finding articleship
Hey! This question comes up a lot. So, I will write a detailed answer to explain you everything.
What is CA articleship?
It is a mandatory, 3-year practical training that every CA has to do before appearing for the CA final exam. It is also important, as the firm you join directly affects your first job: the company you get, your skills, and your professional network. Therefore, you should put in effort to actually find the right one.
Types of Firms for CA Articleship
Big 4 (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC): Good communication skills, academics, and CA Inter and Foundation ranks are required.
Pros: Brand name and exposure to more prestigious clients
Cons: Hours are long and competition is fierce; thus, it becomes difficult to manage CA Finals prep alongside.
Mid-Size Firms (Grant Thornton, BDO, RSM, etc.): Sweet spot between small CA firms and large brand names
Pros: Better learning breadth, more personal mentorship, you actually work rather than doing grunt work in large firms.
Cons: Does not have the same prestige as the large firms
Regional/Local Firms:
Pros: They are good for hands-on exposure, direct client interaction, and playing an integral role in the firm.
Cons: They do not have a good name for the resume; you may lack exposure to high-quality clients.
How to find articleship for CA?
The official route: The ICAI portal
ICAI has an official portal, which most students overlook. Here is how to get opportunities using it:
- Go to icai.org
- Go to the students section, and then the articleship subsection
- Log in with your credentials
- Search for designated firms in your city or state
- Apply directly through the portal
However, this only works for local CA firms. For the large or mid-sized firms, you will have to apply directly.
Networking: How most positions are filled
Coaching Faculty: Your CA coaching teachers know a lot of their students who are CAs and working with Big 4 or mid-sized firms. So, if you have a good relationship with them, you can ask your teachers directly to land an opportunity.
Seniors: Your seniors in the 2nd or 3rd year of articleship know of vacancies in their firms and can help you get these positions if you connect with them properly.
Family and Community: If you know someone in your family or close community who is also a CA or knows a practicing CA, ask them to get a referral.
LinkedIn and WhatsApp Groups
LinkedIn profile: Build a strong LinkedIn profile with an eye-catching and prolific about and introduction section, Inter and Foundation score and rank, skills that you have built through your preparation, and any other achievement or experience you possess. Then, search for CA firms in your city, send a connection note, and try to look for opportunities that way. The response rate is low, but it can get some interview calls.
WhatsApp/Telegram Groups: A lot of opportunities from local firms, especially in Tier-2 and 3 cities, open up here, so make sure to join and stay alert in these groups for vacancies.
Your CV: The Corporate Mirror
Try to keep it neat and clean, one page, and use professional templates.
Include the following:
- ICAI registration number and Inter marks (you can also put “attempt” if cleared in 1st attempt)
- Academic qualifications with percentage
- Software skills: Tally, MS Excel or any other taxation software
- Any internships, relevant experience or achievements
- ICAI’s orientation and IT training certifications
Start looking for 1-2 months before your results are out. Apply for all categories of firms, not just Big 4. Most importantly, do not be scared of rejections; they are part of the process.
All the best!