The CA Foundation examination, earlier known as the CPT exam, is a significant opportunity for students aspiring to pursue a career in Chartered Accountancy. Hence, candidates preparing for this exam in November/December of this year must go through the exam syllabus and pattern to ace the examination. The CA Foundation Syllabus 2024 is prescribed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants on its official website @icai.org. The syllabus includes topics related to taxation, auditing, and business law. Candidates must check the syllabus to be aware of any changes in it. Aspirants can view the complete CA Foundation Syllabus 2024 in the following article.
CA Foundation Syllabus 2024
CA Foundation is an entry-level exam that tests the proficiency of a candidate in accounting, business, mathematics, law, economics, and other related subjects. Therefore, understanding the CA Foundation Syllabus 2024 and exam pattern is crucial for candidates to know about all the subjects and topics for the exam. All India Institute of Chartered Accountants conducts this exam twice a year, in May/June and November/December. Only the candidates who pass the CA Foundation exam will qualify for the next stage. With the help of the syllabus of the CA Foundation 2024 exam, aspirants can prepare to take the exam successfully.
CA Foundation Syllabus 2024 Highlights |
Exam Name |
CA Foundation (CPT) |
Conducted By |
Institute Of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) |
Exam Mode |
Official |
Exam Frequency |
Twice a year: May/June or November/December |
Exam Level |
National Level |
No. of Papers |
4 |
Paper Names |
- Paper 1: Principles and Practice of Accounting
- Paper 2: Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting
- Paper 3: Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning and Statistics
- Paper 4: Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge
|
Exam Duration |
- Paper 1 and Paper 2: 3 hours
- Paper 3 and Paper 4: 2 hours
|
Maximum Marks for Each Paper |
100 |
Total Marks for All Papers |
400 |
Negative Marking |
- Not Applicable in Papers 1 and 2 (descriptive questions).
- In Paper 3 and 4, ¼ mark deducted for every wrong answer (multiple-choice questions)
|
Exam Medium |
English and Hindi except for Section B of Paper 2 |
CA Foundation Syllabus 2024 Overview
According to the latest CA Foundation Syllabus 2024 and exam format, candidates need to focus on four papers while preparing for the exam. Each paper will carry 100 marks. Candidates can check the detailed CA Foundation Syllabus, here:
Sl. No |
Paper Name |
Marks |
Type of Questions |
Paper 1 |
Accounting |
100 Marks |
Objective |
Paper 2 |
Business Laws |
100 Marks |
Objective |
Paper 3 |
Quantitative Aptitude: |
100 Marks |
Subjective |
|
Part A: Business Mathematics |
Part A: 40 Marks |
|
|
Part B: Logical Reasoning |
Part B: 20 Marks |
|
|
Part C: Statistics |
Part C: 40 Marks |
|
Paper 4 |
Business Economics |
100 Marks |
Subjective |
CA Foundation Paper-Wise Syllabus 2024
There are a total of 4 papers for the CA Foundation exam. To clear all the papers, candidates need to thoroughly revise the syllabus. The paper-wise CA Foundation Syllabus 2024 is given below for the candidates.
Paper 1: Accounting
The main aim of Paper 1 is to help candidates learn fundamental accounting concepts and principles to solve basic accounting problems and make financial statements.
Topics |
Sub-Topics |
Theoretical Framework |
Meaning and Scope of Accounting. |
|
Accounting concepts, principles, and conventions. |
|
Capital and revenue expenditure, capital and revenue receipts, contingent assets, and contingent liabilities. |
|
Accounting Policies. |
|
Accounting as a measurement discipline – valuation principles, accounting estimates. |
|
Accounting Standards – concepts and objectives. |
Accounting Process |
– Recording accounting transactions: principles of double entry book-keeping, books of original entry (journal, subsidiary books, cash book). |
|
Ledger format, posting from journals and subsidiary books, balancing accounts. |
|
Preparation of Trial Balance. |
|
– Rectification of Errors. |
Bank Reconciliation Statement |
Introduction, reasons, and preparation of bank reconciliation statement. |
Inventories |
Meaning, basis, and technique of inventory valuation, cost of inventory, net realizable value, and record system. |
Depreciation and Amortisation |
Tangible and intangible assets: meaning & difference, concepts, methods of computation, and accounting treatment. |
|
Change in depreciation method. |
Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes |
Meaning of bills of exchange and promissory notes and their accounting treatment; accommodation bills. |
Preparation of Final Accounts of Sole Proprietors |
Elements of financial statements, closing adjustment entries, trading accounts, profit and loss accounts, and balance sheets of manufacturing and non-manufacturing entities. |
Financial Statements of Not-for-Profit Organizations |
Significance and preparation of receipt and payment account, income and expenditure account, and balance sheet. |
|
Difference between profit and loss account, and income and expenditure account. |
Accounts from Incomplete Records |
Excluding preparation of accounts based on ratios. |
Partnership and LLP Accounts |
Final accounts of partnership firms and LLP. |
|
Admission, retirement, and death of a partner including treatment of goodwill. |
|
Dissolution of partnership firms and LLPs including piecemeal distribution of assets. |
Company Accounts |
Definition of shares and debentures. |
|
Issue of shares and debentures, forfeiture of shares, reissue of forfeited shares. |
|
Redemption of preference shares and debentures (excluding purchase and redemption of own debentures sinking fund method). |
|
Accounting for bonus issues and right issues. |
Paper 2: Business Law
Business Law is the 2nd paper for the CA Foundation exam. In this examination, the understanding of candidates relating to specific business laws and their ability to handle issues related to these laws.
Topics |
Sub-Topics |
Indian Regulatory Framework |
Major Regulatory Bodies: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, SEBI, RBI, IBBI, Ministry of Law and Justice, etc. |
The Indian Contract Act, 1872 |
General Nature of Contract |
|
Consideration |
|
Other Essential Elements of a Valid Contract |
|
Performance of Contract |
|
Breach of Contract |
|
Contingent and Quasi Contract |
|
Contract of Indemnity and Guarantee |
|
Contract of Bailment and Pledge |
|
Contract of Agency |
The Sale of Goods Act, 1930 |
Formation of the Contract of Sale |
|
Conditions and Warranties |
|
Transfer of Ownership and Delivery of Goods |
|
Unpaid Seller and His Rights |
The Indian Partnership Act, 1932 |
General Nature of Partnership |
|
Rights and Duties of Partners |
|
Reconstitution of Firms |
|
Registration and Dissolution of a Firm |
The Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 |
Introduction: Nature and Scope |
|
Essential Features |
|
Characteristics of LLP |
|
Incorporation |
|
Differences with Other Forms of Organizations |
The Companies Act, 2013 |
Essential Features of a Company |
|
Corporate Veil Theory |
|
Classes of Companies |
|
Types of Share Capital |
|
Incorporation of a Company |
|
Memorandum of Association |
|
Articles of Association |
|
Doctrine of Indoor Management |
The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 |
Meaning of Negotiable Instruments |
|
Characteristics |
|
Classification of Instruments |
|
Different Provisions Relating to Negotiation |
|
Presentment of Instruments |
|
Rules of Compensation |
The statistics section of the CA Foundation carries 40 marks. The following table contains the topics covered in this part:
Paper 4: Business Economics
Business Economics paper for the CA Foundation exam is conducted with the objective of understanding the key theories and concepts of Business Economics and how to apply them practically.
The CA Foundation course, which is the entry-level exam for the Chartered Accountancy course in India, typically covers four main subjects. As of 2024, the subjects are listed below. These subjects aim to provide foundational knowledge and skills necessary for aspiring Chartered Accountants. The CA Foundation course serves as a preparatory stage for the more advanced levels of the Chartered Accountancy program.
Principles and Practice of Accounting:
- This paper covers basic concepts and principles of accounting.
- Topics include the preparation of financial statements, partnership accounts, and company accounts.
Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting:
Section A: Business Laws:
- Topics include the Indian Contract Act, the Sale of Goods Act, the Indian Partnership Act, and the Companies Act.
Section B: Business Correspondence and Reporting:
- This section focuses on developing writing skills and comprehension abilities in a business context, including formal letters, reports, and communication skills.
Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and Statistics:
Section A: Business Mathematics:
- Covers topics like ratios, proportions, indices, logarithms, and sets.
Section B: Logical Reasoning:
- Includes problems on seating arrangements, logical sequences, syllogisms, and puzzles.
Section C: Statistics:
- Involves measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability, and index numbers.
Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge:
Section A: Business Economics:
- Focuses on basic concepts of microeconomics and macroeconomics, including the theory of demand and supply, production and cost, price determination, and national income.
Section B: Business and Commercial Knowledge:
- Covers the basics of business and commercial knowledge, including an understanding of business environments and organizations.
CA Foundation Syllabus 2024 Preparation Tips
Clearing the CA Foundation exam is not an easy task. Candidates need to prepare really hard to qualify for the exam. Some of the tips that can help candidates prepare more effectively for the exam are:
- Go through the complete CA Foundation Syllabus 2024 and exam pattern.
- Plan an efficient and smart preparation strategy and set realistic goals.
- Start preparing for the exam as soon as possible and cover all the subjects,
- Make short notes for quick revision and practice regularly.