- Can a 40-year-old plus do CA or study further?
- Pursuing studies in your 40’s can be challenging as it comes with a lot of responsibilities and family obligations.
- In fact: In this article, Anita Kapdi shares with us her journey pursuing Chartered Accountancy at the age of 48 and clearing the CA examinations at the age of 52.
- Anita started her CA journey from ICAI (The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) at the age of 48.
- Here is her story?
Table of Contents
My Journey Pursuing Chartered Accountancy at the age of 48
I am presently living in Gujarat (India) but I was born and raised in Mumbai (India).
To start from the beginning, I was a typical city girl- always on the go.
I completed my graduation in commerce from the most renowned Commerce college in Mumbai NM College and Law from Government Law College.
I got married at the age of 22 and settled in the milk city of India, Anand (Gujarat).
After moving to Gujarat I took up teaching and here started my teaching career.
I started as an Art and Craft teacher in a CBSE school and soon discovered a passion for teaching – especially Mathematics.
When the Commerce stream was started in our school, I got an opportunity to teach Accountancy. Meanwhile, for professional advancement, I completed B.Ed. and M.Com.
I was quite satisfied with my job which had always provided opportunities for growth.
I had already completed 23 years in the teaching profession and saw myself retiring from the same.
But destiny had other plans for me.
Deciding to Pursue CA from ICAI
Two of my brothers are Chartered Accountants and one is an MBA. So my father who himself is a Company Secretary would often say that he had done me a ‘DISFAVOUR’ by not allowing me to pursue Chartered Accountancy.
Though I was very happy with my present life, I thought what if I could present my Dad with my CA degree on his 75th birthday.
The thought stayed on and as luck would have it – ICAI announced Direct Entry Route for registering for the Chartered Accountancy course.
I took it as a positive sign and immediately registered for the CA course in September 2012 at the age of 48.
To be a Chartered Accountant from ICAI, India, one needs to clear 3 levels of exams:
- CPT: First level. You have to give this exam if you register for the CA course before graduating. Since I was a graduate I directly had to give only the next two levels.
- IPCC: Second level exam. This consists of 2 groups – Group 1 & 2. Each group has 3/4 subjects.
- CA Final: Last level of CA exam and has again 2 group – Group 1 & 2. Each group has 3/4 subjects
- 3 years of articleship training: This starts after you clear IPCC, either both groups or anyone of them.
CA IPCC Exams
Preparing for IPCC (2nd level CA Exam consisting of 2 groups, Group 1 & Group 2) proved to be more challenging than what I had anticipated.
I did not know where to begin from and whom to ask for guidance. I decided to go for self- study and not join any coaching class or private tuitions.
The Study material provided by the ICAI proved to be my lifeline.
I appeared for both groups of IPCC in May 2013 and cleared in the first attempt with good marks.
CA Final Exams
My attempt for the CA Final exams was due in May ’15 but just 10 days before the exams my Mother In Law passed away. So, I had to forego the attempt for family commitments and even social commitments.
I appeared for both the groups in November 2015 but could clear only CA Final Group – 1 exam.
I reappeared for CA Final Group – 2 in May 2016 and qualified finally.
I was now a proud Chartered Accountant (CA) at the age of 52.
Challenges That I had to Overcome During my CA Journey
Besides articles and clearing the exams, to qualify as a CA, a candidate is required to undergo several training programmes such as ITT, GMCS I and GMCS II.
I had to travel to bigger cities like Ahmedabad or Vadodara for the same. Though it was stressful, it gave me an opportunity to make new friends almost half my age. It was fun sharing the classrooms with them.
Maintaining a balance between family responsibilities and personal aspirations was a real challenge.
Articleship had its own challenges. I was the oldest student in the firm; had a household to run.
During this period from September 2012 to June 2016, on the personal front too a lot of things were happening in my life like:
- The marriage of our elder daughter – Surbhi (MD Homoeopathy)
- The engagement of our younger daughter – Anshul (Architect) a
- And Class X boards of our son – Paawan were major milestones.
Despite all these challenges, I NEVER HAD A DOUBT about my success.
I NEVER BOTHERED about the low passing percentage or number of attempts normally required to adorn oneself with this qualification.
I enjoyed the learning process and was never overly stressed out.
Contrary to the common belief, I enjoyed family outings, movies, etc. during my preparations.
Last but the most important factor in my success is strong family support.
My husband, Shyam, a doctorate in Renewal Energy Sources from IIT Delhi, has SET AN EXAMPLE for other men by encouraging me for an extraordinary endeavor which is quite rare even today.
He firmly believed in my right to fulfill my dream and extended his whole-hearted support.
Real-Life Challenges of Qualifying as a Chartered Accountant at the age of 52
The real problems started after I qualified and decided to join this profession.
Most of the people I approached appreciated my efforts but were skeptic about my ability to work in the field.
It was subtly suggested that I should enjoy the laurels of my achievements and go back to teaching.
I took it as a challenge and persisted in my search for a job as a CA fresher at the age of 52.
Once again luck intervened and out of blue, I got a job in Management Audit department of KC Mehta & Co, Chartered Accountants in Vadodara (India). I worked here for a few years and realized that I am ready for a new challenge.
My new challenge was to start my own CA Firm. However, it did start to get difficult and challenging.
Presently I am associated with a leading Chartered Accounting firm in India, CNK and Associates LLP.
In Conclusion…
Each day I am learning new things. EQUIPPED WITH FAITH IN MYSELF, I AM ALL SET TO SUCCEED.
Age is no barrier if you are motivated.
Now It’s Your Turn…
Have you ever considered pursuing CA or for that matter studying in your 40’s or 50’s?
Do you have a Parent, a friend, a colleague who wants to study but feels age is stopping them?
Encourage and tell them that EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
You can connect to me on LinkedIn at – Anita Kapdi
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Respected Madam, your story is an inspiration for me. I am a Govt. Pry School teacher in W.B. Aged about 45 years and registered my self in CMA Foundation course. I want to join a Pvt. Farm after passing the CMA Final exam and later open my own farm. Your story of life gives some ‘oxygen’ into my dream. Thank you Madam for being an inspirational character.
Regards,
Ajoy Krishna Goswami.
Thank you Ajoy! All my best wishes for your success!!
When you have your goal so clearly set before you, you just need to walk the path the success with focus!!
Respected mam, Your story and your journey of Success to achieved goal inspire me alot …And u creat a standard and make other wrong about age that hamari umar nikal gaye h and all.
if your have passion to achieve something then we achieve our goal without thinking of other ..thank u to inspiring me…
Thank you Ajay for your kind words!
Respected Madam, your story is an inspiration for me.I am also on the same mode as you but bit late you.But going through your story i am sure i will do it.
Thank you Rakeshji!! Of course you will reach the shores once you have opened the sails of your boat! In fact age and experience can be a contributory factor!!
Great Mam !!! Interesting & Inspiring
Thank you so much Hariji…
Thank you Hariji..
This is so inspiring, hats off to you, we’ll done and congratulations !!
Madam, thanks for sharing. Your achievement is a way shower to others
What an inspiring story Maam. I also pursued my dream of becoming a Chartered Certified Accountant and started when i was 36 years old. I wrote my final paper last month (September). I’m currently working as a remote accounting associate for an Accounting Firm based overseas and hope to intern for an Auditing role with a bigger firm next year. Indeed nothing is impossible and age is nothing. We have defied it. I’m so happy to realize that im not alone in this journey. We as women have a right to fulfill our dreams. Thank you so much for sharing this.
This is amazing Angela!!! Kudos to you…pls msg me on chantelle@thecastory.com thanks
So sweet of u maam u brought a new way in my life . I just read ur journey from a teacher to CA . U r a true example of inspiration for those who think homemakers cant do anything. Thanks for your valuable advice.
Thank you for connecting!! Indeed its very heartwarming to know that we are not alone!!
Best wishes for your journey!
Great Madam, From the reading about you, i decided to do the same………..need your bless……..Thanks.
I am really inspired! I’m 42 and I want to pick up where I left off with my dream of being a CA. Truely inspired! It is true that age is a barrier if you let it.
Thank you so much!
You should pursue CA…and continue with your dream. All the best Tshepiso.
Thanks Mam for sharing.. Hope so in coming years I will also be sharing such story. As after being a mother in the age of 30, when my baby was 12 months old I joined CA..and putting my all to clear it..
Wow so proud of you Kajal!!!
You are such an inspiration to me madam. I am 30 now and have a desire to pursue CA. I felt inspired reading your story. Hope things go well.
REspected Madam Your achievement is an eye opener to all professional students to motivate in their pursuit of achieving their goals.
E N ANANTHA narayanan
Coimbatore
Thank you for sharing your details to youth mam. It is highly appreciated that you have given a motivated lesson to new commers as well as demotivated youth as well. Anybody can do if they have spirit or keen focus or a kind of passion or enthasuasism to do or make their dream true. Thank you once again mam.
I am honoured by your kind words! Thank you
Thank you so much Hariji…
Mam your story is really inspiring . Thank you for sharing this with us .can you help me in guiding I am a science student so should I try for becoming a CA it will be good for me or not ??
Marvelous and most inspiring real life experience. Madam’s achievement truly shows human potential is unlimited.
I am at my 50 and would like to complete CA. I am at Middle Management level in a respected PSU. Is there a possibility to undergo Articleship without resigning my current job. I will be hugely grateful for your guidance.
Thanks
Fantastic and most inspiring for me. Myself is Ritesh Mehra, aged 44 years belongs to Delhi. I cleared both the groups of CA-Inter/ PE-II in May 2006 and enrolled for CA Final, but due to family responsibilities and marriage, I could not manage further studies. A pain of not becoming a Chartered Accountant always remain in my mind. However, after reading your real life story, i though age is just numbers. Anybody can do anything in his life. Even becoming CA at 44 is not impossible!!
Thank you madam for such an inspiring real life experience.
Anita ji how you managed ur study and job will you pls share. I am 32 yrs could not complete my Ca final now at present i have small kid And working as a commerce teacher in a private school will you share your details.
Great mam congratulations ??. I was searching for age limit online for CA and found your story. I am 44 and want to continue my studies. I completed MCom when I was 23. I need to revise those concepts from scratch. Will ICAI provide that facility or I need to brush up with basics of intermediate syllabus and then join the course. Please advise. I am inspired by you and want to do CA. I stay in Hyderabad and want to go for online or any college here.
I m age of 35 and i m b.com graduated with hindi medium.. n cfa first level cleared in 2010. Can i go for ca exams.
Of course yes you can Rachana. You will have to give IPCC and CA Final + 3 years of articles. If you need more details write to us at chantelle@thecastory.com happy to help. All the best.
कौतुकास्पद आहे अनिता मॅडम. ✌