Industrial Training in the Chartered Accountancy course is a practical training program that provides students with hands-on experience and exposure to the functioning of finance departments in industrial settings. It aims to develop problem-solving skills and prepare future chartered accountants for their professional careers.
What is CA Industrial Training?
CA Industrial Training is a part of the Chartered Accountancy curriculum designed to give CA students practical experience in real-world corporate settings. Typically undertaken in the final year of their mandatory articleship, this training ranges from 9 to 12 months and is conducted in fields like financial management, auditing, and regulatory compliance. It allows students to apply their academic knowledge in professional environments, enhancing their understanding and skills before they qualify as chartered accountants.
Eligibility Criteria for CA Industrial Training
To be eligible for industrial training, candidates must fulfill certain criteria, as outlined below:
1. CA Intermediate/IPCC Examination: According to the Chartered Accountants (Amendment) Regulations, 2023, candidates who have passed both groups of the CA intermediate or IPCC examination are eligible to serve as industrial trainees. Industrial training can be pursued in financial, commercial, or industrial undertakings specified by the ICAI.
2. Completion of Practical Training: Under the new scheme, you become eligible for Industrial Training after 12 months of articleship in a CA Firm. However, under the old scheme, you get eligible if you have completed 18 months of Articleship.
3. Intimation to Principal: It is mandatory for candidates to inform their principal at least three months prior to the commencement of the ICAI training.
Procedure for Industrial Training
The procedure for Industrial Training involves registering with the ICAI through Form No. 104 on their Self-Service Portal.
To fill out Form No. 104 for Industrial Training, follow these steps:
1. Access the ICAI Self-Service Portal (SSP) and log in using your User ID and Password.
2. Navigate to the "Articleship Cycle" section.
3. Click on the "Articleship/Auditship" tab on the left side of the portal.
4. Select the "Industrial Training (Form No. 104)" option from the articles menu.
5. Provide all the necessary details in the form and click on the "Submit" button.
After submitting the form, it will be sent to the Principal (under whom the industrial training will be conducted) for approval. Once the application is approved, go to the "Submitted/Pending Actions" tab in the articleship cycle section of the SSP Portal. Download the PDF of the form, get it signed by the Principal, and upload the scanned copy along with the deed to complete the registration process.
Duration of training: The duration of industrial training can vary between nine to twelve months, and it typically takes place during the last year of the prescribed practical training period.
Industrial Training Stipend
The normal stipend amount varies by industry and by company. Nonetheless, it is typical for businesses to provide their Industrial Trainees with a generous monthly stipend of between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 50,000.
Supervision during industrial training:
Industrial training is received by a member of the institute working for the company where the candidate registers as an industrial trainee. As per ICAI guidelines, an associate who has been a member for at least three continuous years can train one industrial trainee, while a fellow can train two industrial trainees, whether they are articled clerks or audit clerks.
Completion Certificate:
Upon successful completion of the industrial training, the member under whom the training was received will issue a Certificate of Service in Form No. 105.
Exam Leaves:
Each company may have different policies regarding exam leaves for industrial trainees during CA final exams. However, companies can allow a study leave of 2 to 3 months or may not.
Enhancing selection chances:
To increase their chances of being selected for industrial training, candidates should have a strong understanding of the subject they wish to pursue during training. For example, if someone aims for Industrial Training in finance, focusing on subjects like Financial Management and Risk Management can be beneficial.
Which industries can a CA article do industrial training in?
CA articles can undertake industrial training in industries like financial services, IT, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, telecommunications, energy, real estate, media, and the public sector. This variety allows them to gain diverse experiences aligned with their career aspirations. Interested CA students can access the list through the provided link
The list includes companies like Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Citi Bank, HDFC, Kotak, and others that offer industrial training opportunities to CA students. These companies have been recognized by the ICAI to provide valuable training experiences to aspiring chartered accountants.
General Interview Questions of CA Industrial Training
1. Tell me About yourself.
The question is usually asked when the interviewer hasn’t had the chance to scan through your resume. It’s mostly open-ended and your focus while answering it should be on highlighting the positive aspects of your professional life, such as your productive hobbies, your areas of interest, and a subtle hint at your past achievements and work experience.
A good way to make an impression is to present your own opinions on certain things about your career and why you are pursuing what you are doing right now.
The answer shouldn’t stretch more than a minute.
Here’s a sample answer.
“I come from [city] and have settled here now for my professional obligations. I pursued the CA program after my 12th which I completed from [school_name].
I did my articleship from [firm_name], where I was responsible for [work_responsibilities]. I have worked in statutory audits, internal audits, and tax audits and have covered the various aspects and operations right from Vouching to Finalization.
As a highly driven individual, I often strive to take up opportunities that challenge me both physically and mentally.
As a result, I have also received great exposure to various clients across multiple industries.”
2. How do you think will you be able to add value to this organization?
Give examples from your previous job about your work ethic, your achievements, the clients you worked with, etc.
If you are pursuing any certifications or additional qualifications that relate to your role in the company, be sure to mention them as much as you can.
3. What are your strengths?
Always supplement the strengths you mention with real-life examples.
So for example, if you state time management as your strength, you’d follow it up with, “I tend to set personal deadlines for all my projects and I have been able to commit to ALL of them”
Some basic strengths that you could mention are:
- Team-management
- Analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- Fast-learner
- Multi-tasking (not-recommended)
- Empathetic (if you can provide a good example for it, this could be a great one)
4. What are your weaknesses?
Don’t ever try the typical approach such as, “I work too hard”, or, “I am too analytical”. This is one question that you can honestly answer albeit with some tact.
A potential answer to this can be,
“I often tend to self-criticize myself a lot. It’s something that stems from my childhood. But I am currently pursuing therapy for it and I am making a lot of progress in overcoming it”
5. What are some pros and cons of working in a team according to you?
Draw out logical pros and cons for the same but assume the stance that you can excel with or without a team.
An answer like this could work,
“Well, the obvious pros are that you get to share and amplify ideas, get feedback on your drawbacks, and get work done fast. The obvious cons are that there can arise a situation of ‘too many cooks'. Tasks are often delayed if a team is not properly organized or if team members are not answerable to each other.
In the past, I have got to work both as a team member and as an individual, and although my most productive work is when I am working alone.
Things tend to happen a lot more quickly when I am in a team.”
6. When comparing one company's offer to another, what factors will be important to you besides starting salary?
Being genuine yet diplomatic is the way to go here,
"The most important aspect for me will always be personal growth and a sustainable learning curve.
That being said, an equally important aspect is the work environment.
I think a company’s work culture and the opportunities it can provide to me are far greater reasons for me to choose it than the monetary compensation it can offer."
7. What prior work experience you have had?
That’s pretty much a no-brainer except for the fact that if you don’t have a lot of work experience, then it's best to mention your certifications or any other upskilling programs that you pursued.
Your priority here is to explain what you have done with the time that was supposed to be your work experience years.
If you do have work experience, try to mention all your responsibilities and achievements during your work.
8. Tell me about a difficult situation you faced in your previous company and how you solved it?
You can describe a specific situation from your articleship or internships or about a specific client.
Choose a situation that was not overly complicated and that you were able to solve rather flawlessly.
9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Please for the love of god, do not say, “In your seat”. That’s an instant thumbs-down.
Approach this question with a focus on skills and work domains.
Start by stating your aspirations about your career and the skills that you want to learn in the future,
If you do have managerial ambitions, then convey it to them in subtle words like,
"I see myself leading a team in the future and leading the auditing of a high-level client.”
10. List any 3 personal negative traits that you have, and what you are doing to improve them
You can afford to be honest here as long as you are not mentioning any negative traits that might directly impact your job profile.
For example,
“I don’t think I could count that many negative traits, but yes, one negative trait about me that instantly comes to mind is my inability to handle criticism from others. I often end up becoming too upset even over slight criticism, but it is something that I have been trying to cure with self-help books.”
11. Why do you want to do Industrial Training?
I'm interested in industrial training beyond the traditional CA firm setting to broaden my exposure to various industries like IT and marketing. This experience would enrich my understanding of different business environments, enhance my adaptability, and deepen my financial expertise across diverse sectors. Such training offers a comprehensive view of strategic challenges, extends my professional network, and opens doors to innovative career opportunities, making me a more versatile and impactful finance professional.
12. What do you learn from industrial training?
Industrial training offers a practical application of theoretical knowledge, exposing you to unique financial practices across various industries like IT and marketing. This experience enhances your technical skills in accounting, risk management, and compliance while developing essential soft skills such as communication and teamwork. It broadens your understanding of different organizational cultures and strategic business management, making it a crucial step for well-rounded professional development in the financial sector.
Choosing the right industry for your profile can influence your interview success. Explore various industries and access tailored interview questions for each by following this link, which provides resources to help you prepare effectively.
Conclusion:
CA Industrial Training is more than just a requirement—it's a stepping stone to a successful career in finance, auditing, taxation, and corporate accounting. By gaining real-world exposure in industries like investment banking, IT, manufacturing, and financial services, you not only enhance your technical expertise but also develop essential problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills. Companies like Goldman Sachs, HDFC, Deloitte, and PwC offer structured industrial training programs that can give you a competitive edge in the job market.
To maximize your CA Industrial Training experience, focus on upskilling in financial tools (SAP, Power BI), understanding taxation laws (GST, corporate tax), and preparing for interviews with the right strategy. Whether you aim for Big 4 firms, MNCs, or startups, your dedication, adaptability, and willingness to learn will set you apart. This training is your gateway to high-paying CA roles, leadership positions, and long-term career success—embrace it with confidence and make the most of this opportunity!
Also Read
CA Intermediate Exam Dates 2025
CA Intermediate Admit Card 2025
CA Intermediate Exam Form 2025
CA Intermediate Registration 2025
CA Intermediate Exam Pattern 2025
CA Intermediate Exam Centres 2025
CA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria 2025
FAQs
CA Industrial Training is a practical training program under the ICAI curriculum, designed to give real-world corporate exposure to CA students in their final year of articleship. It allows students to work in finance, taxation, audit, and compliance roles in industries like banking, IT, FMCG, and investment banking.
This training enhances problem-solving skills, financial expertise, and business acumen, making students industry-ready before CA final exams. Many companies, including Goldman Sachs, HSBC, HDFC, and Big 4 firms, offer CA Industrial Training with a stipend ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹50,000 per month.
It provides a competitive edge in corporate finance roles, and top-performing trainees may receive pre-placement offers (PPOs). This experience significantly improves career prospects compared to regular articleship at CA firms.
To qualify for CA Industrial Training, candidates must meet the following ICAI requirements:
- CA Intermediate/IPCC Exam Cleared – Must have passed both groups of CA Intermediate/IPCC.
- Articleship Completion – Eligible after 12 months (new scheme) or 18 months (old scheme) of articleship.
- Prior Intimation to Principal – Must inform the articleship principal at least 3 months before starting industrial training.
- Registration via ICAI Portal – Apply using Form 104 on the ICAI Self-Service Portal (SSP).
Many top companies offer CA Industrial Training in finance, auditing, investment banking, and risk management, providing students with hands-on exposure to corporate environments.
The CA Industrial Training registration process involves:
- Finding an Opportunity – Explore ICAI job postings, LinkedIn, and company websites for CA Industrial Training vacancies.
- Notifying Your Principal – Inform your CA articleship principal 3 months before leaving.
- Filling Form 104 – Log in to ICAI Self-Service Portal (SSP) and submit Form 104 for Industrial Training.
- Approval & Document Upload – Get Form 104 signed by your industrial training supervisor and upload it with necessary documents.
- Training Duration – CA Industrial Training lasts 9 to 12 months and takes place in the last year of articleship.
Once registered, trainees get exposure to financial reporting, risk assessment, and compliance in corporate settings, making them more employable after qualifying as CAs.
The stipend for CA Industrial Training varies by industry, company, and role. Here’s an approximate range:
- Investment Banking & Big 4 Firms – ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 per month (e.g., Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, PwC).
- MNCs & Large Corporates – ₹20,000 to ₹40,000 per month (e.g., Unilever, HDFC, Tata, Infosys).
- Mid-Sized Companies & Startups – ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month.
While Big 4 firms offer higher stipends, MNCs and corporates provide strong career growth in finance, compliance, and audit roles. Some companies also provide PPOs (Pre-Placement Offers) based on performance.
Interviewers assess technical knowledge, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities. Here are common CA Industrial Training interview questions:
- "Tell me about yourself." – Keep it professional, focusing on articleship experience, technical skills, and career goals.
- "How can you add value to this organization?" – Highlight expertise in financial reporting, taxation, and risk management.
- "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" – Use real-life examples to showcase problem-solving abilities.
- "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" – Express aspirations for corporate finance, audit, or consulting roles.
- "Why do you want to do Industrial Training?" – Emphasize exposure to real-world financial processes, compliance, and strategic decision-making.
Practicing these industry-specific interview questions will improve selection chances in top firms.
