Chartered Accountant quit Big 4 to follow his dream of working at radio station

• Hi, I am Keshav Aggarwal, a qualified chartered accountant who quit his job to chase his dreams.
• At the age of 21, I passed my CA exam on the first try and was working in an amazing profile at a Big 4 accounting firm.
• That’s when I quit my job to pursue my heart’s desire, which is “working at a radio station.”

My journey to becoming a Chartered Accountant

Like any other caring parents, mine wanted me to do something that could help me make some money using my technical skills and have a secure future.

I was 16 years old when my family made a career choice for me: “become a chartered accountant,” but all my life what I wanted to do was work at a radio station!

It had been a dream of mine since forever, and it grew stronger over time. But, I kept it a secret.

CA was a roller coaster ride for me; I worked super hard and fortunately cleared all the Chartered Accountancy exams on my first attempt at the age of 21. If you pursue CA from ICAI, India, you start your CA journey after class 12 and start with articles while still in college, so if you clear all the exams in the first attempt, you can become a CA at 21.

To be a Chartered Accountant from the ICAI, one needs to clear three levels of exams:

• CPT: First level. You have to take this exam if you register for CA before graduating. I registered for CPT after 12th grade.
• IPCC: Second-level Exam. This consists of two groups: Groups 1 and 2.
• CA Final: This is the final level of the CA exam, with two groups—Groups 1 and 2.
• 3 years of article training. This starts after you clear the IPCC, either both groups or any of them.

I got selected for campus placements and later started working in a Big 4 Accounting firm PwC as a Tax Consultant…but still, something was missing.

Taking a leap of faith: Quitting my job to chase my dreams

One day, on a holiday to Dubai, I realized that I had to live my dream of working at a radio station… After all, if I did not, I would regret my entire life.

I grew up listening to and absorbing the radio for more than 10 years. I would often imagine myself interviewing celebrities, running my own radio shows, and wondering what interactions I would have with callers if given the option.

On returning, I quit my job and chased my dream. My parents were super upset with me, but I had to do this for me.

I was hired as an intern by a “radio station,” then transferred to Radio City, Jaipur, as a station content producer, a weekend host, and later at RED FM as a morning show producer… Woohooo! 

RJs who I had only listened to on the radio were now my colleagues.

Sure, the salaries weren’t the same, but the experiences made it all worth it.

Around the time when I was working at the radio station:

• I picked up fitness as a hobby.
• In Jaipur, I started a poetry club called @thepoetryrecitals.
• I worked on an online magazine (CA Diaries) and interviewed more than 50 celebrities.
• I worked on infinite calls and content and learned lessons that no book could teach.

Moving back to my profession: Starting my own CA Firm

Over time the concerns of my family grew, and the idea of earning a better salary overshadowed the need to have a life with fewer needs.

I was called back to look after my Father’s business or work/start a CA practice of my own. It was a very tough decision. I was really upset for days…but I had to attend to family responsibilities as well.

In fact, I also found a better job in radio with a paycheque equating to that of PwC (which is rare) but coming from a ‘typical baniya (a business community in India) family setting’ made it difficult for me.

But no complaints.

I lived some of my greatest years of life celebrating an uncanny saga of many stories, experiences, and learning. Best of all – I have learned that ‘DREAMS DO COME TRUE’. And I have lived my dream even if that means for a short time!

Now I am a practicing Chartered Accountant specializing in Taxation. By the way, did I tell you that Tax is my second love after Radio?

Also, a big lesson learned that nothing in life ever goes to waste. My working in a Radio has helped me open to a new set of clients in the Media field as well. Pursuing my radio dream has helped me here as well….so chase and follow your dreams!

Wrapping up…

Becoming a chartered accountant was great, but that doesn’t mean life is sorted. My life was sorted from the outside, but from within I was still looking for something.

Despite having the best job, what I could not find was satisfaction and joy. So, if you’re having trouble clearing CA (or anything else), remember that even a CA who cleared on the first try might be struggling now.

We all need to give our DREAMS THAT ONE CHANCE before it’s too late….but many a time that would not mean quitting our current job. Do consider if your dream can be achieved while working at a full-time job.

Remember: Your attitude determines your altitude.