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

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  

Aspect

CA Certificates

CS Certificates

Regulatory Coverage

Finance, Tax, FEMA, Audit

ROC, SEBI, Governance

Common Documents

ITR, GST, Balance Sheets, Bank Statements

Statutory Registers, Board Resolutions, ROC Filings

Typical Fees

₹2,000 – ₹1,00,000+

₹3,000 – ₹1,00,000+

Startups Need

Net Worth, Turnover, Strike-off

MGT-8, ESOP compliance

Listed Companies

Audit reports, FEMA compliance

SEBI LODR, MR-3, Corporate Governance

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 :

Format of CS Certificate to be Attached with FC-GPR

FAQs on Private Limited Company Registration in India

Documents Required for Company Formation in India

Secretarial Compliance for Pvt Ltd & OPC Companies

Company Registration in India by Foreigners Online

FAQs on CA vs CS Certificates

1. Do startups need CA or CS certificates for fundraising?

Startups typically need both: a CA certificate (Net Worth/Turnover) for financial proof and a CS certificate (MGT-8 or compliance report) for ROC/governance confirmation.

2. What is the difference between CA and CS certification fees?

CA certificates cost ₹2,000–₹1,00,000+; CS certification fees usually range ₹3,000–₹75,000+, depending on complexity and scope.

3. Can strike-off be certified by a CA or a CS?

Yes. A CA confirms no financial liabilities, while a CS certifies ROC compliance. Both may be required.

4. Who certifies Form 15CB for foreign remittances?

Only a Chartered Accountant can issue Form 15CB.

5. Is MGT-8 a CA or CS certificate?

MGT-8 is a CS certificate, issued for annual return compliance.

6. Do both CA and CS need to use UDIN?

Yes. ICAI mandates UDIN for CA, ICSI mandates UDIN for CS.

7. Which certificate is required for DPT-3 filing?

A CA certificate is usually required for DPT-3 (Return of Deposits).

8. Can a CS issue FEMA compliance certificates?

Yes, for ROC-related FEMA filings (FC-GPR/FC-TRS). For tax-related FEMA (Form 15CB), only CA can issue.

9. Are CA/CS certification fees tax deductible?

Yes. Certification fees are allowable business expenses under the Income Tax Act.

10. Who certifies GST refund claims?

A CA certificate is required for GST refund claims.

11. Can banks accept CS certificates instead of CA certificates?

Banks accept CA certificates for financial verification, CS certificates for compliance proof. Often, both are required.

12. Which professional issues due diligence reports for loans?

Both can. Banks prefer CA DDR; regulators prefer CS DDR.

13. Are CA certificate charges fixed by ICAI?

No. ICAI only issues guidelines. Charges are mutually decided with the client.

14. What happens if a wrong certificate is issued by CA/CS?

They can face disciplinary action, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage.

15. Do mergers and acquisitions require CA or CS certificates?

Both are needed – CA for valuation/financial due diligence and CS for ROC/SEBI compliance.

Dhruvi

Dhruvi Darji is a Content Writer at Ebizfiling who turned her passion for writing into a full-time career. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Applications from KSV University and has been writing content professionally since 2023. Over time, she has worked on various topics and enjoys creating simple, clear, and helpful content that helps people gain a better understanding. She also holds a 7-band IELTS score, reflecting her strong grasp of language and communication. Beyond work, Dhruvi enjoys journaling and crafting stories.

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