Chartered accountant Pawan Kumar addresses students of New Era Public School in Patna on Friday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Early decision is crucial for a sound career, especially if one wants to become a chartered accountant, advised experts on Friday.

Rotary Patna organised a career counselling-cum-interactive session at New Era Public School, where students were told about the steps required to become a chartered accountant.

Students of classes IX and X took part in the session.

Chartered accountant Pawan Kumar said: “Aspiring chartered accountants need to enrol for the common proficiency test (CPT). This should be done at least two months before the test.”

He told students that CPT is held twice a year — in June and December. “The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) provides study materials to students. One must appear for Class XII examination before taking the CPT. Class XII examination and the CPT must be cleared before joining the integrated professional competency course (IPCC),” he said.

Through a PowerPoint presentation, Kumar said: “The first group of IPCC comprises four papers, while the other group includes three papers. After clearing IPCC group 1, one becomes eligible for practical training.”

Secretary of Rotary Patna Sidharth Shankar Singh and school principal Neena Kumar attended the programme.

“Students have many options but they are not always aware of what to choose. It is necessary to guide them as far as their careers are concerned,” she said, adding that this was the first such event this year and more such programmes would follow.

Chartered accountant Anju Sharma, who is also the president of Rotary Patna, said: “Now, chartered accountancy is open for graduates. Those who want to take up the stream after their graduation, need not take the CPT and can appear for IPCC directly.”