Exams   »   CA Foundation Syllabus 2024

CA Foundation Syllabus 2024, New Scheme Syllabus and Subjects PDF

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

Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude

In this section, candidates understand the fundamental concepts of mathematics and statistics and their relation to Business, Finance, and economics. It also focuses on improving the logical reasoning abilities of candidates. There are a total of 3 parts in this paper.

Part A- Business Mathematics

Candidates can check the topics covered in the business mathematics section, here.

Topics Sub-Topics
Part A: Business Mathematics
Ratio and Proportion, Indices and Logarithms – Ratio and proportion and Time and work-related problems
– Laws of Indices
– Exponents and Logarithms
– Anti-Logarithms
Equations – Linear Equations up to Three Variables
– Quadratic and Cubic Equations in One Variable
– Applications in Business Related Problems
Linear Inequalities – Linear Inequalities in One and Two Variables
– The Solution Space
Mathematics of Finance – Simple Interest
– Compound Interest
– Nominal and Effective Rate of Interest
– Present Value
– Net Present Value
– Future Value
– Perpetuity
– Annuities
– Sinking Funds
– Calculating EMI
– Calculations of Returns: Nominal and Effective Rate of Return
– Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)
Permutations and Combinations – Basic Concepts of Permutations and Combinations
– Introduction, The Factorial
– Permutations, Results, Circular Permutations
– Permutations with Restrictions
– Combinations with Standard Results
Sequence and Series – Introduction to Sequences and Series
– Arithmetic and Geometric Progression
– Relationship between Arithmetic Mean (AM) and Geometric Mean (GM)
– Sum of Terms of Special Series and Business Applications
Sets, Relations, and Functions – Basics of Limits and Continuity
Basic Applications of Differential and Integral Calculus – Basic Applications in Business and Economics (Excluding Trigonometric Applications)

Part B: Logical Reasoning

This part carries 20 marks. The topics that are in this part of the competitive exam are listed below:

  • Number Series
  • Coding and Decoding, and Odd Man Out
  • Direction Tests
  • Seating Arrangements
  • Blood Relations

Part C- Statistics

The statistics section of the CA Foundation carries 40 marks. The following table contains the topics covered in this part:

Topics Sub-Topics
Statistical Representation of Data – Diagrammatic Representation of Data
– Frequency Distribution
– Graphical Representation of Frequency Distribution: Histogram, Frequency Polygon, Ogive, Pie-chart
Sampling – Basic Principles of Sampling Theory
– Comparison between Sample Survey and Complete Enumeration
– Important Terms Associated with Sampling
– Types of Sampling
– Sampling and Non-Sampling Errors
Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion – Mean
– Median
– Mode
– Mean Deviation
– Quartiles and Quartile Deviation
– Standard Deviation
– Coefficient of Variation
– Coefficient of Quartile Deviation
Probability – Independent and Dependent Events
– Mutually Exclusive Events
– Total and Compound Probability
– Bayes Theorem
Theoretical Distributions – Random Variables
– Discrete and Continuous Random Variables
– Expectation of a Discrete Random Variable
– Theoretical Distributions: Binomial Distribution, Poisson Distribution (Basic Application), Normal Distribution (Basic Applications)
Correlation and Regression – Scatter Diagram
– Karl Pearson’s Coefficient of Correlation
– Rank Correlation
– Regression Lines
– Regression Equations
– Regression Coefficients
Index Numbers – Uses of Index Numbers
– Problems Involved in the Construction of Index Numbers
– Methods of Construction of Index Numbers
– BSE SENSEX, NSE

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.

Topics Sub-Topics
Introduction to Business Economics – Meaning and Scope of Business Economics
– Basic Problems of an Economy and the Role of Price Mechanism
Theory of Demand and Supply – Meaning and Determinants of Demand
– Law of Demand and Elasticity of Demand – Price, Income, and Cross Elasticity
– Theory of Consumer’s Behaviour – Indifference Curve Approach
– Meaning and Determinants of Supply
– Law of Supply and Elasticity of Supply
– Market Equilibrium and Social Efficiency
Theory of Production and Cost – Meaning and Factors of Production
– Short Run and Long Run
– Law of Production – The Law of Variable Proportions and Laws of Returns to Scale
– Producer’s Equilibrium
– Concepts of Costs – Short-Run and Long-Run Costs, Average and Marginal Costs, Total, Fixed, and Variable Costs
Price Determination in Different Markets – Market Structures: Perfect Competition, Monopoly, and Monopolistic Competition
– Using Game Theory to Study Oligopoly
– Price Determination in these Markets
– Price-Output Determination under Different Market Forms
Determination of National Income – Macro Economic Aggregates and Measurement of National Income
– Determination of National Income: Keynes’ Two Sector Basic Model, Three Sectors, and Four Sectors Models
Business Cycles – Meaning, Phases, Features, and Causes behind these Cycles
Public Finance – Fiscal Functions: An Overview, Centre, and State Finance
– Market Failure and Government Intervention to Correct Market Failure
– Process of Budget Making: Sources of Revenue, Expenditure Management, and Management of Public Debt
– Fiscal Policy
Money Market – Concept of Money Demand
– Important Theories of Demand for Money
– Concept of Money Supply
– Cryptocurrency and Other New Terminologies
– Monetary Policy
International Trade – Theories of International Trade including Theories of Intra-Industry Trade (Krugman)
– Trade Policy – The Instruments of Trade Policy
– Trade Negotiations
– Exchange Rates and Its Economic Effects
– International Capital Movements: Foreign Direct Investment
Indian Economy – Before 1950 – Chanakya and Nand Vansh
– OECD Paper (1950-1991)
– Basic Knowledge 1991 Onwards

CA Foundation New Syllabus 2024 PDF Free Download

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has posted the CA Foundation New Syllabus 2024 PDF on its official website, icai.org, as part of the new educational and training system. Candidates planning to take the test must be aware of the new additions and modifications to the CA Foundation 2024 syllabus. Download the CA Foundation new syllabus 2024 pdf via the direct link provided below.

CA Foundation Subjects 2024

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.

FAQs

How many papers are there in the CA Foundation Exam?

The CA Foundation Exam 2024 includes a total of 4 papers namely, Accounting, Business Law, Quantitative Aptitude, and Business Economics. Each paper is conducted for 100 marks.

What are the CA Foundation Passing Marks based on it's 2024 syllabus?

Candidates need to score a minimum of 40% marks in each subject and aggregate of 50% marks in each subject to clear the CA Foundation exam 2024.

How many times does the ICAI conducts CA Foundation Exam in a year?

The CA Foundation Exam is conducted 2 times in a year by the Institute of Chartered Accountant of India. May/June and November/December are the two months in which ICAI schedules the exam of CA Foundation.

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