Becoming Chartered Accountant at 48: My 30-Year Journey

• Are you thinking of quitting CA after facing several failures?
• Hi, I am Dinesh Rathi. On January 16, 2008, I became a chartered accountant at the age of 48.
• Here is my story of determination, resoluteness, and an undying spirit to carve out a niche for myself.

How I began my CA journey

I was born and brought up in a small town, Bhusawal, in Maharashtra (India), with limited resources.

I was a good student in school and always dreamt of becoming a doctor, but because of the high tuition fees, pursuing medicine was ruled out!

Observing my interest in studies, my father encouraged me to prepare for the Chartered Accountancy exams due to its prestige and the promising career opportunities.

Back then (1978), becoming a chartered accountant was considered a great feat, as only a few people managed to clear the exams. I loved challenges, so I decided to go for it.

Also, CA was well known for being one of the most economical qualifications in India, where one could work while studying. Just perfect for me!

And it was here that I began my CA career in 1978.

I kept failing my CA exams

Since I came from a lower-middle-class family, I had a lot of financial responsibilities. I did not have the luxury to focus 100% on “just” studying!

So along with my articles and CA preparation, I helped my dad in his small business, and on certain days, I even gave tuition to earn some extra income!

For a few years, this was my routine: wake up at 4 am, prepare for my lectures, then attend articles, give tuition, and later study for the CA!

All of this left me very exhausted with little time to study, and obviously, I kept failing my CA exams.

A few years later, I completed my CA articles but was still not able to clear my CA final exams!

Working full time and still pursuing CA

Fast forward I got married, and as my family grew (we have three children), so did my responsibilities. The time I could devote to my CA study shrank!

Initially, teaching was the only source of income, but later, I realized I had to hustle a lot more to make ends meet!

That’s when I decided to start a few businesses on the side to earn some extra income, so I started washing milk bags and selling them, trading shirt pieces and spices, etc.

Eventually, I learned the craft of furniture making and started this business (of course while still teaching!).

Luckily, this took off, and life got better financially!

Here’s how my day went: Give accounting lectures, manage my business, and care for my family.

Did I give up on my CA dream in the midst of all this? NO. 

Even after a hectic workday, I would study and prepare for my CA exams every night! My parents, my wife, Shubhangi, and my children supported me in every way they could.

There were days when I would be sitting in the same exam hall as my students, but nothing demotivated me.

I knew CA was a challenge I had accepted and worked hard to give it my all. Nothing else ever bothered me.

Finally qualifying as a CA after multiple attempts

Almost 20 years into my CA journey, in 1998, I was met with an accident and, unfortunately, badly damaged a finger on my right hand! (Even today, it still doesn’t bend.)

Everything came to a standstill, and my dream of becoming a chartered accountant seemed impossible!

It was then that my wife encouraged me to use my left hand to write. It was not easy at all, but somehow, with every passing day, my conviction grew stronger, and I continued with my CA preparation.

After almost 6 years, I was able to use my right hand again!

Meanwhile, I continued to sit for exams, only to fail by a few points! In fact, by now I had even given up checking the exam results!

Finally, on the 16th of January 2008 (the golden day of my life), my phone started ringing.

My youngest daughter, Neha (she was 14 at the time), answered the call. On the other side was a relative (Mrs. Darak) whose son had appeared for the exam along with me.

Here is how the conservation went:

Mrs. Darak: Hello Neha, Is there an elderly person in the house?

Neha: Yes, Dad is there.

Mrs. Darak: Anyone other than him?

Neha: No, it’s only the two of us at home.

Mrs. Darak: “Okay.” no problem. Tc!

Now the relative called up my uncle, who lives in the next building.

Mrs. Darak: Congratulations! Dinesh is a CA now.

Uncle: What? Repeat, please.

(He was waiting for this day for 30 years!)

Relative: Yes! It’s CA Dinesh Rathi. Please go and tell him in person.

My uncle immediately rushed home, asked me to sit down, and gave me a glass of water. They were concerned that I should not get an emotional shock!

“Beta Dinesh, tu CA ban gayo!” Uncle said softly. (Dear Dinesh, you have become a CA!)

As always, I had expected to fail. So when he told me I passed the exams, I couldn’t believe it. I hugged my daughter and started crying.

Everyone was overjoyed, from my wife to my children to my neighbors and even my students…

In conclusion…

Life may look perfect today, but I had my share of challenges. My never-give-up attitude helped me through it all.

No matter what the circumstances, I was not ready to give up.

Giving up was a very easy option, but I wanted to pursue my desire. I wasn’t looking for instant gratification. And I am so glad my perseverance paid off.

My advice to young professionals is that “life is all about the journey and not just the destination.”

Dinesh Rathi has completed 40 years of his teaching career! Now he is an elected municipal corporate and also the author of more than eight academic books. He is more than willing to share his experiences with professionals and CA aspirants.