honest feedback

graduating in 2027 - bcom hons at tier 1 college CA finalist ( dropped ca) CFA l1 2 internships at tier 2 companies ( one founder's office and one finance) what can I expect?

reddit.com
u/Different-Pride6894 — 6 days ago
▲ 2 r/IPMATtards+1 crossposts

Aftergrad

  • Is giving cat in third year of college before starting serious preparation and giving it in fourth year idiotic?( just to see and humble yourself / benchmark)
  • Is there a referral code for all access available?
reddit.com
u/Different-Pride6894 — 12 days ago

are books for prep still a thing?

hi, what book would you recommend buying in 10th grade to solve ipmat questions of chapters studied till now?

Plan on getting afterboards all access in 11th grade.

Any tips / suggestions etc?

reddit.com
u/Different-Pride6894 — 22 days ago

how much does ACCA actually move the needle?

Over the last few weeks, I've been looking at placement reports from some pretty reputed BCom colleges, talking to seniors, browsing LinkedIn, etc. The reality seems a lot more sobering than what finance Instagram and LinkedIn would have you believe.

Even at good colleges, the median placements often seem to be somewhere around ₹4–6 LPA, and many well-known firms aren't necessarily paying life-changing money at the fresher level.

Which brings me to ACCA.

A lot of ACCA marketing makes it sound like a direct path to Big 4, MNCs, global opportunities, etc. But I'd love to hear from people actually in the market.

For those who have completed ACCA (or are close to completing it):

  1. How much did ACCA genuinely help with getting interviews and opportunities?

  2. Did it significantly improve your salary prospects compared to a regular BCom graduate?

  3. What kind of roles are ACCA affiliates/members realistically landing in India today?

  4. If you were graduating today, would you still invest the time and money into ACCA?

I think I'm just trying to understand whether ACCA changes the trajectory meaningfully, or whether the first few years are fairly similar for everyone and the difference shows up later in the career.

Would really appreciate honest answers, especially from people already working rather than coaching institutes or marketing pages.

reddit.com
u/Different-Pride6894 — 25 days ago
▲ 5 r/ICAIStudents+1 crossposts

Humbled by this course

looking for honest advice from people who've been through something similar.

I gave CA Foundation right after school (May attempt) and cleared. That success made me very confident, probably overconfident.

I went into Inter with the same mindset. I sat for attempts even when I hadn't prepared properly because I assumed I'd somehow get through. Eventually I cleared Group 2, but I've now given Group 1 three times and still haven't cleared it. May 2026 was my latest (4th) attempt.

At this point I'm seriously considering shifting to ACCA. I've always liked the idea of having a more global qualification, but I can't tell whether that's what I genuinely want or if I'm just exhausted and frustrated with CA.

The bigger issue is that I no longer have any emotional or mental stability when it comes to this course. Every result affects me much more than it should, and I can't shake the feeling that I've wasted a lot of time.

For those who struggled with CA, switched paths, or seriously considered leaving:

What made you stay or leave?

Do you regret your decision?

Am I thinking clearly, or am I just burned out and reacting emotionally?

I'd appreciate honest answers, even if they're hard to hear.

reddit.com
u/Different-Pride6894 — 29 days ago

zell

this subreddit specifically hates on zell a lot, but recently have seen quite a few rankers from them specifically.

I'm planning to give FR, FM and PM next year and am very confused about whether or not giving them a shot would be smart?

reddit.com
u/Different-Pride6894 — 29 days ago

My_qualifications- I’m currently pursuing B.Com from a non-DU tier 1 college in India and will graduate in May 2028. Alongside that, I’ve cleared CA Intermediate (both groups), but it took me 4 attempts. That experience has left me quite burnt out with the CA system, especially the group-based exam structure and the uncertainty attached to it.

As of now, I’m at a crossroads between continuing with CA Final or pivoting towards ACCA.

My original CA plan:

Start articleship in July 2026

Complete 2 years by June 2028

Take study leave and attempt CA Final in May 2029

I understand that CA Final requires:

Clearing SPOM sets before attempting

Completing Advanced IT and MCS training

Strong preparation over a long period, ideally with multiple revisions

My concern here is not about difficulty alone, but about risk vs return. From what I’ve seen and heard:

CA Final has low pass rates and often takes multiple attempts

That could mean 1–2 additional years without income after graduation

There is a real possibility of burnout again

At the same time, I do recognize that:

CA has strong value in India

It opens doors in core finance, audit, and higher-paying roles

But the uncertainty and delayed earning timeline bother me.

My alternative plan (ACCA route):

Start ACCA preparation around late 2026 (7 exemptions from CA inter cleared)

Complete all remaining papers by May 2028 (around graduation)

Start working immediately after graduation

Reasons this appeals to me:

Structured exam system (no group pressure)

Faster completion timeline

Ability to start earning earlier

More predictable progression

However, I’ve also come across conflicting opinions:

Some say ACCA has limited value in India for freshers

Entry-level salaries may be lower compared to CA

Growth depends heavily on experience, role, and switching strategy

A hybrid idea I considered:

Complete ACCA by 2028

Then prepare full-time for CA Final and attempt in May 2029

But I’ve been told this may not be practical because:

CA Final requires long-term continuity

ACCA prep doesn’t directly translate to CA Final depth

Restarting CA after a gap could reduce chances of clearing in one attempt

My core insecurities and concerns:

Fear of repeating burnout I don’t want to go through another cycle like CA Inter where multiple attempts drained me mentally.

Fear of wasting time Taking 1–2 years post-graduation with no income feels risky, especially if results are uncertain.

Salary comparison anxiety I see peers getting high packages (₹20–30 LPA) even with other qualifications, and it creates doubt about whether I’m choosing the “right” path.

Long-term growth vs short-term stability I’m unsure whether I should prioritize:

Early income and steady growth (ACCA path) OR

Higher long-term ceiling but higher risk (CA path)

Going abroad eventually I’m interested in keeping global opportunities open, but I don’t fully understand which path supports that better in a practical sense.

What I want clarity on:

Which path aligns better with my priorities: lower risk + earlier earning vs higher but uncertain payoff

Whether dropping a year (or more) for CA Final is worth it given my past experience

Realistic salary and growth trajectories for both CA and ACCA in India (not outliers)

Whether there is a smarter way to structure either path to reduce risk

I want a practical, reality-based evaluation of my situation so I can make a decision I won’t regret.I’m willing to work hard either way , I just want to choose the path that makes the most sense given my profile, past experience, and risk tolerance.

reddit.com
u/Different-Pride6894 — 2 months ago

I want to lay out my situation clearly and honestly so I can get a grounded, unbiased view of my career path.

I’m currently pursuing B.Com from a non-DU tier 1 college in India and will graduate in May 2028. Alongside that, I’ve cleared CA Intermediate (both groups), but it took me 4 attempts. That experience has left me quite burnt out with the CA system, especially the group-based exam structure and the uncertainty attached to it.

As of now, I’m at a crossroads between continuing with CA Final or pivoting towards ACCA.

My original CA plan:

Start articleship in July 2026

Complete 2 years by June 2028

Take study leave and attempt CA Final in May 2029

I understand that CA Final requires:

Clearing SPOM sets before attempting

Completing Advanced IT and MCS training

Strong preparation over a long period, ideally with multiple revisions

My concern here is not about difficulty alone, but about risk vs return. From what I’ve seen and heard:

CA Final has low pass rates and often takes multiple attempts

That could mean 1–2 additional years without income after graduation

There is a real possibility of burnout again

At the same time, I do recognize that:

CA has strong value in India

It opens doors in core finance, audit, and higher-paying roles

But the uncertainty and delayed earning timeline bother me.

My alternative plan (ACCA route):

Start ACCA preparation around late 2026 (7 exemptions from CA inter cleared)

Complete all remaining papers by May 2028 (around graduation)

Start working immediately after graduation

Reasons this appeals to me:

Structured exam system (no group pressure)

Faster completion timeline

Ability to start earning earlier

More predictable progression

However, I’ve also come across conflicting opinions:

Some say ACCA has limited value in India for freshers

Entry-level salaries may be lower compared to CA

Growth depends heavily on experience, role, and switching strategy

A hybrid idea I considered:

Complete ACCA by 2028

Then prepare full-time for CA Final and attempt in May 2029

But I’ve been told this may not be practical because:

CA Final requires long-term continuity

ACCA prep doesn’t directly translate to CA Final depth

Restarting CA after a gap could reduce chances of clearing in one attempt

My core insecurities and concerns:

Fear of repeating burnout I don’t want to go through another cycle like CA Inter where multiple attempts drained me mentally.

Fear of wasting time Taking 1–2 years post-graduation with no income feels risky, especially if results are uncertain.

Salary comparison anxiety I see peers getting high packages (₹20–30 LPA) even with other qualifications, and it creates doubt about whether I’m choosing the “right” path.

Long-term growth vs short-term stability I’m unsure whether I should prioritize:

Early income and steady growth (ACCA path) OR

Higher long-term ceiling but higher risk (CA path)

Going abroad eventually I’m interested in keeping global opportunities open, but I don’t fully understand which path supports that better in a practical sense.

What I want clarity on:

Which path aligns better with my priorities: lower risk + earlier earning vs higher but uncertain payoff

Whether dropping a year (or more) for CA Final is worth it given my past experience

Realistic salary and growth trajectories for both CA and ACCA in India (not outliers)

Whether there is a smarter way to structure either path to reduce risk

I want a practical, reality-based evaluation of my situation so I can make a decision I won’t regret.I’m willing to work hard either way , I just want to choose the path that makes the most sense given my profile, past experience, and risk tolerance.

reddit.com
u/Different-Pride6894 — 2 months ago

Hi everyone,

I’m currently in my 3rd year of BCom at a non-DU tier 1 college and I’ve cleared CA Inter (both groups), but it took me 4 attempts. I’m quite burnt out with the CA system, especially the group exam structure.

I’m planning to start ACCA from September 2026 while continuing my CA articleship (likely a dummy one for now) just to keep a backup option open. The idea is to take it steady and give one paper per attempt over ~1.5–2 years.

My chosen papers: PM, FR, FM + SBL, SBR, APM, AAA (more inclined towards management/strategy subjects, not tax-heavy ones)

I’m specifically looking for:

  • Best faculty for each paper (especially PM, SBL, APM, AAA)
  • Whether Indian or global tutors are better
  • Good online coaching platforms vs any worthwhile offline options in Kolkata
  • If it’s better to mix faculty per paper or stick to one institute

Would really appreciate insights from people who were in a similar situation (CA → ACCA, burnout, etc.) and what worked for you.

(Refined with AI for simpler flow)

Thanks!

reddit.com
u/Different-Pride6894 — 2 months ago

Hi everyone,

I’m currently in my 3rd year of BCom at a non-DU tier 1 college and I’ve cleared CA Inter (both groups), but it took me 4 attempts. I’m quite burnt out with the CA system, especially the group exam structure.

I’m planning to start ACCA from September 2026 while continuing my CA articleship (likely a dummy one for now) just to keep a backup option open. The idea is to take it steady and give one paper per attempt over ~1.5–2 years.

My chosen papers: PM, FR, FM + SBL, SBR, APM, AAA (more inclined towards management/strategy subjects, not tax-heavy ones)

I’m specifically looking for:

  • Best faculty for each paper (especially PM, SBL, APM, AAA)
  • Whether Indian or global tutors are better
  • Good online coaching platforms vs any worthwhile offline options in Kolkata
  • If it’s better to mix faculty per paper or stick to one institute

Would really appreciate insights from people who were in a similar situation (CA → ACCA, burnout, etc.) and what worked for you.

(Refined with AI for simpler flow)

Thanks!

reddit.com
u/Different-Pride6894 — 2 months ago