What parallel courses can I pursue with CA for better career prospects?

CA has very vast syllabus and I think that you should focus on CA only but if you want to do an additional course with CA you can go with these options: CA with a Bachelors degree like B. com(Honours). CS is also a common choice. CA followed by an MBA is also gaining popularity these days. You can also do LLB along with CA. CMA, CPA, CFA, etc. are few other options that basically depend upon your own areas of interests.

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According to me, it is very much difficult to handle the additional course along with CA simultaneously. But still below are some really job oriented course; 1] B.Com - It's advisable to do a B.Com along with CA, simply because it doesn't take up much time. The college you do it from doesn't matter, and make sure you do a Regular B.Com from a college that doesn't require any attendance or a Distance B.Com from IGNOU. 1. CS - They were earlier a good combination with CA, but time has changed now. It makes almost no difference whether you're a CS or not. Some people I've seen do CS just to get an All India Rank. Which again does matter, but it is not worth the effort you put it. 2. ICWA - Pursuing a ICWAI is better than CS but again it's not recommended to do it along with CA. Doesn't add any value to CA. It can be just a good backup option in case you're not sure of clearing CA. 3. CPA - If a person wants to practice internationally, he can opt for this course. 4. CFA - This is now the most favoured course among CA Folks. Everyone who wants to get into Finance (Investment Banking) profiles is pursuing a CFA. In reality, people clearing CFA have almost no work experience in Finance domain. So, Indian Firms don't value CFA. And most people don't get a decent job through it. And if you apply for jobs in CA Domain like for Auditing or Taxation, a CFA Degree doesn't matter. 5. FRM : It's a niche course for someone who wants to get into Risk Management in Finance. It's just a 6 months course and almost a waste if you don't want to work in Risk Management. 6. Actuaries : It's a niche course to pursue only if you love maths and want to get into insurance domain. It's a good course actually, but then adds no value along with CA. It's a stand alone course in itself and requires a lot of patience & dedication to clear all 15 papers. 7. CAT & MBA: CA + MBA from IIM is a very good combination. If you want to go for higher studies and not get into corporate life or if you are desperate for a Finance role, it's a good option. You can start preparing for CAT after your CA Finals also. Only problem is, investing 2 more years of your life, make sure you do it from the Top 10 B-Schools. 8. UPSC - It doesn't add any value with your CA Degree. In fact it's the mother of all qualifications, so if you're really interested to contribute to the society or want to be part of the Government administration, you can explore this option. 9. LLB 10. ACCA

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What Regulations say? (a) Myth - You can accomplish more than one course alongside CA, the main thing is you can't practice both of them. The truth is - Neither one of the can accomplish more than one extra course with CA nor you would you be able to get a permit from more than one institute. Despite the fact that there are arrangements that you can have two licenses, no one is granted permission nowadays under the same. (b) You can do one more course besides Articleship. *T&C Apply. As per ICAI regulation, you can do one additional course besides CA, which can be any course either degree or professional course. However, this course shouldn't have timings which clash with Articleship timings. The course which has timings between 11 am to 5 pm shall not be granted permission. You have to notify ICAI about your second course in form 112, at the time of registering for articleship. (c) Myth - B.Com cannot be done through Regular college. The truth is - There is no such regulation. As I said above, the T&C is that timings should not clash with Articleship timing and especially between 11 am to 5 pm. There is no regulation that B.Com cannot be done through regular college. So you just need to find a college that has morning timings or do B.Com from IGNOU. I did it through regular college. My College timings were 7 am to 10 am. And office timings were 10 am to infinity. And my college and office were in the same area. That's why neck to neck timings was acceptable, else there should a reasonable timing gap for travelling. Also in Form 112 you have to take signatures of your college principal and office principal and then submit to ICAI. So you can't fool anybody. (d) Myth - You need Principal's permission to do the additional course. The truth is you only need to inform your Office Principal and take his signature confirming that the timings do not clash (in case of regular course). Similar confirmation is required from College Principal about the college timings. (in case of regular course). These signatures are on Form 112, which is then submitted to ICAI. Only permission required is from ICAI. ICAI sends a letter confirming the permission.

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