what is a chartered accountant ca 
a chartered accountant ca is a financial professional who is qualified to execute certain accounting procedures it also refers to an accounting designation granted internationally to individuals aside from the united states cas work in four main areas including applied finance financial accounting and reporting management accounting and taxation their responsibilities may include filing taxes and auditing financial statements this designation is the same as the certified public accountant cpa designation in the united states duties and responsibilities of chartered accountants cas as noted above a chartered accountant is a financial professional who works in the field of accounting the designation held by cas is the international equivalent of a cpa in the united states cas earn their designation based on the rules and regulations of the country in which they work chartered accountants work both in the private and public sectors for organizations businesses governments and individuals to help them meet their financial needs they generally focus on one of four areas depending on their area of focus cas may handle one aspect of a company s business such as auditing financial statements others may oversee all of a company s accounting needs or they may work as freelancers who handle accounting matters for multiple clients the ca designation proves cas are qualified to file a business s tax return audit financial statements and business practices and offer advisory services to clients cas and cpas perform very similar tasks on a day to day basis 