What Is a Chartered Accountant?

Chartered accountants are highly skilled finance professionals.

According to the Association of Chartered Accountants in the United States, the title "chartered accountant," and the designated letters CA, CCA and FCA originated in Scotland and England during the 1800s. Many of the accounting firms in the United States today can trace their history back to Scottish and English chartered accountants who were involved in auditing British investments in the United States and stayed to continue their accounting careers.

Qualifications

The required education of a chartered accountant includes an undergraduate degree in accounting or other finance-related field. Chartered accountants must also must pursue post-graduate studies and have three years work experience to qualify for application. They must also pass a variety of examinations. Specific requirements vary depending on the association and the country in which it is located.

Duties

A chartered accountant's job duties vary depending upon their position but may include preparing financial reports, managing investment records and giving professional advice pertaining to fiscal decisions and financial risks. They are employed by public companies and government offices.

Salary

According to PayScale, as of November 2010, the salary range of a chartered account is $31,143 to $80,675. More than 78 percent of those employed received health benefits and 41 percent receive dental benefits.

References

• Association of Chartered Accountants in the United States: The CA Qualification
• "History of Accounting"; John R. Alexander, 2002
• Educational-Portal: Chartered Accountant Job, Salary and Career Information
• PayScale: Salary Snapshot of Chartered Accountant Jobs