What if you have not cleared CA Final in first attempt, not got a rank....
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Coming to today’s video
What if you dont clear CA in first attempt, with rank, articleship from Big 4...........
I was addressing a batch of students who would take the CA Finals exams in either May'25 or Nov'25
A common query was about first attempt, Rank, Big 4 articleship, amazing English to crack the GDs - what if they don't happen?
The counter to this was that the path from A to B is not always linear - it can be multiple patterns of detour
a) Playing it like a Test Match
Join a fairly stable company who doesnt want high fliers and play the game like a Test Match - with infinite patience - then with passage of time, the system starts accepting you as one of their own - in Babu companies, the rewards increase disproportinately once you become one of their own - in 10-15 years, you can start enjoying these supernormal returns. We had published a study of Kolkata CFO salary which stands testimony to that. Am sure similar data will exist for Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai as well
Caveat
Not everyone has the skill to survive on the pitch of such companies. You have to often act dumber than your usual self so that your bosses and babu appear brighter in each and every dicussion. If you cannot subjugate the self, dont join
b) Godfather/Godmother
This requires someone powerful in the system to like you and want to uplift you in career- and if they decide, you can become CFO of a unicorn by age of 30. You can check the folks who become Executive Assistants/Chief of Staff to senior folks though Finance Leadership Programs and fast track their careers
Caveat
Moods swings of Godfather can be quite dangerous . If you are on the wrong side of them, you are out of the organisation
c) MBA
If you clear CA without ranks , Big 4 etc, the next best way is to get an MBA from a marquee B-schools in India or abroad.
Caveat
MBA has become fairly costly. Plus 1/2 years of opportunity cost. You need guts to go for it. Plus the ability to crack CAT/GMAT and sail through the SOPs/Interview. Often rattofication CAs may feel throttled by it
d) Industry Experience
Want to join Marico/Asian Paints and dont have a rank. Join a company in same sector- Emami Varun Beverages or Berger Paints and join Marico/Asian Paints after 3 years. Specific industry experience makes you 'plug n play' . Hence they forget all ranks and all
Caveat
Needs some patience to date Priya in the hope of marrying Pooja some day. Play that game well
e) Brand - Big 4
Joining a Big 4 firm can bring that polish of branding on your CV- large listed clients, sophistication and the personality enhancement that consulting forces you to undergo. After 2 years in Big 4, you can approach the world with your head held high and ride the wave
Caveat
Dont overextend your stint in Big 4 . We at cajobportal.com have found it difficult to place candidates who have 5+ years in Big 4 into Industry - the client says that dont have execution experience
f) Source/Nepotism
Maybe unfair as it sounds, in an over-populated country where getting anything worthwhile is so beset with competition, applying a jack here/there is often fair. Often an interview call is all you need - if someone senior recommends you - you will get a call. You have a second attempt but say, if my wife Sonia Singal tells the HR that she likes this candidate, they often consider , given the long standing relatipnship. That little reference is all you need
Caveat
Dont wear your heart out and tell the world that you have applied source. They will ridicule you out of jealousy. Just say it happened randomly.
g) Networking
Nothing beats networking - most jobs beyond INR 30-40 lacs LPA are circulated in a close network. So after a few initial years, its your bosses, ex-colleagues who often give you the leads for change. "I am building my team. You are a known devil. Will you join?" that is how the conversation happens . Make sure you gain that trust
Caveat
If you are unlucky - you will get bad bosses in your initial jobs. Whats the point of building that trust :(
h) Luck
Nothing beats luck. If the stars and planets are aligned, you will get opportunities that defy all filters. The company was desperately seeking a candidate to fill a replacement and you were out of job- willing to join immediately. Your boss suddenly resigned and the promoter thought he can get the work done at 50% cost through you
Caveat
Luck moves in cycles - If you have the period of Sheshnag Kaal Sarp Dosh, Rahu Mahadasha, Jupter Mahadhsa, nothing doing. Just have to patiently move through this phase
i) Shaadi
On the lighter side, through merit you can become the CFO of a company. Through marriage, you can become the owner of that company. See if you can go to the same B-school where the promoter's kid goes- fall in love- get the company as a gift
Caveat
Becoming a 'ghar jamai' can hit the ego . Also not easy to handle the mood swings of someone born with a silver/golden spoon. Subjugate the self.
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