- Hi, I am Satchi Awasthi. My CA journey has not been extremely challenging (thankfully).
- But it has surely helped me evolve as a more focused and dedicated human being.
- After 1.5 years of articles at a CA firm, I chose to pursue CA industrial training at the fantastic Tata Steel!
- Here is why I chose industrial training and how I got accepted at Tata Steel.
Deciding to pursue Chartered Accountancy
Early in life, I realized that I wanted to be a chartered accountant, as I always wanted to work in taxation and the finance sector.
Also, the amount of respect and determination one gets to witness as a chartered accountant is amazing (in my opinion).
Needless to say, I was good at academics and loved numbers. So, yes, this was another major reason to pursue chartered accountancy.
In 2016, I enrolled in the ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India), and thus my CA journey began!
From passing CPT easily to failing in the IPCC
My CA journey has not been extremely challenging (thankfully), but it has surely helped me evolve as a more focused and dedicated human being.
CA-CPT just went by like a breeze, as I had appeared for it immediately after taking my higher secondary exams.
Like most students, I passed my CPT (first-level CA exam) on my first try!
When it was time for the next level of CA-IPCC, I cleared Group 1 in the first attempt but failed Group 2.
Obviously, I was disheartened, but I knew this was just a part of my journey, so I quickly picked myself up and moved on.
Since I had cleared CA-IPCC Group 1, I was allowed to start with my articles while simultaneously preparing for Group 2.
Working and studying together was a tough challenge!
Luckily, I cleared CA-IPCC Group 2 on my second attempt.
Starting with my CA Articles
It was time to decide on a firm for my articles.
My friend and I got to work and researched a lot about various firms on Google and LinkedIn (like most millennials).
My aunt, who is a chartered accountant, was also a guiding light for me…She helped me acknowledge which firms would give me overall knowledge and exposure.
Also, doing articles at the Big 4 was never my intention; my goal was to gain broader experience in various departments (such as statutory audit, ROC, taxation, GST, and so on).
So, my only criteria when choosing a CA firm for my articles was to get varied exposure along with a good office culture that could make me fit into every challenge that I would have to face in the future.
I applied to SDP & Associates, a mid-sized CA firm, and got selected.
Luckily, this firm helped me get good exposure to GST, statutory and internal audit, and Income Tax-related matters. It gave me a lot of clarity and groomed me well.
Did I feel under-confident as compared to my friends doing articles at the Big 4? Not at all! I was doing similar work as my friends at the Big 4. So, this never lowered my self-confidence. However, I always kept myself updated and made an effort to learn from them.
Extra Tip: I truly feel one should always go with his or her inner voice, whether their goal is knowledge of a specific department or knowledge of all types of work.
Having a family member, some friends, or a senior mentor can be of great value! However, be very particular about who you choose as your mentor, as they can either motivate or demotivate you.
Deciding to switch to Industrial Training
Initially, I had no desire to opt for industrial training.
However, after completing 1.5 years of my articles (in total, CA articles are for 2.5 years), I realized I would want to work in the industry in the future.
Also, in my 1.5 years at a CA firm, I had gotten a lot of exposure to the kind of work handled by a CA firm, and by now I was ready to be on the other side, the client’s side.
I also realized that industrial training would give me an advantage after I became a CA because it would expose me to both a CA firm and the industry.
And all of these factors motivated me to opt for industrial training.
How did I begin looking for CA Industrial Training vacancies?
I began my search after 1.5 years of articles training at a CPA firm. I was comfortable moving out of Kolkata.
I came across vacancies for industrial training through ICAI’s website and applied to several openings. I got selected at Mondelez India Foods Private Limited, Aditya Birla Capital, and ITC, as well as Tata Steel Kolkata, Yes Bank, and Indian Oil Kolkata.
Out of all, I preferred Tata Steel, as I was always inclined towards manufacturing plants.
After applying for the same, I was scrutinized in the interviews and luckily chosen for the position at Tata Steel.
Extra Tip: I would like to advise all those interested in pursuing industrial training to start searching for industrial training 6-7 months before their due date of completion.
How did I prepare for the interview at Tata Steel?
Before going for the interview, I did the following preparation:
- I studied the background of TATA Steel’s business, its major stakeholders, products, and its ideologies.
- I also researched subject-specific questions about the steel manufacturing industry.
- The most important of all was going over my own resume; I say this because the first question I was asked was about one of the clients I had audited during my articles.
- I was also ready with my set of questions for the interviewer, one of which was ‘How much study leave will I get to prepare for my CA final exams’
It is only in these tough times that we get to know our real strengths and determination capabilities; thus, CA is a journey of hard work, and one should never back off from it only because of long, tiring hours of work or studies.
Interview process at Tata Steel for Industrial Training
My interview at TATA Steel was a learning session too, as it also taught me a lot of things that I was not aware of before.
My aptitude and Excel skills were also tested. It was one of the most gentle and encouraging interview panels I had witnessed to date!
The interview process consisted of two rounds as follows:
1. HR round
- During the HR round, I was evaluated on my soft skills as well as my attitude toward working late hours during quarter ends. This round lasted about half an hour.
- I would suggest everyone be very clear and focused while answering these questions. The HR department evaluates our approach to their organization primarily through these questions.
2. Meet with the appropriate department. Chief Financial Controller and Head Executive
- My next round was with the department’s Chief Financial Controller and Head Executive Panel.
- This interview lasted for about an hour or so.
- In this round, I was tested on my academic background and the experience I gained through my articles.
- Various application-based questions were asked pertaining to TATA Steel’s work area.
Extra Tip: Always discuss study leaves during the interview. This is very important! Tata Steel offered me the maximum number of days of leave. Thus, this was another reason that compelled me to choose TATA as my training organization.
How is Industrial Training different from CA articles?
CA Industrial Training is not like articles in many ways.
During CA articles, we audit many entities and also get an insight into how they work, but industrial training is a self-evolving process that makes you a master of that subject and industry norms.
You also get a complete insight into how an industry operates from scratch.
Tata Steel’s Industrial Training has helped me grow as a person even more.
Learnings from my CA Industrial Training
So far, these are my discoveries:
- I have learned how to conduct meetings and put forward my views.
- During my training, I participated in events like the Disability Meet, Ethics Day, etc., which made me learn how professionals manage both work and small social sessions during their busy schedules. It taught me to balance official work and social work simultaneously.
- I was also a part of an e-library project that was headed by the executive in charge of our department. Thus, apart from learning new accounting software, valuing time, and knowing the ins and outs of the steel business, it also helped me learn tricks for balancing my life once I became a professional.
Balancing CA Final studies during CA Industrial Training
Well, during my industrial training, there were pressure periods as well as lean periods.
My supervisors at work were very supportive of my studies, so I was able to balance my studies and work very well.
While pursuing CA finals, one usually receives only a few days of study leave. I was given a leave for 2.5 months.
Even though one does not get many holidays in IT, I am truly blessed to have such seniors who always motivate me. thus making it easier for me to cope with my studies and work simultaneously.
Wrapping up
Industrial training plays a major role in choosing your career options once you pass CA. So, rather than being drawn to higher pay or the last option available, choosing the right industry is critical!
My advice to anyone looking for CA Industrial Training is to pick an industry that interests you.
It is also not necessary to pass CA-IPCC on the first try or to complete articles from a Big 4 to be selected for CA Industrial Training.
The most important thing is your skills and knowledge of the subject, and of course, your desire to learn and adapt.
A good organization would always prefer knowledgeable candidates to those who are busy making their first attempts. So, do not let anything or anyone stop you!
