Things that every CA student must know!

No doubt CA is one of the best and toughest course. It not only makes you excel in your own field but it also gets you prepared for the life races. But stereotype thoughts related to CA must be broken and here are few realistic things each one of you must know:

• CA is a degree nothing more nothing less. Don't get into any comparisons with any other degree holder over who is superior because at the end its just a degree & it doesn't define you its your attitude & character which define you. It gives you respect, and unique identity. Its upto you whether you maintain that or not.

•  It is not easier to do practice or job with handsome package after completing CA. After CA your main exam starts for job.

• Every CA must be aware of two things PATIENCE & DISCIPLINE. Both of them will help you lifetime. Before CA & after CA both time.

• You have a particular set of skills which you have acquired while pursuing your course...but there more that you need to learn & you can learn them only if you invest time & effort into them.

• The qualification doesn't ensure a smooth, safe, secure life/career. You will still have to work hard. Harder than the rest. With more students coming towards the profession, the competition is going to increase with every passing day.

• There is a HUGE difference between what we are told we will be while we are pursuing the course & what we may end up being after the course so instead of cribbing about it deal with it.

• The only way to progress is to work hard & continuously evolve. Everybody works hard but the difficult part is to evolve & mind you I did not say update yourself I said "evolve", i.e., learn to see the macro picture & learn to use it to develop yourself so that you are always in the game.

• If you are not good at something find more and more ways to work on it. For eg: If you think you are not good at presentations sit with people who are good at it, surf the internet on how to make an effective presentation, attend training, prepare presentations to show it to an audience even if it requires an excel. In short fight your fear.

• Learn to call a spade a spade diplomatically.

• Clients can be Extremely Smart and Surprisingly Stupid at the same time. They can ask you the toughest questions. Be prepared for that. Also do have the patience to answer their stupid questions more than once.

• Communication skills are a must. Clients won’t come running to you just because you know how to perform an audit. Brush up your communication skills, learn social etiquette. In short learn how to sell yourself, how to market yourself (without breaking professional ethics of course :p).

• Don't count problems find solutions.

• Be Interesting. Just because you are a CA it does not mean you are not allowed to have other interests. It will help you to broaden your horizon.

• Value yourself & stand for WorkLIFE BALANCE.

• EXCEL: It is the most cost effective, time saving audit tool.

• Flowcharts. Design a flowchart for typical scenarios. It will be one time effort. Flowcharts are easy to understand hence they not only increase compliance but also will save time.

Last but not the least NETWORK. Only a good network will help you understand the market & what moves the market.