r/CharteredAccountants

I saw a post asking for clarification for the same, so thought of making a post about all the major domains available in the market.

A bit about me, I did my Articleship from a big 6 firm in stat audit and currently working in a big4 firm in stat audit only, so I will try to keep my analysis unbiased. Also I cleared all my levels in my first attempt, with both groups at the same time in both inter and final level. So let's jump into it

Direct Tax

One of best domain, if u wish to start ur practice down the line or are really passionate about direct tax. Big6 shouldn't be preferred for direct tax, as they take only advisory cases, and company tax filing, so the work there can be clerical, but the exposure is great, as u will only get to work on the complicated tax matters and not the routine ITR filing,which is usually done by small firms. Also work hours in tax even in big6 are relaxed to a certain extent

Internal audit

It's a good domain but only if u do it from big4 or Protivi and Mazars. Don't join small firms for Internal audit as u would be asked to prepare the financial there. Also, the only lateral movement possible from here is the client internal audit team, as it's not a fully accounting role nor a compliance role. Personally I keep this as a option 3.

IDT

Don't join this domain, unless u are going to start ur practice in the next 5 years. As GST is an ever changing law and it's not a bulky one like income tax, so its demand is very less.

Stat Audit.

If u can't decide, which domain to go for, just join stat audit.Its opens the doorway for all other domains expect Taxation. Plus stat audit always have vacancy. But u can't start ur practice if u did ur Articleship in stat audit, as majority of work with small firms is of direct tax. Also there would be long siting hours during peak season, so be mentally prepared for that. Working till 11-12 would be normal in September and April. If u are joining small firms or mid size one , always enquire about the work environment from other articles working there , u can connect with them on LinkedIn,just don't get too Frank and don't tell them u have given the interview.

Niche domain

They are mostly hit and miss, transfer pricing,M&A Tax, FDD are currently the hotshot ones but there vacancies are limited and u would be entering a niche very early in ur career. U may find it hard to switch later on.

If u have any further doubts, feel free to DM or comment below.

Luckiest day of articleship !!!!

Today i got notification of 12,500 credited out of nowhere, it made me feel like gods favourite child

Later, noticed in bank statement thatit had same narration as when ICAI scholarship money of 7.5k credited.

So most probably, ICAI sent me 12.5k idk whyy😭😭😭💓💓💓💓

I got a decent offer from an early stage startup (Off Campus).

Range 10-13LPA

Let's discuss the roles you were offered, industry/Big4 & pay scale and finally what you are going with.

So hello everyone,i have cleared one group of inter and another group left,i have 2 attempts and now i have decided to leave CA,all the best to everyone for your september attempt,i am planning to join business or do masters

Asking for a friend who has offers in Valuation & Deal Advisory and is confused between the two.

PwC Mumbai: ₹12L fixed + ₹50K joining bonus + 30% variable
KPMG Bengaluru: ₹13L fixed + ₹1.5L joining bonus + 25% variable

From a career and learning perspective, which would be better for valuation/deal advisory? Which firm offers better exposure, learning and long-term growth? Is the additional compensation at KPMG enough to justify moving to Bengaluru?

Location is also a factor. My friend is from MP, and Mumbai is much easier and cheaper to travel to (overnight trains etc.). He also has quite a few friends and some family in Mumbai, which could be useful since he may need some support from them in the next few months. Bengaluru would mostly mean taking flights back home.

Would really appreciate opinions from people working at either firm or in valuation/deal advisory. If you were in this situation, which one would you pick?

I hate what years of isolation have done to me. I feel like I don’t belong anywhere anymore.

I am currently working as scale 2 officer in a psu bank, i am 32 years old.

I had dropped my dreams of becoming ca as i failed ca inter when i was 21 years old. Recently due to the work culture of psu banks, my dreams of completing ca couse reignited. In the recent may 26 attempt i completed ca inter both the groups successfully.

Now i am confused, about how to further pursue ca finals. As articleship requires me to resign from my current job.

I am married and also have a kid. I am really confused how to go ahead. Kindly help me with your suggestions.

2 weeks to go for exams. I am sleepy all the time even after having shots of coffee. Will pre workout help? Or is it harmful for health if i am taking it without working out

Hi everyone,
I qualified as a CA in Jan 2026 after multiple attempts ( at age 28). During articleship, I didn’t get much practical exposure. I mostly worked on cooperative bank audits and GST returns, and a lot of it was during COVID.

After qualifying, I realised I lacked even basic practical knowledge and struggled to crack interviews.
I had an ICICI Bank campus offer for a Relationship Manager role, but rejected it after friends advised me against going into sales.

Instead, I joined a CA firm 2 mon back to gain practical exposure. I explained my situation, and they agreed to train me. The terms are ₹30k salary, minimum 1-year commitment, and 6 months of training.

Now I been given 2 tax audits (₹100+ crore turnover), a statutory audit and an internal audit, mostly to handle independently.

I’ve never handled company audits before, and honestly, I sometimes don’t even understand the data I’m given. The biggest pressure isn’t the workload — it’s not knowing where to start or what I’m supposed to do.

On top of this, I have applied for a few government jobs, with exams expected in the first week of September.

Im confused how to manage the work and study.
Seniors please guide me.

I'm an intermediate student, recently graduated from a tier 3 govt college (bcom).

I wrote the Pgcet exam (state level exam), just for funsies with my friends.

Got rank in 400's

My CA intermediate attempt is in Jan 27.

If I tell my family, they will tell me to do an MBA along with CA. But, ik it's not gonna be easy.

And I lowkey don't want to leave CA.

Any advice helps, please.