Shilpi Jain ACCA is the lead mentor of the ACCA Program at The Wall Street School. If you’re planning to pursue ACCA and want the right guidance from day one then knowing who’s behind your course matters a lot. At The Wall Street School the person leading the entire ACCA program is Shilpi Jain ma’am. She is not just a qualified ACCA from the UK but also someone who has been guiding ACCA students for over 9 years. She was even a UK Topper in the Tax paper during her own ACCA journey.
Today she has over 18 years of corporate experience and has been guiding ACCA students for more than 9 years. She has already mentored more than 5000 students and now leads both the ACCA and CMA programs at The Wall Street School. Her main focus is to guide students to plan their journey well and make sure they’re always moving in the right direction.
We spoke to her recently to understand more about ACCA as a career and how students can make the most of it. Here are some highlights from that conversation.
Below is a transcript of our conversation with Shilpi Ma’am –
Q1. Ma’am with your experience of mentoring thousands of ACCA students what do you feel makes this qualification so unique?
The best thing about ACCA is that it opens up global opportunities while being completely doable from India. It is structured in a way that students from different stages can start whether they are in school, college or already working. It also covers various aspects like audit finance taxation and management which makes it very versatile.
Q2. Since you don’t teach directly but lead the program how do you ensure the students get the best support?
I work closely with the faculty team to make sure each subject is being delivered the way it should be. We regularly take feedback from students and tweak things when needed. Apart from that I personally mentor my students and even take one-on-one mentoring sessions on planning their paper combinations exam timelines or career-related doubts. So even though I don’t teach in class I stay connected with the students throughout their journey.
Q3. What should students keep in mind before choosing an ACCA coaching institute?
Don’t just look at who’s teaching. Look at the overall structure, the mentorship, the planning support and how invested the team is in your success. I remember one student who joined us after clearing two papers from another institute. She told me no one had ever explained the exemptions benefit to her. She had no idea she could have saved time and money by applying for it earlier. That’s why I say it’s not just about the syllabus. A good institute should guide you at every level from registration to placement.
Q4. You’ve mentored over 5000 students now. What’s your biggest advice to someone just starting their ACCA journey?
The first thing I always tell new students is to stop thinking of ACCA as just a list of 13 papers to clear. It’s much more than that. It’s a professional qualification that builds your thinking, your confidence and your understanding of how real businesses work. If you treat it like a race to the finish line you’ll miss the value it actually brings.
My advice is to stay consistent. Even if you can study only two hours a day, just do it regularly. Students often worry too much about how fast others are going but trust me speed doesn’t matter as much as discipline. I’ve seen average students with good time management perform way better than toppers who lost focus mid-way.
Also don’t hesitate to ask questions. Whether it’s about a technical concept or something basic like which paper to attempt next, ask early and ask often. Students who stay connected and reach out for help at the right time usually do far better than those who try to figure everything out alone.
Lastly, don’t get discouraged if things feel overwhelming in the beginning. That’s completely normal. ACCA is a step-by-step process. Focus on the paper in front of you, give it your best and trust the journey.
Q5. What kind of questions do students usually come to you with and how do you guide them?
Students usually have a lot of doubts in the beginning and even mid-way through the course. Some common ones I get are:
- Should I start ACCA after 12th or wait till graduation?
I tell them it’s better to start early if they are sure about ACCA. The sooner they begin the faster they finish and start working. - What exemptions will I get based on my current qualification?
I go through their mark sheets and background to check what exemptions apply and whether taking them makes sense based on their comfort with those subjects. - Can I do ACCA along with college or another job?
Yes many students do. But it needs planning. I help them make a practical study plan that fits their schedule. - How many papers should I take in one attempt?
Depends on the student. Some can handle two papers per sitting while others should stick to one. I help them figure it out based on their routine and past scores. - How do I prepare for job interviews as an ACCA student or affiliate?
I guide them to focus on their articleship experience, practical knowledge and mock interview practice. - What is the difference between ACCA and CA or CMA?
I explain the course structures career scope and difficulty level in simple terms so they can decide based on their strengths. - Is ACCA valid in India or only for abroad jobs?
I answer them that it is valid in India too as more companies are now hiring ACCAs for roles in audit taxation and FP&A. I even connect students with alumni working in these roles.
Q6. From your years of experience mentoring students, what do you think is often missing in the way ACCA is delivered at other institutes?
One thing I’ve noticed is that students are often left to figure things out on their own once the classes are over. Whether it’s doubts about which paper to take next or how to approach a job interview, very few places provide proper hand-holding. At The Wall Street School we’ve made sure that our students always have access to mentors whether it’s for academic clarity or career planning. That bridge between learning and execution is what we focus on most.
Q7. What sets the ACCA program here at The Wall Street School apart in terms of structure and support?
We don’t treat it like a bunch of recorded classes. Every batch is monitored closely. Students have live online sessions, get access to regular progress tests and full-length mocks conducted on the official CBE practice platform. This gives them confidence and comfort with the actual exam format.
In fact, these regular progress checks and mock exams are a core part of our training. We use the official CBE environment to prepare students so they walk into the exam hall fully confident and familiar with the format.
We also follow a modular study plan and provide handwritten notes, revision sessions, and weekly tests. Every student gets regular performance feedback. We also hold 1:1 mentoring sessions whenever needed.
Q8. What support do students get beyond ACCA classes?
We don’t believe in just teaching and leaving students on their own. Under the integrated ACCA course, students also learn financial modeling, Excel and other value-adding tools that help them stand out during placements.
The idea is that once students clear the Skill level, they don’t need to wait to finish all 13 papers before applying for jobs. With financial modeling and other practical tools, many of them start applying for finance roles much earlier and begin earning while continuing with their ACCA journey.
We also provide 100% placement assistance which includes resume building, job applications and mock interview support. Since I also head the CMA program, I make sure that our support is complete from helping students select the right papers to preparing them for the job market. Our goal is to guide students at every step.
Before You Take the Leap – A Note from Shilpi Ma’am
If you’re thinking about building a career in finance ask yourself this: Do I want a qualification that is globally respected and gives me the flexibility to work across roles and industries? If yes then ACCA is the best choice for you.
It’s not just about clearing exams. It’s about building clarity, confidence and a real foundation for a long-term career. Whether you’re starting out or trying to switch tracks ACCA can help you find direction and stability.
And the good news is you don’t need to have it all figured out right now. That’s what mentors are for.
Got Questions? Ask Shilpi Ma’am Directly
Still exploring ACCA? Confused about exemptions planning or career scope? Or wondering how CMA compares? You can now reach out directly to Shilpi Ma’am for guidance shilpi.jain@thewallstreetschool.com Thanks for sharing such practical insights Shilpi Ma’am. Since you also head the CMA program at The Wall Street School we look forward to hearing your views & insights on the CMA program in our upcoming interview as well.
