This is the story of Prakriti, a CA Finalist from Indore. She began her journey in Chartered Accountancy in 2018 while also completing her B.Com. During her articleship at C.P. Rawka & Co., she gained hands-on experience in audits, tax filings, and financial reporting, working with a range of clients including listed companies.

While preparing for her CA exams, Prakriti developed an interest in finance beyond the traditional CA role. She came across investment banking and decided to take a financial modeling course to explore this path further. The course provided her with the skills and confidence to pursue her interest in investment banking.

Today, Prakriti is working at Sparrow Advisory, starting her career in investment banking while still working towards completing her CA. Her story is a great example of how being open to new opportunities and continuously learning can lead to exciting career shifts. Let’s explore more about her journey.

Below is a transcript of her interview with us:

1. Why Did You Choose the CA Path and What Made You Interested in it?

For me, CA felt like the natural choice. It was something I had heard about a lot from my family, so I didn’t really think of looking at other career options because back then, CA felt like the safest and most reliable path in finance.

Now I realize that  there are many good options out there but at that time, CA seemed like the right thing to do. 

2. What are some of the key things you learned during your articleship?

During my articleship at C.P. Rawka & Co., I got the chance to work on a variety of assignments that really helped me build my foundation in finance and taxation. I handled everything from filing income tax and TDS returns to working on statutory and tax audits for clients across different industries including listed companies. I also got to assist in preparing replies to income tax notices, drafting appeals, and even attending meetings with senior officers like the ACIT.

A key experience during my articleship was working on the implementation of Ind AS for a large manufacturing company. It pushed me to learn quickly and apply concepts practically. I also prepared CMA reports, which helped clients secure credit and bank guarantees. Overall, my articleship was a great learning journey and gave me real-world exposure to both the technical and practical sides of the CA profession.

3. What struggle did you face during your CA journey?

My journey to becoming a CA has been one of the toughest yet most transformative experiences of my life. I started off with a lot of motivation and a clear goal, but like many others, I encountered numerous hurdles along the way. Juggling my articleship duties with the demands of CA studies was no easy feat, especially given the extensive syllabus and the relentless pressure to perform well in every exam.

Even after dedicating months of hard work and genuine effort, there were moments when I didn’t pass the exams as I had hoped. Those setbacks were emotionally exhausting and often led me to doubt my abilities and my future. I felt trapped, not due to a lack of effort, but because the outcomes didn’t seem to match the commitment I was putting in.

During this challenging time, I began to explore other career paths within the finance sector. That’s when I got to know investment banking. The more I learned about it, the more it resonated with my interests in business, analysis and numbers. I decided to enroll in a financial modeling course of investment banking, which turned out to be a pivotal moment for me. The course not only equipped me with practical skills but also boosted my confidence and provided me with a fresh direction to pursue.

While I haven’t yet completed my CA qualification, I now feel more secure knowing I have built an alternate path in finance. This journey has taught me that it’s completely OKAY to adapt and look beyond the traditional career path. Exploring new opportunities isn’t a sign of giving up, but a sign of resilience and personal growth.

4. What made you consider investment banking as an alternative career path?

I always knew I wanted to build a career in finance. While preparing for CA, I began exploring different roles in the finance sector and came across investment banking. At first, I didn’t know much about it, but the more I read, the more interested I became. It wasn’t just about numbers but about how companies grow, raise funds, and make strategic decisions. That really excited me.

To be honest, after a few unsuccessful attempts at clearing CA Final, I started to worry about having a backup plan. That’s when I seriously considered investment banking as an alternative career path, so I wouldn’t feel stuck. I enrolled in a course to learn more about it, and it gave me a clear picture of what the job involves. Learning practical skills like valuation and financial modeling gave me the confidence that I could build a career in this space, even while continuing to work toward becoming a CA.

5. How did the investment banking course help you find a job in finance ?

The investment banking course played a big role in helping me land the job at Sparrow Advisory. Before the course, I had a basic understanding of finance from my CA studies, but this course gave me practical knowledge of how real deals work.

I learned how to build financial models, do valuations, and prepare pitch decks. These are the skills that are directly used in investment banking. We worked on real case studies which helped me connect the dots between theory and practical work.

By the time I gave interviews, I could speak confidently about industry concepts and showcase my projects I had worked on during the course. It definitely strengthened my skills to crack the interview at Sparrow Advisory.

Prakriti’s journey, from handling tough tax filings to working towards her CA and exploring investment banking, shows her hard work and determination. Even though she’s faced challenges, she’s staying focused on her goals. Her story is an inspiration for anyone who wants to succeed in finance and explore new opportunities, no matter the hurdles.

You can connect with her on LinkedIn here:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakriti-kabra/