CA Sri Lanka (ICASL) Course
Sri Lanka's Premier Chartered Accountancy Qualification — Levels, Fees and Career Guide
CA Sri Lanka (ICASL) is the country's most prestigious accounting qualification. Awarded by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, the CA designation commands the highest respect from local employers in audit, banking, corporate finance, and the public sector.
What Is CA Sri Lanka?
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL) is the sole body authorised to grant the title of Chartered Accountant in Sri Lanka. Established under Parliament Act No. 23 of 1959, ICASL has shaped the accounting profession in Sri Lanka for over six decades. The CA Sri Lanka qualification is structured to develop professionals who are competent in financial reporting, audit, taxation, management accounting, and corporate governance under Sri Lankan law and standards.
For students who wish to build their career primarily in Sri Lanka, CA Sri Lanka is arguably the single most valuable professional accounting qualification available. Every major audit firm, commercial bank, state-owned enterprise, and listed company on the Colombo Stock Exchange values and actively recruits CA Sri Lanka members. The Big Four and mid-tier audit firms take on CA Sri Lanka students as trainees and provide the structured training environment required for qualification.
ICASL has bilateral mutual recognition agreements with ACCA (UK), ICAEW (UK), and ICAI (India). This means a fully qualified CA Sri Lanka member can pursue membership of these bodies through an abbreviated route, greatly enhancing international career mobility.
CA Sri Lanka at a Glance
- Awarding Body: Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL)
- Designation: ACA (Associate) / FCA (Fellow)
- Total Exam Papers: 12 papers across three levels
- Practical Training: 3 years in an approved organisation (concurrent with study)
- International Recognition: Mutual agreements with ACCA, ICAEW, ICAI
CA Sri Lanka Qualification Structure
Certificate Level
Introductory level covering quantitative methods and the basics of double-entry bookkeeping and financial statements. Computer-based assessments.
Papers: Business Mathematics and Statistics, Financial Accounting Fundamentals
Fees: Indicative exam fee: approx. LKR 3,000 to LKR 5,000 per paper — contact ICASL or Ceylon Open Campus for current rates.
Business Level
Builds knowledge of the legal, economic, and management framework within which accountants operate. Exams are held twice yearly.
Papers: Business and Corporate Law, Business Economics, Business Management, Business Accounting
Fees: Indicative exam fee: approx. LKR 5,000 to LKR 7,500 per paper — contact for current rates.
Professional Level I
Deep technical knowledge in taxation law and practice, statutory audit, and the preparation and analysis of complex financial statements under Sri Lanka Accounting Standards (SLFRS/LKAS).
Papers: Advanced Taxation, Audit and Assurance, Advanced Financial Reporting
Fees: Indicative exam fee: approx. LKR 8,000 to LKR 10,000 per paper — contact for current rates.
Professional Level II
Strategic and integrative level. The Case Study is a multi-day simulation-based assessment testing the application of all prior learning to a realistic business scenario.
Papers: Management Accounting and Finance, Business Strategy and Analytics, Integrated Case Study
Fees: Indicative exam fee: approx. LKR 9,000 to LKR 12,000 per paper — contact for current rates.
CA Sri Lanka Career Outcomes and Salary
CA Sri Lanka holders are among the highest-earning professionals in the country. The qualification opens direct pathways into the Big Four accounting firms, commercial and development banks, listed conglomerates, government financial institutions, and multinational companies.
| Role | Monthly Salary (LKR) | Typical Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Audit/Accounts Junior (Trainee) | 35,000 – 70,000 | Audit firms |
| Audit Senior / Accounts Manager | 100,000 – 200,000 | Audit, banking, corporates |
| Finance Manager (Newly Qualified ACA) | 200,000 – 350,000 | PLCs, MNCs, banks |
| Senior Finance Manager / Director | 300,000 – 550,000 | Listed companies |
| CFO / Group Finance Director (FCA) | 500,000 – 900,000+ | Conglomerates, state banks |
*Indicative LKR ranges. Actual salary depends on employer size, sector, and negotiation. Big Four firms may offer structured salary bands with annual progression.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CA Sri Lanka (ICASL) and who awards it?
CA Sri Lanka is the Chartered Accountancy qualification awarded by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL), the national professional accountancy body established by an Act of Parliament (No. 23 of 1959). The CA Sri Lanka designation is the highest locally awarded accounting qualification and is widely regarded as the gold standard for accountants working within Sri Lanka. ICASL has mutual recognition agreements with ACCA, ICAEW (UK), and ICAI (India), giving CA Sri Lanka members pathways to international membership.
What are the levels of the CA Sri Lanka qualification?
The CA Sri Lanka qualification has three main levels: (1) Certificate Level — two papers (Business Mathematics and Statistics, and Financial Accounting Fundamentals) that build foundational knowledge; (2) Business Level — four papers covering Business and Corporate Law, Business Economics, Business Management, and Business Accounting; and (3) Professional Level — six papers split into two sub-levels (Professional I and Professional II) covering Advanced Taxation, Audit and Assurance, Advanced Financial Reporting, Management Accounting and Finance, Business Strategy, and an Integrated Case Study. Passing all levels and completing three years of approved practical training leads to full CA Sri Lanka membership.
What are the entry requirements for CA Sri Lanka?
The standard entry route to CA Sri Lanka requires a pass in three subjects at Sri Lanka A/Level (or equivalent) and at least five passes at O/Level including Mathematics and English. Degree holders in accounting or business from recognised Sri Lankan universities may qualify for exemptions from the Certificate and/or Business levels, allowing entry directly at the Professional level. AAT(SL) qualification holders are also eligible for Business Level entry.
What are the indicative fees for CA Sri Lanka?
ICASL sets its own registration and examination fees in LKR. Indicative exam fees per paper have ranged from around LKR 3,000 at Certificate level to LKR 10,000 at Professional level in recent years, though fees are subject to annual revision. Tuition fees at registered ICASL study institutes vary considerably; indicatively, tuition per paper ranges from LKR 8,000 to LKR 20,000. Please contact Ceylon Open Campus or ICASL directly for the current fee schedule.
How long does it take to complete CA Sri Lanka?
Most CA Sri Lanka students complete the qualification in four to six years while working under an approved training contract. The training contract (three years of supervised professional experience in an approved organisation or audit firm) runs concurrently with study. Degree holders with exemptions may complete in three to four years. There is no restriction on the number of exam attempts, but each paper must be passed with a minimum of 50 per cent.
What is the salary for a CA Sri Lanka-qualified Chartered Accountant?
CA Sri Lanka is the most recognised accounting qualification for senior roles in Sri Lanka. Newly qualified CAs typically earn LKR 200,000 to LKR 350,000 in their first post-qualification role. With five to eight years of experience, Finance Managers and Senior CAs earn LKR 300,000 to LKR 500,000. CFOs and Group Finance Directors with CA Sri Lanka qualifications at listed companies can earn LKR 500,000 to LKR 900,000 or more, placing them among the highest-paid professionals in the country.
Begin Your CA Sri Lanka Journey
Contact Ceylon Open Campus to learn about CA Sri Lanka tuition timetables, current fees, and how to plan your study pathway alongside your training contract.
Phone
075 922 0083
Mon-Sat: 9AM - 6PM
coc.ceylon@gmail.com
24-hour response time
Campus
Ceylon Open Campus
Kattankudy, Sri Lanka