The main difference is that a Chartered Accountant (CA) is a highly certified and specialized professional who has passed rigorous exams and training, while an accountant may have a degree or diploma but is not necessarily certified at the same professional level. CAs perform complex tasks like auditing, strategic financial planning, and tax consulting, while an accountant's job typically focuses on day-to-day bookkeeping, record-keeping, and basic financial reporting.
Feature
Accountant
Chartered Accountant (CA)
Professional Qualification
May have a degree or diploma but does not require stringent certification.
Must complete a rigorous educational and training program and pass professional exams to get certified by a governing body.
Scope of Work
Basic financial tasks like bookkeeping, preparing financial reports, and tax returns.
Specialized and complex tasks like auditing, financial statement assurance, corporate finance, and strategic financial advice.
Regulatory Oversight
May not be subject to the same level of strict regulatory oversight.
Adheres to strict ethical standards and regulatory requirements set by governing bodies.
Typical Employer
Small businesses, private corporations, and local firms.
Multinational corporations, public accounting firms, and financial consulting firms.
Career Progression
Can remain in operational finance roles or may require further certifications for senior roles.
Can progress to senior management roles such as CFO or partner.