How to Choose the Right Chartered Accountant in India (FY 2025-26 Guide)
Choosing a Chartered Accountant (CA) is one of the most important decisions you will make for your business. Whether you run a service business, manufacturing unit, or ecommerce brand — managing taxes, compliance, and financial clarity is crucial.
But here’s a fact most business owners do not realise:
Not all financial tasks require a CA.
Many monthly responsibilities like GST filing, bookkeeping, and ecommerce reconciliation can be managed more efficiently by specialised accounting firms — at a fraction of CA fees.
This detailed guide will help you understand:
- What work truly requires a CA
- What work does not need a CA
- How to select the right CA for your needs
- How to reduce your monthly accounting cost by 60%
- When a specialised accounting service provider (like Om Accounting) is a better choice
What Does a Chartered Accountant Do?
A Chartered Accountant is qualified to perform tasks that involve certification, statutory approval, and legal compliance. Their key responsibilities include:
- Statutory audits
- Tax audits
- Filing and certifying financial statements
- Company law compliance (ROC/LLP filings)
- Tax planning & capital structuring
- Business valuations
These services are legally restricted to CAs as per ICAI guidelines.
What You DON’T Need a CA For (Most Businesses Don’t Know This)
Most of the operational and day-to-day work does not require a CA and is better handled by specialised accountants.
You do NOT need a CA for:
- Monthly GST return filing
- Routine bookkeeping
- Ecommerce accounting & reconciliation
- TDS filing
- Marketplace settlement checking
- Profitability & expense reports
- Inventory tracking
- Payment gateway reconciliation
- Financial dashboards
These tasks require accuracy, speed, and digital tools — not certification.
Specialised accounting firms like Om Accounting complete this work at lower cost with better accuracy.
CA vs Accounting Firm — Easy, Honest Comparison
| Business Need | Needs CA? | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory audit | ✔️ Yes | CA Firm |
| Tax audit | ✔️ Yes | CA |
| ROC compliance | ✔️ Yes | CA |
| GST monthly filing | ❌ No | Accounting Firm |
| Bookkeeping | ❌ No | Accounting Firm |
| Ecommerce reconciliation | ❌ No | Ecommerce Specialist |
| Monthly reports & MIS | ❌ No | Accounting Firm |
| Marketplace accounting | ❌ No | Om Accounting |
For regular business bookkeeping and ecommerce support, a CA firm is overkill and overpriced.
Specialised accounting providers are the smarter alternative.
How to Select the Right CA in India (2025 Checklist)
1. Industry Experience
A CA who understands your business model will give far better advice.
2. Turnaround Speed & Communication
Financial matters cannot wait. Timely response is extremely important.
3. Transparent Fee
Choose a CA who shares clear pricing for audit, tax filing, and compliance.
4. Technology Adoption
Your CA should be comfortable with cloud tools, online accounting systems, and ecommerce softwares.
5. Availability of a Team
A CA with a support team ensures continuity and faster execution.
Smart Business Strategy: Use Both CA + Accounting Firm
Most professional businesses in India follow this structure:
✔ CA handles
- Audit
- Tax planning
- Financial signing
- Certification
✔ Accounting firm handles
- GST
- Bookkeeping
- Ecommerce
- Reconciliation
- Monthly reporting
This gives you the best outcome at the lowest cost.
Why Modern Businesses Choose Om Accounting
Om Accounting specialises in:
- Ecommerce Accounting (Amazon, Flipkart, Shopify, Myntra, Ajio)
- GST filing
- Monthly bookkeeping
- Marketplace & payment gateway reconciliation
- Inventory & expense reporting
- MIS dashboards
- Profit analysis
We deliver:
✔ 100% accuracy
✔ Transparent monthly pricing
✔ Fast turnaround
✔ WhatsApp + Phone support
✔ End-to-end ecommerce expertise
📞 Call/WhatsApp: +91 80944 44888
🌐 www.OMaccounting.in
❓ FAQs
Q1: Do I need a Chartered Accountant for monthly GST filing?
No. GST filing does not legally require a CA. A trained accountant or specialised accounting firm can manage this accurately at lower cost.
Q2: What tasks absolutely require a CA in India?
CA is required for statutory audits, tax audits, certification, and company law compliance. Routine work does not require a CA.
Q3: Is an accounting firm cheaper than a CA firm?
Yes. Accounting firms usually charge 50–70% less for bookkeeping, GST, and reconciliation because certification is not involved.
Q4: Can I use a CA and a separate accounting firm together?
Yes. This is the most efficient setup.
CA handles audit & compliance.
Accounting firm handles monthly work.
Q5: Do ecommerce sellers need a CA?
Only for audit or tax planning.
For reconciliation, GST, and reports — using an ecommerce-focused accountant is more accurate.
Q6: How do I choose the right CA for my business?
Look for experience in your industry, transparent fees, responsiveness, team size, and digital accounting capability.
Q7: What is the difference between a CA and an accountant?
A CA handles certification & compliance.
An accountant handles day-to-day finance operations.
Q8: What is the most affordable way to manage accounting for small businesses?
Hiring a specialised accounting firm for monthly work + using a CA only when required.