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.
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.
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.
|
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 |
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
CA certificates cost ₹2,000–₹1,00,000+; CS certification fees usually range ₹3,000–₹75,000+, depending on complexity and scope.
Yes. A CA confirms no financial liabilities, while a CS certifies ROC compliance. Both may be required.
Only a Chartered Accountant can issue Form 15CB.
MGT-8 is a CS certificate, issued for annual return compliance.
Yes. ICAI mandates UDIN for CA, ICSI mandates UDIN for CS.
A CA certificate is usually required for DPT-3 (Return of Deposits).
Yes, for ROC-related FEMA filings (FC-GPR/FC-TRS). For tax-related FEMA (Form 15CB), only CA can issue.
Yes. Certification fees are allowable business expenses under the Income Tax Act.
A CA certificate is required for GST refund claims.
Banks accept CA certificates for financial verification, CS certificates for compliance proof. Often, both are required.
Both can. Banks prefer CA DDR; regulators prefer CS DDR.
No. ICAI only issues guidelines. Charges are mutually decided with the client.
They can face disciplinary action, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage.
Both are needed – CA for valuation/financial due diligence and CS for ROC/SEBI compliance.
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