The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing cathode active material for a lithium secondary battery. The manufacturing method according to the present invention is characterized by including: (1) an intermediate generation process, wherein an intermediate which is powder or a shaped object containing the first material compound which is a compound of the transition metal other than lithium, which constitutes said lithium composite oxide, is generated, (2) a lithium source compound addition process, wherein the second material compound which is a lithium compound is added so that the second material compound in the shape of film may adhere to the surface of said intermediate, and (3) a sintering process, wherein lithium composite oxide is generated by sintering said intermediate in the state where said second material compound has adhered to its surface.