‘I encountered failure for the first time during CA course but realised its necessity,’ says Apeejay alumna

Apeejay College of Fine Arts alumna Nishtha Mahajan, who completed chartered accountancy (CA) last year, has joined PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in the audit and assurance team. Passionate about academics, her desire to pursue CA stemmed from her interest in Accounts in school. However, the journey of becoming a CA was not exactly seamless, and yet she remained determined. In an interview, she tells us about the first time she faced failure, shares tips for CA aspirants, and more. Read on:

You are working with PwC now. Is this your first job?

I graduated from college in 2018. After this, I continued my mandatory Articleship for three years following which I cleared the final CA exam in December last year. This is my first job after the exam. While I am working from home now, the experience with the company has been very good so far.

What inspired you to pursue CA?

My father and uncle are CAs, so they were my inspiration. Besides, I did well in Accounts in school and was very interested in the subject. So, I knew CA would be the right career path for me. After doing CA, I did not have to chase jobs, rather they came to me.

CA preparation can be quite exhausting. What kept you motivated?

It is very exhausting, indeed, but in the end, all the hard work was worth it. CA is not something you can do half-heartedly; it requires 100 per cent dedication. The course has three phases. While I did not face any challenges in the first two phases, I had my share of failures in the third phase. This was the first time that I faced a setback. But I thought that was necessary to keep me grounded. I did not give up and completed the entire course. Throughout, I did not lose my focus. I have always set very realistic goals for myself which helped me.

Can you share some preparation tips for CA aspirants?

 *You will have to put your heart and soul into the preparation.

*Plan your time well and learn to prioritise.

*Revised all the subjects three-four times so that you have a proper grasp of the concepts.

*Choose your optional subjects wisely.

*Practise the sums thoroughly. Only reading will not help.

Take us through your journey at ACFA.

My best friend, who completed her schooling at Apeejay, gave me very good reviews. So, I thought of taking admission at Apeejay College of Fine Arts to pursue BCom. My time at college was enriching. The professors were very helpful and encouraged us to pursue CA. I used to attend college and then go for my CA Articleship. The teachers were very supportive.