
23rd April, 2025
CA Exam Test Series
India’s Most Successful CAs: The Top 10 Wealthiest Professionals
Table of Contents
Wealthiest Chartered Accountants in India: In India, the Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification is a symbol of intelligence, perseverance, and professional excellence. While many pursue CA to secure a stable and respectable career, some CAs have broken the mold - become industry leaders, investors, and billionaires.
Let’s delve into a list of India’s most successful and wealthiest CAs who prove that the CA prefix isn’t just a qualification; it’s a launchpad to extraordinary success.
Top 10 Wealthiest and Most Successful CAs in India: Overview
S.no |
Name |
Estimated Net worth |
Role/Company |
1 |
Kumar Mangalam Birla |
$21 Billion |
Chairman, Aditya Birla Group |
2 |
Deepak Parekh |
$ 5.84 Million in 2024 |
Former Chairman, HDFC Ltd. |
3 |
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala |
$ 5.8 billion (at the time of his death) |
Legendary Investor |
4 |
Motilal Oswal |
$1.8 Billion |
Chairman, Motilal Oswal Financial Services |
5 |
Naina Lal kidwai |
$ 50 Million |
Ex-Country Head, HSBC India |
6 |
Nirmal Jain |
$1 Billion (estimated) |
Founder, IIFL Group |
7 |
Radhe Shyam Agrawal |
$ 1.6 Billion |
Co-Founder, Emami Group |
8 |
V. Mohandas Pai |
$ 1.04 Million |
Ex-CFO, Director at Infosys, Aarin Capital |
9 |
N. Manoharan |
$ 5 million (estimated) |
Former Chairman, Canara Bank & ICAI President |
10 |
Uday Kotak |
13.8 Billion in 2023 |
Founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank |
Top 10 wealthiest Chartered Accountants (CAs) in India
Let’s dig deep into a list of India’s most successful businessmen who have not only achieved financial prowess but also achieved the esteemed status of Chartered Accountants. Check out the below list of the top 10 wealthiest Chartered Accountants in India.
Kumar Mangalam Birla (Net worth $21 Billion)
Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla is one the wealthiest Chartered Accountant in India, not just chairman of the formidable Aditya Birla Group but also a billionaire Industrialist and Philanthropist, contributing to causes such as health and education for the less privileged.
He holds the prestigious title of a Chartered Accountant and has an MBA degree from London Business School. His net worth makes him one of the wealthiest people in India.
Deepak Parekh
Deepak Parekh is one of the wealthiest Chartered Accountants in India and the chairman of the HDFC Group which is a leading housing finance company. Under his leadership, HDFC became India’s largest housing finance company, which provides millions of Indians access to affordable home loans.
Parekh has worked at Ernst & Young in London, Grindlays Bank, and Chase Manthan Bank as its assistant representative for South Asia.
Beyond his corporate role, Parekh is actively involved in policy-making and has served on various advisory committees, contributing to India’s economic development.
A man with a mission, Mr. Parekh’s philosophy on Corporate Social Responsibility is simple yet profound. He believes that if a company earns, it must also return to the society and that companies owe a responsibility not just to shareholders, but also to their stakeholders.
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala ($5.8 Billion as of December 2021)
Known as the “Warren Buffett of India”, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala was a legendary investor who started with a capital of Rs. 5000/- in 1985 and built a massive portfolio over the years in companies like Lupin, Titan, and CRISIL. With his stock market acumen and wealth creation strategies, he inspired millions of retail investors.
With a reputation as an “Investor with a Midas Touch” Jhunjhunwala and his achievement is a perfect example of the significant impact CA can make in the realm of wealth creation.
Motilal Oswal
Motilal Oswal, Founder and Managing Director of Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd and is among the India’s Wealthiest Chartered Accountants.
Oswal has received “Rashtriya Samman Patra” award from Government of India, for being among the highest income taxpayers for a period of 5 years from 1995-1999. Also he received “Excellent Business Achievers in Financial Services” award from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
Under his leadership, the firm became a cornerstone of India. Motilal Oswal is not only the wealthiest CA in India but also one of a most respected CAs in India.
Naina Lal kidwai
Naina Las Kidwai was the first Indian women to graduate from Harvard Business School, breaking significant barriers in the corporate world.
She was the former president of the federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and also the Group General Manager and country head of HSBC India.
She also has been recognized with the Padma Shri award for her contributions to trade and industry. Her financial capability and social causes make her unique and wealthiest Chartered Accountant in India.
Nirmal Jain
Nirmal Jain is the chairman and founder of India Infoline Group (IIFL), a financial conglomerate offering services in wealth management, loans, and securities.
He is not only wealthiest Chartered Accountant but also a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
He completed his post-graduation from IIM, Ahmedabad, embarked his career in 1989 with Hindustan Unilever Limited. His journey shows the significant impact that CA can have in the business and financial domain.
Radhe Shyam Agarwal
Radhe Shyam Agrawal, renowned CA and country’s most prominent entrepreneurs who is the co-founder and executive chairman of the multifaceted Emami Group and director of Zandu Realty.
His Entrepreneurial vision has been central to Emami’s growth into a household name in India.
He had done his graduation from Kolkata’s St. Xavier’s College, along with pursuing LLB and M.Com from Calcutta University. He holds the titles of Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary.
Radhe Shyam Agarwal is actively involved in charitable activities, including in healthcare, education, and rural development.
N. Manoharan
He served as a former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Also he was the ex-chairman of Canara bank, which is the fourth-largest public sector bank in India.
In 2009, N. Manoharan was appointed as one of the six representatives of the Indian government on the Satyam Computer Service board, where he contributed to the company’s restructuring after a scandal.
In 2010, Manoharan was awarded the Padma Shri award as India’s Fourth-highest civilian honor.
His journey is a perfect example that true wealth lies in reputation and wealth.
Uday Kotak ($13.8 billion in 2023)
Along with CA degree he also has an MBA degree from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. He is the founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank, one of India’s leading private sector banks.
He began his entrepreneurial journey in 1980s by establishing a finance company, which later evolved into Kotak Mahindra Bank in 2003, the First non-banking financial company in India to receive a banking licence.
As of April 2025, Uday Kotak holds the position of wealthiest banker in India.
Conclusion: From Calculators to Billion-Dollar Conglomerates
Chartered Accountants can prove that the CA profession is not just about balance sheets and tax returns, but with vision, courage, and strategic thinking, they can become a billionaire industrialist, a stock market legend, or a global business leader.
Whether you are aspiring CA or a CA professional, their stories are not only inspiring but also show that the sky isn’t the limit — it’s just the beginning.
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FAQs
Is CA a tough course?
Yes, CA exam is considered one of the toughest exams due to its vast syllabus, practical training, and difficulty level. However, it is achievable with hard work, dedication, and consistent practice.
Can a CA become entrepreneur?
Of course, many of India’s Top CAs have successfully launched their own companies, consultancies, or investment ventures.
Can a CA work abroad?
Yes, CA can work in abroad because of high demand. They can work in countries like UK, Canada, Australia, and so on.
What is the salary of a CA fresher in India?
A CA fresher can earn from 6-10 lakhs per annum depending on the firm and profile. However, with experience, it can go up to 20 lakhs per annum.
Do all wealthy CAs works in finance or accounting?
No, many wealthy CAs have diversified into stock markets and investments, banking and Entrepreneurship, Corporate leadership.
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