CA vs CS Certificates in India – Types, Fees, and Compliance Explained  

Introduction  

Certificates issued by Chartered Accountants (CAs) and Company Secretaries (CSs) play a pivotal role in India’s compliance ecosystem. Whether you’re a startup raising funds, a listed company, or an SME seeking loans, knowing the difference between CA and CS certificates helps you save time, money, and avoid regulatory pitfalls.

This guide compares types of CA vs CS certificates, their fees, UDIN norms, and when to approach whom.

CA Certificates – At a Glance  

Chartered Accountant certificates cover financial reporting, audits, FEMA, tax, and solvency. Examples include:

• Net Worth Certificate (for loans, visas, and investments)

• Turnover Certificate (for tenders, contracts)

• Form 15CB Certificate (for foreign remittances)

• Solvency Certificate (for loans and contracts)

• DPT-3 Certification (return of deposits)

• Strike-off Support Certificate

• GST Refund Certification

• Audit Reports & Compliance Certificates

For details, refer to the standalone CA Certificates Blog.

CS Certificates – At a Glance  

Company Secretary certificates focus on corporate governance, ROC, SEBI, and shareholder compliance. Examples include:

• MGT-8 Certificate (Annual Return)

• MR-3 Secretarial Audit Report

• SEBI Annual Secretarial Compliance Report

• Corporate Governance Compliance Certificate

• Director Non-Disqualification Certificate

• Share Capital Reconciliation Report (Reg. 76)

• Share Transfer Compliance Certificate (Reg. 40(9))

• FDI Compliance Certification (FC-GPR/FC-TRS)

• Due Diligence Report (for banks, M&A)

• Scrutinizer’s Report (AGM/EGM)

For details, refer to the standalone CS Certificates Blog.

Comparative Table – CA vs CS Certificates  

When to Approach CA vs CS  

• CA (Chartered Accountant): When you need financial validation, tax certification, FEMA compliance, solvency proof, statutory audit certifications.

• CS (Company Secretary): When you need ROC, SEBI, governance, or secretarial compliance certifications.

Overlaps  

Some certifications can be issued by either CA or CS, depending on regulator preference:

• Due Diligence Reports (CA preferred by banks, CS by regulators).

• FEMA filings (CA for tax angle, CS for ROC angle).

• Strike-off (CA for financial clearance, CS for statutory filings).

UDIN Norms  

• CA Certificates: ICAI mandates UDIN for all certifications since 2019.

• CS Certificates: ICSI mandates UDIN since 2019.

Always verify UDIN for authenticity before accepting a certificate.

Fees Comparison – CA vs CS Certification Fees  

• CA Certificate Charges: ₹2,000 – ₹1,00,000+ depending on scope (e.g., simple turnover certificate vs detailed FEMA audit).

• CS Certification Fees: ₹3,000 – ₹75,000+ for ROC, SEBI, or governance compliance reports.

Fees are not fixed by ICAI/ICSI; they depend on company size, complexity, and professional reputation.

Conclusion  

Both CA and CS certificates are equally critical but serve different purposes. For startups, corporates, or listed entities, knowing which professional to approach, expected certification fees, and UDIN norms helps streamline compliance. Always verify UDIN and engage reputed professionals to ensure valid certifications.

Suggested Read :

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FAQs on CA vs CS Certificates