How to become a CWA

After passing Class XII, complete ICWAI coaching and enrol for the institute's foundation course.

However, graduates in engineering and other disciplines, postgraduates as well as gazetted officers are exempted from the foundation course and they can straightway register for the next level — the intermediate course, which takes at least 18 months to complete.

Students need to then do the 18-month final course.

The final course includes computer training (100 hours), and audit / industrial training (three years).

Exams are held in June and December at centres in India, Dubai, Oman and Botswana. Under an agreement with ICWAI, Indira Gandhi National Open University offers specialised B.Com (financial and cost accounting) and MCom (management accounting and financial strategies) programmes for ICWAI students.

Students can simultaneously pursue the BCom programme with ICWAI’s foundation/ intermediate course and MCom with the final course. Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), London, recognises the CWA qualification and exempts students from 12 of its 16 papers. Australia and Canada, too, recognise the credential.

ICWAI also offers a one-year certificate in accounting technicians, particularly targeted at village youth. Those completing the CAT can upgrade to the CWA qualification.