The Chartered Accountant (CA) profession remains one of India’s most prestigious and rewarding careers in 2026, with strong demand driven by economic growth, regulatory changes, and global opportunities. Freshly qualified CAs command competitive packages, especially through ICAI campus placements and Big 4 firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG), where average fresher salaries range from INR 8-14 LPA, often higher for rank holders or specialised roles.
As experience grows, earnings scale rapidly, mid-level CAs earn INR 12-25 LPA, while senior professionals and partners reach INR 30-75 LPA or more in MNCs, consulting, or independent practice. This guide covers updated 2026 data on average packages, highest offers, city-wise variations, Big 4 trends, and future salary projections to help aspiring CAs plan their financial future effectively.
The chartered accountant (CA) salaries in India continue to reflect strong demand amid economic expansion, stricter compliance norms, and digital transformation in finance.
Chartered Accountant Fresher Salary
Freshly qualified CAs benefit from ICAI campus placements, where average packages hover around INR 12-13 LPA, with Big 4 firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) offering competitive starting salaries of INR 9-14 LPA for freshers—higher for rank holders or advisory roles.
Salaries vary by experience, location (metros pay a 20-30% premium), employer type (Big 4 vs MNCs vs smaller firms), and performance.
Mid-level CAs (4-7 years) earn INR 15-25 LPA, while seniors/partners exceed INR 30-75 LPA or more in top firms or independent practice.
Below is a detailed breakdown based on recent ICAI placement trends, industry reports, and market data as of February 2026.
What is the Salary of a Chartered Accountant in India?
Category
Details / Experience Level
Average Salary (INR LPA)
Highest Reported (INR LPA)
Key Notes / Sources (2026 Trends)
Freshers (0-1 Year)
General, fresh, qualified CAs
8-12
15-18 (rank holders/first attempt)
Non-campus often lower (6-8 LPA); skills in tax/audit boost offers
ICAI Campus Placement Average
Across recent drives (e.g., 62nd/63rd)
12-13
26-36 (outliers like Diageo/PFC)
Steady rise; ~20-26% placement rate; international postings higher
Big 4 Firms (Freshers)
Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG (Audit/Tax/Deals)
9-14
18+ (advisory/specialized roles)
Structured growth; higher in Deals/Consulting vs traditional audit
MNCs/Industry (Freshers)
Reliance, Aditya Birla, Goldman Sachs, etc.
10-20
25+ for top performers
FP&A, finance roles often premium over Big 4 entry
Mid-Level (4-7 Years)
Experienced in firms/MNCs
15-25
30-40
Rapid growth with promotions; Big 4 seniors higher
Senior/Partner Level
10+ years, leadership roles
30-75+
1 Cr+ (CFO/partners/international)
Independent practice or MNC heads; international postings up to 76 LPA
City-Wise Average (Freshers/Mid)
Mumbai/Delhi NCR/Bengaluru/Gurugram
10-16 (metros)
Higher in financial hubs
20-30% premium in metros vs Tier-2 cities
Lowest Starting Packages
Smaller firms/regional practices
4-7
N/A
Entry-level in non-metro or small CA firms
Chartered Accountant Salary in India Per Month
CA Salary in India Top Companies
Top companies for Chartered Accountants (CAs) in India include the Big 4 (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG), leading MNCs, conglomerates, and financial institutions, offering premium packages through ICAI campus placements and direct hires. Freshers often secure roles in audit, tax, advisory, finance, FP&A, and compliance, with Big 4 providing structured training and growth, while MNCs like Reliance, Goldman Sachs, and Aditya Birla offer higher starting pay in industry roles.
Salaries are influenced by performance, CA Final attempts/ranks, location (metros premium), and specialization (advisory/deals pay more). Recent ICAI placement trends show averages around INR 12-13 LPA, with outliers up to INR 26-36 LPA in top offers (e.g., PFC, Diageo). Big 4 freshers typically start at INR 9-14 LPA, while industry/MNCs can reach INR 12-20+ LPA for strong profiles.
Company/Firm
Type
Fresher Salary Range (INR LPA)
Average Fresher Package (INR LPA)
Highest Reported (Freshers/Rank Holders)
Deloitte
Big 4
9-14
11-12
Up to 18+ (advisory/deals)
PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
Big 4
8.5-13
10-12
Up to 15-18
EY (Ernst & Young)
Big 4
9-13
10-12
Up to 15+
KPMG
Big 4
8.5-12
10-11.5
Up to 14-16
Reliance Industries
Indian MNC/Conglomerate
10-15
12-14
Up to 18+
Aditya Birla Group
Indian Conglomerate
10-15
12-14
Up to 16+
Goldman Sachs
Global Investment Bank
12-20+
15-18
Up to 23-30+
ITC Limited
FMCG/Conglomerate
10-16
12-14
Up to 18+
Power Finance Corporation (PFC)
PSU/Financial Services
12-20 (campus offers)
12-15
Up to 26-27 (recent ICAI highest)
Other Top Recruiters (e.g., TCS, Infosys, Genpact)
IT/MNCs
9-14
10-12
Up to 15-20
CA Salary- Based on Experience
Below is the expected CA salary list based on experience, on the latest trends:
Experience Level
Years of Experience
Average Salary (INR LPA)
Typical Roles / Employers
Freshers / Entry-Level
0-1 / 0-3 years
8-13
Audit Associate, Tax Consultant (Big 4, MNCs like Reliance, startups)
Chartered Accountant (CA) salaries in India’s government sector in 2026 offer stability, fixed pay scales under the 7th Pay Commission (or PSU-specific structures), generous allowances (DA, HRA, TA, medical, pension), job security, and work-life balance compared to private sector intensity. Entry-level pay is often lower than Big 4 or top MNCs (typically INR 7-15 LPA CTC for freshers).
It includes perks like housing, medical coverage, and retirement benefits, making the effective package attractive. Roles in PSUs (e.g., ONGC, NTPC, SBI), regulatory bodies (RBI, SEBI), audit (CAG), and ministries provide opportunities through ICAI placements, direct recruitment, or exams like UPSC/SSC. Experienced CAs advance to senior scales with higher pay and prestige. Below is a detailed table with approximate salaries:
Assistant Audit Officer, Audit Officer (via SSC CGL or direct)
7-15 (Pay Level 8-10: ₹47,600-1,77,500 basic)
15-30+ (up to Level 14)
Income Tax Department / CBDT
Income Tax Officer, Assistant Commissioner (via UPSC/SSC)
8-15
15-25+
Other Central Govt / Ministries (e.g., Ministry of Finance, Railways)
Finance Officer, Accounts Officer
6-15
12-25+
General Government/PSU Average
Various CA-specific roles
8-18 (freshers)
15-40+
FAQs
1. What is the average salary for a freshly qualified CA in India in 2026?
Freshly qualified Chartered Accountants in 2026 earn an average of INR 8-13 LPA through ICAI campus placements. Big 4 firms offer INR 9-14 LPA, while top MNCs and rank holders can secure INR 15-20+ LPA. Non-campus or smaller firms start lower at INR 6-8 LPA.
2. Which companies offer the highest packages to fresh CAs?
Top offers come from MNCs like Goldman Sachs (INR 15-25+ LPA), Power Finance Corporation (up to INR 26-36 LPA in ICAI placements), Reliance Industries, and Aditya Birla Group (INR 12-18 LPA). Big 4 firms provide competitive but slightly lower entry packages with strong growth potential.
3. How much do Chartered Accountants earn in government jobs or PSUs?
Government and PSU roles offer INR 7-18 LPA CTC for freshers, including allowances and perks. RBI/SEBI Grade A officers start at INR 18-25 LPA with excellent benefits. Mid-level and senior positions reach INR 15-40+ LPA with job security and pension advantages.
4. Does CA salary increase significantly with experience?
Yes, salaries grow rapidly. Mid-level CAs (5-10 years) earn INR 15-35 LPA, seniors (10+ years) make INR 25-70+ LPA, and partners/CFOs often exceed INR 50-100+ LPA in top firms or independent practice, especially with specialization in tax, consulting, or valuation.
5. How do Big 4 salaries compare to industry/MNC roles for fresh CAs?
Big 4 (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) start freshers at INR 9-14 LPA with structured training. Industry/MNC roles (Reliance, Goldman Sachs, ITC) often pay INR 10-20+ LPA for finance/FP&A positions, offering faster hikes but less formal training compared to Big 4.
6. What factors influence a CA’s salary the most in 2026?
Key factors include CA Final attempts and ranks (first attempt/rank holders get 20-50% premium), location (metros like Mumbai/Delhi pay 20-30% more), employer type (Big 4 vs MNCs), specialization (advisory/tax higher), and additional skills like IFRS, valuation, or data analytics.
7. Is the CA salary expected to rise further in the coming years?
Yes, CA salaries are projected to increase steadily due to India’s economic growth, stricter compliance, digital finance transformation, and global demand. Freshers may see averages rise to INR 10-15 LPA by 2028-2030, with experienced professionals benefiting from higher demand in consulting and regulatory roles.
Abhijeet Chatterjee is a professional Content and Copy specialist with over five years of experience in crafting compelling content around the Edtech domain. His portfolio includes notable work for companies such as PhysicsWallah, Roar Media, Jagran Josh, etc. Academically, Abhijeet holds a Master's in Mass Communication, where he was awarded a gold medal for his outstanding performance. He has also qualified for the UGC NET in Mass Communication, demonstrating his expertise and a deep understanding of the field. His academic foundation is built on a Bachelor's degree in English Literature. Beyond his professional work, Abhijeet is an avid writer and a cinephile. His personal interests include scriptwriting, film criticism, and reading novels.
