CA salary in audit and assurance
Audit is where most CAs start, often at a Big 4 or large firm. In this model a metro audit role pays about ₹8.8 L in Year 1 (₹7.5 to 10.1 L).
Audit pay starts a little below other functions, but it builds the base for many later moves. The typical Year-5 figure is ₹13.2 L.
Illustrative estimate, data as of 2026-09. Many inputs are still being verified. See the methodology.
Typical income: Audit and assurance
Year 1, typical
₹8.8 L
Range ₹7.5 to 10.1 L
Year 5, typical
₹13.2 L
Range ₹10.6 to 19.2 L
Gross annual pay in nominal rupees. Assumes: Job in a CA firm or Big 4, audit and assurance, a metro city, qualifying at 24 in the first attempt, mid-size firm articleship, no extra qualifications.
Income over 15 years
The x-axis is years after qualifying. Values are in the table below.
| After qualifying | Conservative | Typical | Strong |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 age 24 | ₹7.5 L | ₹8.8 L | ₹10.1 L |
| Year 3 age 26 | ₹9.0 L | ₹11.0 L | ₹15.4 L |
| Year 5 age 28 | ₹10.6 L | ₹13.2 L | ₹19.2 L |
| Year 10 age 33 | ₹14.9 L | ₹19.3 L | ₹29.0 L |
| Year 15 age 38 | ₹19.9 L | ₹26.5 L | ₹41.1 L |
What moves this number
Each change is measured on its own against the figures above, by the change in typical Year-5 income.
- Move from a CA firm or Big 4 job to a job in industry: +₹7.1 L in Year 5
- Switch function from Audit and assurance to Investment banking and M&A: +₹7.0 L in Year 5
- Work in the Gulf (gross pay, before living costs and tax): +₹4.0 L in Year 5
- Switch function from Audit and assurance to Indirect tax and GST: +₹1.4 L in Year 5
See your own number
Change your qualifying age, attempt, articleship, city and skills, and compare two scenarios side by side.
Open this in the calculatorTalk to FOCAS Edu about your attemptFrequently asked questions
What is the salary of a CA in audit?
About ₹8.8 L in Year 1 and ₹13.2 L by Year 5 in this model, for a metro firm role.
Does audit pay less than other CA roles?
Slightly, at the start. Audit is set a little below direct tax in this model, and the gap is small compared with the city or path you choose.
Which qualification helps an audit career?
IFRS and DISA are the most relevant add-ons for audit in this model. Each adds a small, capped uplift.
Are these real salary offers?
No. They are illustrative ranges from a model built on published campus-placement figures and salary surveys. Many inputs are still being verified, so treat them as estimates, not offers or guarantees.
Related salary guides
By function
- Direct tax
- Indirect tax and GST
- Corporate finance and FP&A
- Investment banking and M&A
- Internal audit and risk
- Forensic and valuation
More guides
These figures are illustrative ranges built from published campus-placement data and market salary surveys. They are not job offers or guarantees. Real pay varies with the firm, your negotiation, the job market and your own performance. Items marked 'estimated' are our assumptions and are still being verified.