing local markets, less COLA. |
Resources from –AmbitionBox
9. Key Factors That Decide Your CA Salary
To summarise the path to the highest earning potential in chartered accountant jobs salary in India:
- Attempts & Ranks: Clearing the CA Final in the first attempt gives you a decisive edge in the first job.
- Article-ship Firm: Big 4 or top-tier firm experience provides superior foundational knowledge and a brand name for life.
- Experience & Specialization: Shift from compliance/transactional roles to advisory/strategic roles after 5 years. Niche expertise (Taxation, M&A) is key to the highest chartered accountant jobs salary in India.
- Certifications: Additional qualifications (CFA, CPA, ACCA) significantly boost pay.
- Type of Company & Location: Opt for MNCs, FMCGs, or large Banks in major metropolitan cities for the highest packages.
10. Conclusion
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So Don’t just dream about success, make it happen!
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11. FAQs
The average monthly starting salary for a CA fresher is between ₹65,000 and ₹90,000 (equivalent to ₹7.8 LPA to ₹10.8 LPA), varying based on the city and firm.
Companies like Reliance Industries, HUL (Hindustan Unilever), and top Investment Banks/Consulting firms (like the Big 4’s Deals teams) consistently offer the highest packages, often reaching ₹25 LPA to ₹36 LPA for freshers and significantly higher for experienced hires.
In the first few years, an employed CA earns more. However, a highly successful Practicing CA (Senior Partner of a reputable firm) has no salary cap and can earn significantly more than the top corporate salaries, often crossing ₹1 Crore+ annually.
Absolutely. With the domestic average package for a fresher standing at around ₹12.49 LPA (ICAI placement data) and the long-term potential to earn over ₹70 LPA, the Chartered Accountant profession remains one of the most prestigious, stable, and highest-paying careers in India.
First-attempt pass-outs typically receive offers in the ₹10 LPA to ₹14 LPA range from top firms, placing them well above the average.