The Indian Civil Accounts Service
(ICAS) is one of the ‘Group A’ services created in 1976 to provide accounting
and auditing services to the Government of India. It functions through the
Indian Civil Accounts Organisation under the Ministry of Finance. This article
provides information on the roles and responsibilities, pay scales,
probationary period and career prospects of ICAS.
Roles and
Responsibilities:
The Indian Civil Accounts Service
(ICAS) fulfils the following functions:
- Development of processes,
systems and forms related to government accounts of the Union of India and
the states.
- Framing and optimisation of
manuals, rules and procedures for accounting of receipts and payments
according to Government Accounting Rules, 1990.
- Preparation of monthly and
annual account statements along with periodic audits of revenue, deficits
and borrowings.
- Monitoring and reconciliation
of cash balances of the Government of India with the Reserve Bank of
India.
- Coordination of management
accounting systems in Civil Ministries along with developing and
implementing human resource augmentation programmes for the service and
allied organisations.
Training
of Probationary Officers:
The Indian Civil Accounts Service
has a three-stage training programme for ICAS UPSC recruits. The following are
the three stages
- ICAS officers undergo initial
training at the National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM),
Faridabad for a total duration of 6 months. This also includes a foreign
country exposure tour.
- The second stage of training is
conducted at the Institute of Government Accounts and Finance (INGAF)
- The third stage of training is
On the Job Training (OJT) in one of the 87 Pay & Accounts offices
spread throughout the country.
Career
Prospects:
- Controller General of Accounts
(CGA) is the highest position in the office of the Department of
Expenditure.
- CGA is supported by ICAS
officers at different levels and grades and their duties are executed as
per the instructions of the Ministry of Finance.
- ICAS cadre officers get the
opportunity to handle accounting and auditing in various ministries.
- Some of the lucrative positions
open for senior-level ICAS cadre officers are Principal Chief Controller
of Accounts, Chief Controller of Accounts, and Controller of Accounts.
SALARY:
|
Sl.No. |
Name of Post/grade |
Pay Scale |
|
1 |
Junior
Time Scale |
Rs.
15,600-39,100 Grade Pay Rs.5,400 |
|
2 |
Senior
Time Scale |
Rs.
15,600-39,100 Grade Pay Rs.6,600 |
|
3 |
Junior
Administrative Grade |
Rs.
15,600-39,100 Grade Pay Rs 7,600 |
|
4 |
Selection
Grade (Non-functional) Junior Administrative Grade (NFSG) |
Rs.
37,400-67,000 Grade Pay Rs. 8,700 |
|
5 |
Senior
Administrative Grade |
Rs.
37,400-67,000 Grade Pay Rs 10,000 |
|
6 |
Principal
Chief Controller of Accounts |
Rs.67,000-79,000 |
|
7 |
Additional
Controller General of Accounts |
Rs.75,500-80,000 |
|
8 |
Controller
General of Accounts |