Introduction
In this modern age, you’ll need have some familiarity with Information Technology regardless of your plans. Not only that, you’ll need to interact with a lot of people, and as such you’ll have to develop soft skills.
That’s why ICAI has introduced two courses:
- Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS)
- Advanced Integrated Course of Information Technology and Soft Skills (AICITSS)
You’ll need to complete both during your Chartered Accountancy Course.
In this post, we’ll talk about ICITSS. (Here’s information about AICITSS if you so wish.) Course contents, eligibility requirements, the process of registration and the syllabus breakdown. Interesting, right?
Let’s begin.
So, what is ICITSS?
What’s on this page:
Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS): Introduction
ICITSS: Registration
ICITSS Training Centres
Courses of ICITSS
Overall View of the Course on Information Technology
Course on Information Technology: Syllabus
Course on Information Technology: Attendance Requirements and Dress Code
Course on Information Technology: Structure
Course on Information Technology: Module Tests
Course on Information Technology: Project
Course on Information Technology: Final Online Examination
Course on Information Technology: Passing Requirements
Overview of the Orientation Course
Orientation Course: Syllabus
Orientation Course: Attendance & Passing Requirements; Dress Code
Orientation Course: General Points
Concessions to Differently Abled Students
Final Thoughts
Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS): Introduction
This is a course that combines both information technology and soft skills. The course lasts for approximately four weeks. ICITSS is open to all candidates who have passed CA Foundation or have taken a direct entry to the Chartered Accountancy Course. You’ll have to complete this course before 15 days of registering for Articleship training. This is regardless of how you choose to enter the CA course.
ICITSS: Registration
There are two courses in ICITSS:
- Course on Information Technology (IT)
- Oriented Course (OC)
You’ll have to register separately for each course.
You’ll have to register via an online portal. The enrolment of students is on a “First come, first serve basis.”
These are the steps to register:
- Login at any of the two online portals:
- Register in a particular batch launched by the Programme Organising Unit (POU)
- Make the necessary payment using either a credit or debit card
- After registration, take a print out of the acknowledgement slip
- Submit the slip along with other documents mentioned in it to the concerned POU at least two days before commencement of the batch
- After verification, the concerned POU will confirm registration
You do have an option to transfer your batch if needed. Once you’ve passed the courses, you can get the completion certificate online.
ICITSS Training Centres
There are many training centres across the country. 118 at last count. Choose from this list of training centres. Choose one that’s nearest you of course!
Courses of ICITSS
As mentioned, there are two courses in ICITSS. And you’ll have to register for both courses.
To recap the courses are:
- Course on Information Technology (IT)
- Oriented Course (OC)
The titles of each course are suggestive of the content. But, let’s take a deeper look at what each course is about. And the requirements to pass.
Overall View of the Course on Information Technology
The objective of this course is
- To develop an understanding for use of Information Technology in the field of accounting and auditing and uniform theoretical and practical knowledge to all the aspiring CA students.
- To provide training focused on knowledge of Electronic Spread Sheet, Data Base Management System, Computer Assisted Audit Technique (CAAT) and Accounting Package, etc.
The course contains of classes. The classes are scheduled for a minimum of 6 hours per day for 15 working days.
The fee is Rs. 6500 per student. It’s inclusive of refreshments and course materials.
Let’s go over the syllabus.
Course on Information Technology: Syllabus
Here are the topics of the course, along with the hours allocated for each topic.
Fig (1): ICITSS – Course on Information Technology: Syllabus Overview
As you can see the total time to cover all topics is 90 minutes. Now let’s go over the attendance requirements and dress code.
Course on Information Technology: Attendance Requirements and Dress Code
You’ll need to have at least 90% attendance. Otherwise you’ll not be able to sit for the Final Exam. Furthermore, you are to adhere to a dress code when attending classes. You’ll have to be dressed formally. You’ll not be allowed to enter class wearing Jeans and T-shirts. For male students, the advisory dress code is to wear full sleeve shirts and trousers. For female students, appropriate attire would be sarees/salwar kurta /suit. While appearing before the appellate authority, you may also wear a suit and tie.
Course on Information Technology: Structure
You’ll have to:
- Pass two module tests
- Complete a project
- Appear for a final online examination
Let’s look at each requirement in detail.
Course on Information Technology: Module Tests
You’ll need to get at least 50% marks in each test. The tests contain both objective and descriptive questions. The duration of each module test is one hour. The training centre will evaluate your test.
In case you fail in a test, you can reappear for it. One reappearance is free. For each additional reappearance, you’ll have to pay Rs.150.
Course on Information Technology: Project
As part of the course, you’ll need to do a project. This will cover all aspects of the course syllabus. You’ll have to submit the project before the final examination.
Course on Information Technology: Final Online Examination
After passing the two module tests, and submitting the project, you’ll have to appear for a final online examination. The complete criteria for appearance are as follows:
- 90% attendance
- Pass two module tests
- Submit final project
- Payment of full fees for the course
The final exam itself consists of objective type questions. The duration of the exam is 3 hours. There are 200 questions. It’s held on a Sunday, and you’ll be informed of the date by the centre in which you are pursuing the course. You’ll have to complete the exam in one sitting. There will be a large database of questions, and the online exam software generates the questions randomly. Questions will be selected from topics in proportion to the hours allocated for each topic.
For now, let’s look at the passing requirements.
Course on Information Technology: Passing Requirements
To pass the course, you’ll have to obtain at least 60% marks in total. The weightage of each component is as follows:
- Two module tests – 20%
- Project report – 20%
- Final online examination – 60%
If you do not get 60% marks in total, you can reappear for the final examination. Two attempts are free. Any further attempts will cost you Rs. 300 each.
Now, let’s go over the orientation course.
Overview of the Orientation Course
According to ICAI, the objectives are
- To familiarize with various dimensions of the Indian Accountancy Profession.
- To develop effective communication and presentation skills.
- To groom and motivate the entrants to be knowledgeable and skilled professionals.
- To expand the significance of practical training in the life of a professional.
- To foster values such as integrity, transparency and Independence in the budding professionals.
You’ll need to complete the Orientation Course before practical training.
The course consists of classes. 6 hours per day for 15 working days. The fee is Rs. 7000 for the course. This includes course materials and refreshments. You can also choose to enrol in a residential orientation course. It covers the same material, but it is in residence. The fees for that is Rs. 20000.
Let’s go over the course details.
Orientation Course: Syllabus
Fig (2): ICITSS – Orientation Course: Syllabus Overview
Orientation Course: Attendance & Passing Requirements; Dress Code
To pass the course, you’ll need to attend without any discontinuity. Under exceptional circumstances, you may be allowed a leave of absence for a maximum of two days (or four sessions). Do all assignments, presentations, etc. that may be asked of you. If you satisfy these requirements, you’ll get a certificate of completion.
You’ll be expected to conduct yourself professionally. This means adhering to a dress code. Be dressed formally. An advisory dress code for male students is full sleeved shirts and trousers. For female students, it is sarees/salwar kurta/suit. You may wear a suit and tie when appearing before the appellate authority.
Orientation Course: General Points
There is a penalty clause if you don’t inform your absence after confirmation of allotment of a batch at least 3 days before commencement. The penalty is Rs. 500. No waiver is allowed. The organising centre will collect this in the form of a demand draft.
You’ll be expected to maintain discipline and decorum apart from adhering to the dress code. If you misbehave or cause nuisance in the class, the faculty will have the power to make a note of such behaviour. Disciplinary penalties may include even withholding of the Programme Completion Certificate!
Also, note that cameras and photography are not allowed in the sessions.
Concessions to Differently Abled Students
There are exemptions to differently abled students who are suffering from 50% or above permanent disability.
According to ICAI, disability includes the following:
- Physical disability:
- Locomotor disability (inability to move properly due to your musculoskeletal or nervous system being affected)
- Visual impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Intellectual disability
- Specific learning disabilities
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Mental behaviour
- Disability caused due to:
- Chronic neurological conditions
- Blood disorders
- Multiple disabilities (more than one of the above specified disabilities)
- Any other category as may be notified by the Central Government
If you are such a student, you gain exemptions for both courses of ICITSS. You don’t need to pay any registration fees.
Furthermore, in the case of the Course on Information Technology, you’ll have the following choices:
- Choose to go through the Course normally
- Do not attend any classes
If you choose option (b), you’ll have to follow these guidelines:
- Inform ICAI by submitting a certificate of suffering from disability. This has to be certified by a physician/ surgeon/ oculist working a Government Hospital. Provide these documents at the time of registration.
- You’ll be provided with a set of course material after registration. You’ll have to self-study this material for a minimum period of 15 days. Following this, send a request for two specially designed test papers from and also inform about your schedule for submission of the papers.
- Submit the answer sheets of the test papers to the concerned office. You’ll get your certificate if you pass the test papers.
In the case of the Orientation Course, you’ll need to follow a similar procedure.
You can choose to
- attend all the classes or
- appear in two test papers of 3 hours each after a period of 15 days from the date of registration.
If you choose option (b), the programme organising unit (POU) will contact the Director of the Board of Studies to get the test papers.
Also, keep in mind that if you qualify for such exemption, you’ll have to submit proof. The procedure of this is the same as in the case of the Course on Information Technology.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the registration process for ICITSS is quite straightforward. Also, the syllabus is designed in such a way to give you good command over information technology. As well develop your personality to succeed in the professional domain. Additionally, ICAI recognises the needs of differently abled students. As such, ICAI allows exemptions for such students as shown above.
