CA toppers Interviews

CA toppers Interviews

• CA topper Pawan Sarda (2nd Ranker):
• “Study 100% of portion, solve 100%”
• 
  

• “IF you want to achieve something that you have never before, you have to do something that you never 
  did before. ”Nagpur boy Pawan lives by this mantra and aced his exam by putting in 12 hours of study
  a day and revising 100%of the portions four times.  
  
  
  His track record prior to CA finals could give many a complex. His achievements include: 8th Rank in 
  PCC (May 2010), scored 98 out of 100 marks in Cost Accounting & Financial Management in PCC and 
  2nd Rank in CPT (June 2008) and AIR 6th Rank in CS Professional (Final) Exam (Dec 2010), 23rd Rank 
  in CS Executive Exam (Dec 2009), 16th Rank in CS Foundation Exam (Dec 2008). 
  
  
  Pawan was also a brilliant student in school. In Class 12 (CBSE) he secured the first position in Vidarbha region
  (93.60% marks) and scored full marks in Mathematics. In Class 10, he obtained 2nd highest Marks in India
  (98.20% marks), secured first position in Maharashtra and scored full marks in Mathematics, Science & Sanskrit.
  He shares his success journey with Rozelle Laha. 
  
  
  Fast Facts 
  
  
  Name: Pawan Sarda
  City: Nagpur
  Exam: CA Final Examination- November 2011
  Rank: AIR Second and WIRC topper
  Roll number: 160339
  Marks: 596
  Percentage: 74.50
  
  
  
  
  Q. Congratulations Pawan. What made you pick CA as a career option? 
   A. Thanks! My elder brother is a CA, and has been my inspiration right from beginning. I am also very inspired 

  by my CA tutor Professor DG Sharma. 
  
  
  Q. Tell us about your experience during articleship. 
   A. I have completed the required 3.5 years articleship at VK Surana & Co., Nagpur. Doing an articleship sincerely 

  did help a lot not only in developing technical understanding and conceptual clarity of the subjects we studied

   but also in building the confidence required to handle and sustain pressure situations and managing time effectively.
  
  
  Q. Did the alternate day schedule of CA exams work for you?
   A. Yes, definitely the alternate day schedule helps a lot. If we have one complete day leave before the next 

  paper we can plan the study really well. For each paper I had made 20-hour plans so that the complete portion 

  could be revised within the stipulated time.
  
  
  Q. So, what was your preparation strategy?
  A. I had a single basic strategy – to study 100% of the portion and solve 100% of the paper. The essential 

  part was mental preparation. Once you decide not to give up come-what-may, that determination and 

  persistence takes you through. I planned studies well in advance. My target was to complete at least 

  four readings of each subject before the exams. I set a target to complete the first reading in two months 

  time up to the end of August. 
  
  
  Next I completed the first revision by the end of September. In the first week of October we had Test 

  Series at CAPS (coaching institute) which helped us a lot to find out where we stand and the areas 

  which require special attention. Next I tried to complete another reading (important areas) during 

  the last 20 days before the exams. The exam days were the most crucial ones and I tried and 

  went through the entire portion by following the 20-hour plans.
  
  
  Q. Is coaching important? 
  A. I took coaching for three practical subjects – Accountancy, Financial Management & Costing. 

  For other subjects I had not taken any coaching. I feel that except for the practical subjects, 

  self-study is the way to go. Even if you attend classes, you have to ultimately study the subjects on your own.
  
  
  Q. Do you advocate studying for long hours?
  A. I planned my studies topic-wise. On an average I studied for 12 hours a day. I believe that if you 

  want to achieve something that you have never before, you have to do something that you never did before.
  
  
  Q. Any tough subjects?
  A. Initially, I found Indirect Taxes to be a challenging subject. So, I decided to tackle my fear in the 

  best way I know – face it, convert weakness into strength. In the last 20 days just before the exams,

   I planned to study this subject daily for three hours. In the end I got tremendous confidence and scored 

  the highest marks (86) in this subject! 
  
  
  Q. CA programme is tough. Truth or myth?
  A. It’s not as difficult as it is perceived to be. It is all about holding your nerves. One, who plays the mental 

  game well, is the “king of the ring”. It is very easy to give up but if you hold on and don’t give up at the critical

   moment, success is bound to come. If perceived in the right way CA exams can be enjoyed and success can

   be achieved. If you do not study now, you will have to study later and that too a lot more under much more 

  mental pressure.” So give the best you can in the very first shot and challenge your limits instead of limiting ur challenges.
  
  
  Q. What is your advice to future CA aspirants?
  A. Take your articleship sincerely. A golden mantra is ‘Plan your work and work your plan’. Time management

   is the name of the game. Our Sir always said, try to understand everything and do not memorise anything. 

  Developing conceptual clarity is a very crucial aspect of CA studies.

  
  

  
  

  "No fulltime job for me," says CA topper Pavan(3rd Ranker)

  

  
  

  All India third ranker in the CA Final exam, Pavan Pal Sharma from Bangalore,
  shares  that articleship gives you the confidence in the world of work.
  

  Fast facts:
  Name: Pavan Pal Sharma
  City: Bangalore
  Exam: CA Final Examination- November 2011
  Rank: AIR third and SIRC topper
  Roll number: 107594
  Marks: 589
  Percentage: 73.63
  Graduating college: Sri Kumarans Pre-University College, Bangalore

  
  

  AN All India Rank holder at various levels of the CA programme, Pavan Sharma has done it again in the CA 

  Final Exam! Son of a commerce teacher, Pavan wanted to pursue CA since his school days. Hailing from 

  Bangalore, India’s IT hub, he  was determined to do something other than IT! 

  
  

  He owns an investment banking firm in Bangalore and believes that setting up an organization is far more 

  challenging than taking home a bonus. Pavan, also a topper of Southern India Regional Council (SIRC), ICAI 

  and an advocate of “study smart” rather than “study hard” shares his preparation strategies and future 

  plans with Rozelle Laha.

  
  

  
  

  Q. Congratulation Pavan. When did you decide do a CA?
  

   A. I had decided to do my CA when I was in class 9. CA seemed to be a good option as my father teaches commerce 

  and the subject/course seemed close to my heart.

  
  

  Q. Is this your first big success?
  

   A. After my 10+2, I wrote my CPT examination. I achieved 7th All India Rank (AIR) in that exam (August 2007). 

  I also appeared for CA – PCC exams in June 2009. I acquired an AIR 30 in it.

  
  

  Q. Did you do an articleship?
  

   A. I have done my articleship with Balakrishna & Co., Bangalore for 3 and half years. I was one of the first article 

  assistants of my Principal. I decided to do an articleship with some company where I could actually learn. I got the 

  opportunity of handling good audits, transfer pricing, due diligence and attended a few hearings at the IT offices.

  
  

  Q. Does doing an articleship help?
  

  A. Articleship gives you a practical exposure to what the real world is. What you get to do at a CA’s office is very 

  different from theoretical knowledge. Articleship gives you confidence to face the world. It is an important aspect 

  of our course and that is what sets us apart. And if you get to do your articleship with some good brand, then your

   future is made.

  
  

  Q. You cracked CA finals with a good score in your first attempt. Tell us something about your 
  preparation strategies.
  

  A. I have always stood by the fact that each one need to develop a strategy for oneself. My strategy was to

   “study smart” rather than “study hard” – it always helps. I am firm believer of conceptual learning. That is what

   will save you in those 3 hours of exam. Learning by rote is not a safe option at any level of professional examination

  – especially CA final. I cannot put down my study hours in numbers– all I can say is that I slept, ate and studied.

  
  

  Q. Do you think coaching is important?
  

  A. My tutor always used to say “if you wish to pass – do not come to tuitions. If you wish to become a good CA – 

  then come to tuitions.” I think that would answer most of the questions in a succinct manner. I attended classes for

   four subjects out of eight. I do believe coaching is necessary, but not to the extent that you outsource your thinking

   too. Tuitions aren’t everything.

  
  

  Q. Do you want to continue studying?
  

  A. I wish to pursue a career in Actuarial Sciences – Finance sometime later in the course of my career.

  
  

  Q. You have your own company. Tell us something about your concept of entrepreneurship.
  

  A. I run my own company, Equidebt Corporate Advisors Private Limited. We are investment bankers based

   out of Bangalore. I find it morally pleasing to work for myself than to work for somebody else. I know that 

  if I do go out for employment, I would be able to earn well. But then again, money isn’t everything in life. I 

  wish to take my company to new echelons.

  
  

  Q. Your advice to CA aspirants….
  

  A. My mother once told me, “Exams are only a phase in your life.” I completely agree with her. Getting bogged down

   by pressure due to exams will not get you anywhere in life. Just believe in yourself. You can do anything in this world.