Articleship Period is the most crucial journey in the path of becoming CA where we get to learn practical implications of what we learn during our CA Intermediate and how the industry works. What kind of firm we choose for our articleship determines the extent of practice exposure.
These are common queries candidates have
Big 4 or Mid Size firm?
How to judge a firm?
How to find an articleship firm?
Tax or Audit?
How to decide the field of articleship?
The objective of this article is to let you know how to judge a firm and how to know articleship openings near my location.
Often students are confused as to whether to go for Big 4 or mid-sized firms. Taking the right guidance is also important. If you are taking advice from anyone, then take it from the person who has proper knowledge about it.
Before choosing a CA Firm for articleship, consider some points which would help you in making the right decision.
Things to keep in mind while choosing an articleship firm
1. Goal
It is an indispensable factor in deciding which type of firm you should go for. Firstly, decide what you want to do in future i.e. job or practice. You must decide this and then search for firms according to your plans.
Students who want to pursue jobs generally go for big firms to gain expertise in the particular field whereas the students who have a plan to start their own practising firm prefer to do articleship in small or mediocre firms.
However, if you wish to set up a firm in a specified domain, you can do articleship from big firms so that you gain specialisation in the same
2. Interest
You should find your interest areas and select the firm accordingly. Suppose you have an interest in Auditing, then prefer those firms which are specialised in auditing which can help you to get exposure to the maximum audit work.
However, if you wish to set up a practice and learn in every domain, choose a firm that would give you exposure in all domains.
3. Working Hours
While joining the audit firm, find out the working hours in the firm. Along with articleship, you have to study for CA Final also. So the working hours should be viable. You can talk to the employees there or find reviews on the internet to know about the working hours.
4. Office Environment
When you visit for the interview, notice the environment of the office. Observe whether corporate culture is being followed or not.
5. Location
It is one of the main factors affecting your choice of articleship firm. Decide the area where you want to do articleship. Your office should not be far away from your residential location.
However, if you have no problem relocating or have enough resources, the location would be no bar.
6. Study Leave
At the end of the day, you have to give your CA Final exam to become a Chartered Accountant. So preparing for exams is also important. Before joining a firm, make sure that the firm provides sufficient study leave for exams.
7. Partners Profile
If partners have a good professional background, then it means that there are chances of having good clients. This implies you are going to have better learning opportunities.
Make sure there are multiple partners in the firm.
8. Types of Clients
Try to find information about the types of clients the firm has. It reflects the policies of the firm. You can know your client size by visiting their website or somebody who has already worked there.
9. Stipend
Though, stipend should not be the deciding factor when choosing an articleship firm. But, check whether the stipend is as per ICAI norms. Some firms don't pay the outstation, client visit expenses. So, find out this otherwise you would have to pay expenses from your pocket.
10. Transfer Policy
It is not an important factor but there are times when things don't get along well with the firm you initially join. And when you ask to transfer to somewhere else, they refuse to give you the transfer. Before joining the firm acquaint yourself with their transfer policy.
How to find a CA Firm?
This is the question that every CA aspirant looking for articleship wants to know. Well, now this has become quite easy.
Visit our site for updates with regard to the latest opening (Click here)
These are common ways to find articleship openings:-
1. ICAI Articleship Placement Portal
It is a great initiative by ICAI to help students to find articleship and industrial training. CA Students can upload a CV on the portal and the firms who want to hire the articles can contact them directly.
Website Link: - Click here
2. Linkedin
Linkedin is indeed a great professional network of job seekers and companies. Firms or articles working therein often post regarding articleship opening, location and location address. In addition to this, prospective articles can connect with recruiters or articles already working there so that they can refer to your resume
Trust me, this would definitely help you
3. Reference
Some of your friends or relatives might be working on your chosen firm, contact them and let them know that you are looking for an articleship.
4. Walk-in-interview
Some of the firms arrange walk-ins to directly recruit candidates without any prior appointment. Candidates should make sure they remain aware of such interviews and attend them.
Notification regarding walk-in interviews can be accessed through LinkedIn
5. Visit ICAI Bhawan of your nearby location
You can also visit the ICAI Branch of your nearby location where firms often post their vacancy. Make sure you visit there and contact them.
Through this article, we tried to put across as to what all factors one should consider while choosing a firm and how to find firms.
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