CA Final Preparation Strategy - The End Game

 CA Final Preparation - The End Game (A Comprehensive Blog on my preparation strategy & Tips)

Hi, I am Vaibhav Bansal

• Graduate from SRCC, Batch of 2022; 
• Worked as an articled assistant in Global Business Tax (Direct & International Tax) domain at Deloitte Haskins & Sells, LLP; 
• Appeared for my CA Final Exams in November 2024 & awaiting results.   The blog will contain my detailed strategy that I executed for my exams.

Disclaimer: This is what I did & I believe worked for me. Follow the same, if it aligns with your mindset and situation. Also, the below text contains some hyperlinks in different text color where I have attached some notes & planner sheets that may be helpful. 

_________________________________________________________________

Part 1 : Classes - Headache of managing them with Articleship: This phase will give you pseudo confidence that, "ok, I have studied the content once & I will not face much problem in understanding the content when I am doing 1st self reading during my study leave. I completed classes by May'24 end

1. AFM - Sanjay Saraf sir - completed in last year of college (Jun'21 - Nov'21) - Great conceptual understanding, covered the amendments part during May'23 - Jun'23 
   
   
2. FR - Sarthak Jain sir - Very lengthy classes that I took around 2022 beginning, couldn't complete them even by the end of 2023 as I was studying for CFA L1 as well alongside, couldn't watch CFS & Business Combination. So, had to complete FR again with Ajay Sir revision videos, Notes & Question Bank in Aug'24
   
   
3. Indirect Tax - Vishal Bhattad sir Exam oriented batch (Nov'23 - Feb'24 1st week)
   
   
4. Direct Tax - Vinod Gupta sir YT lectures - (Watched International tax in May'23 - Aug'23, then the remaining portion in 2nd week Feb'24 - Mid Apr'24). As my articleship was in DT only, So I covered the amendment part of Finance Act, 2022 & Finance Act, 2023 separately as these YT videos are as per Finance Act, 2021
   
   
5. Audit - Shubham Keswani sir fast track (10 classes in Oct'23, remaining classes from 7 Apr'24 - 13 May'24)

Never did homework of any class (except AFM, because I had free time in last year of college). I just focused on understanding what faculties are teaching and after every lecture, just spending 5-10 minutes to flip pages, just to see if there is something which I didn't understood. When watching classes, understanding the content with full concentration, using pen / pencil scribbling / highlighting alongside. 

How to do consistently?  Take a paper & make a daily tracker. When you see cross or blank for few days when you didn't watched even a single lecture, your brain will automatically push you to do it consistently. This is my daily tracker to cover lectures :-

Part 2: Study leave - The Real Preparation phase 

• Self Study means quickly understanding provisions from YT revision videos then quickly reading by yourself & then solving all questions by yourself. Remember questions not done is concept not done. 
  
  
• A white board can be a good investment to plan your next day and complete your targets.
  
  

  
  
• Never stress about 'not being able to achieve targets'. It is human psychology that we often plan aggressively and tend to underachieve. So, the solution to this is to keep a buffer for every revision of at least 5-7 days (In 1st reading, it can be 10-12 days). Even if you cross your buffer by 1 or 2 days, don't panic. I was not able to achieve even a single target that I set. Every target was achieved, but with a delay.
  
  

[June - August] - 1st Reading (Revision Videos + Question Bank Solving) of all Subjects

Brief: In this phase I was managing 3 subjects simultaneously. My day started at around 5:00 to 5:30, with 2 to 2.5 hours of Daily Audit dose (The only solution to Audit) and I covered the syllabus by August end. I read the content from Keswani Sir's book & made my voice notes of every single chapter except Digital Audit and of total duration around 20 hours. I also discussed audit with my friend at an average of 3 days in a week. Then in the remaining part of the day i.e., 9:00 am till 10:00 pm, I studied other two subjects.

First AFM Revision Videos + AFM Question Solving + FR Revision Videos

Second DT Revision Videos + DT question solving + FR revision videos

Third DT question solving + DT revision videos + IDT revision videos

Fourth IDT questions

Fifth FR questions

The Timeline: You will get a rough idea of the journey & small strategies

Timeline	Subject	Action
25 May – 25 August	Audit	·       Daily 2-3 Hours, made voice notes, scribble & highlight. Revise by recalling the topic immediately with the help of small stories, logical sequence & mnemonics told in class or mostly self-made based upon understanding. Never tried to recall what I have read 2 or 3 days back even. Then discussing with friends,
20 May – 15 June	AFM Revision with SPOM:	·       Took around 15-18 days to recall & revise - Read copy notes & summarized them in around 100 pages, solved all questions by hand & watched Pavan Karmele Sir revision videos for any doubts in any question - amazing revision videos, will highly recommend for conceptual clarity. Marked questions for next revision (Around 230 questions). ·       From May 28, started SPOM both modules. Took around 15 days (completed both by 15 June - around 5 days for SCM PE and over a week for law, as I took Harsh Gupta sir's classes)
15 June – 25 July	FR & DT Revision Videos + DT Question Solving	·       Watched all revision videos of FR along with concept notes of Ajay Agarwal sir (No questions done) ·       Watched revision videos of DT & started solved QB of Atul Agarwal sir after watching revision videos (Extensively referred BB Sir's & Atul sir's revision videos); ·       I made BB sir compact as my primary source of reading and read Atul sir's concept notes once and incorporated the things presented in a better way (For example: Charitable trust calculation format, Transfer Pricing Adjustment Format in Atul Sir's notes). ·       Left with question solving of some chapters -Assessment of various entities, Assessment, Penalties & a few theory chapters which I covered for the 1st time in next revision (i.e., during September). Marked questions for next revision. Gave 1st mock around July 26
	Tips:	·       Make a separate notebook where you will write all special adjustments, common format of answering questions, special tricky points in that notebook. ·       Keep on adding as you solve question bank chapter wise. Keep on writing logics in short that will help you to quickly recollect in subsequent revisions
In between July	IDT Revision Videos + AFM Pending questions	·      5 July – 20 July: Watched Vishal Sir's revision videos & covered his Chart Book quickly. Referred the main book only for few important chapters in beginning like ITC, Supply etc. for adding on some circulars or extra content here & there, but that chart book was comprehensive enough.  ·       15 July – 20 July: Spent these days to cover pending AFM syllabus & gave 1st mock by Air 1 Test series on July 20.
26 July – 28 August	IDT & FR Question Bank & Concepts Recall	·       26 July – 7 August: Started with IDT question solving and Vishal Sir's Chart book reading - Again same like DT, I made a notebook in which I covered all the tricky / special provisions in question bank and marked around 100 questions for next revision. Gave 1st mock around 8-9 August ·       8 August – 29 August: Completed FR question bank solving, gave mock & scored 42 XD. Left with some Ind AS like 101, 37, 10 & Analysis of FS chapter. ·       29 August: Gave 1 mock of IBS
		As mentioned before, I was doing Audit daily and recorded my voice notes. So, it also got completed roughly by August 26

[September] - 1st Revision (Marked Question Bank + Quick concepts + Revision videos where needed - for almost 40-50% topics) 

Timeline	Subject	Action
		·       Again, 2nd revision of daily Audit dose started, now in 1st revision I made voice notes, in 2nd I made short notes for SAs & other chapters daily as for me, even Keswani sir's book was difficult to cover in that 1.5 day.
30 Aug – 4 Sept	AFM	·       Reduced LDR (Last day Revision) questions to 180, Covered all the new questions of last 5 years from Pavan Sir New Question's playlist as they are not covered in SSEI book & Study mat + Gave 2nd mock (Air 1 Test Series)
5 Sept – 12 Sept	DT	·       Completed QB of chapters that I was not able to cover in 1st revision, must watch Aarish Sir past MTP RTP paper compilation video + Gave 2nd mock (Air 1 Test Series)
13 Sept – 19 Sept	FR	·       Completed remaining chapters QB as well & marked around 160-170 questions for next revision + Gave 2nd mock (Air 1 Test Series)
20 Sept – 27 Sept	IDT	·       My Customs was weak, so it took 2 days to cover properly and finalize the material - Referred Surrender Sir's notes & made additions in them wherever I feel content is less or special QB points + Gave 2nd mock (Air 1 Test Series)
28 Sept – 30 Sept	Audit	·       Dedicated 3 days to Audit & Gave 1st mock of Audit - Wrote ICAI's MTP & checked by Keswani sir. I was able to revise 80% syllabus in 3 days as I was reading Audit almost daily

[October] - 2nd & 3rd revision (Marked Question Bank + Quickly concepts where needed)

Timeline	Subject & Action
	·       Again, Audit was a daily affair (I started solving QB as well as I never touched it previously) - SA Notes, Other topic notes
Oct 1 - Oct 3	·       AFM all marked questions + RTP MTP of May'24 & Nov'24
Oct 4 - Oct 7	·       DT all marked questions
Oct 8 - Oct 10	·       IDT all marked questions
Oct 11 - Oct 14	·       FR all marked questions
Oct 15 - Oct 18	·       DT & IDT - RTP MTP of May'24 & Nov'24, then ICAI Case Scenarios (MUST TO DO)
Kind of 3rd revision begins - Haphazard but planned manner where ever lacuna in concept or questions
Oct 19-20	·       AFM new questions & special marked questions (that I referred previously) & audit question bank + my short notes read
Oct 21	·       Did some FR topics, that were left
Oct 22- 25	·       IDT & DT QB - Solved questions that were left previously, watched IDT theory revision videos
Oct 26-28	·       AFM Questions, Audit revision in depth of my notes, IDT quick revision from Vishal Bhattad Sir's wall chart

Then from Oct 29 - FR began as exam was on 3rd Nov & Diwali on 31st, so anything less than 5 days would have not justified. 

Part 3: War on the Battleground / Roller Coaster Ride - That 1.5 Days 

A Roller Coaster ride because you have to push yourself very aggressively to cover the syllabus & reach to the top of i.e., completion and then those 3 hours that feels like going down, where you have to write at a lightening speed to complete the full 100 marks paper. Some general tips for these days which you should follow:

1. How to attempt Paper ?
   
   
• The Start & Sequence: NEVER EVER READ 1st question. It is meant to be done and read at the end always as it is compulsary & ICAI generally it is little difficult as compared to other questions. Always start reading question paper from the end Question 6, Question 5, Question 3. No need to read complete question paper in 15 minutes. Read maximum 2-3 question, decide the one you will attempt first & take a pencil to scribble the keywords on question paper. When bell rings, rapidly start filling the details in OMR on the answersheet carefully & then start attempting your question for which you have scribbled keywords in your answersheet.  
  
  
• When to do MCQs? See, it is well known & tested strategy that you have to do MCQs after solving 3 questions i.e., for each question half an hour & after 1.5 hours i.e., at 3:30 PM, start solving MCQs. 
  
  
• Now here is an IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION which no one tells. "Attempting 3 questions" doesn't mean you have to attempt only 3 questions. It means you have to attempt 42 (14*3) marks of the descriptive paper. Let's say you start solving question 6, then question 5, then question 4 & you don't know 1 part in question 4. or the same will take time to recall the concept and apply the same or it involves some sort of algebra as it is a new question. In this case, leave the space and move on to solve the next question (i.e., 4th question) so as to make up an aggregate attempt of 42 marks out of 70. Then start with MCQs (which should Ideally take max 30-35 minutes and at last, solve question no. 1 and remaining parts of previous questions. 
  
  
• Remember, panicking in exams & fighting with the question, continuosly trying solving it by taking it to your ego is a sure shot way of not being able to attempt 100 marks paper. If you want to complete 100 marks paper, maintain speed from the beginning, practise completing mock tests in 2.5 hours (as your 10-15 minutes will surely get wasted in filling basic details, room no., sign, Roll no. in OMR etc.). 
  
  
• If at any point you feel that you won't be able to complete the paper in any case. Then just write keywords if theory / provision based question & final amounts in practical questions but make it sure, by hook or by crook, you have to make it sure to attempt 100 marks paper. 
  
  
• Writing doesn't matter at all. It should be legible enough to understand. 
  
  
2. Never ever discuss your paper when it is over. Don't check MCQ answers on telegram groups. As my manager advised me, "CA Exams is all about off setting and not carrying the past baggage. Believe i yourself and your exams shall go perfectly well.". 
   
   
3. When going back home after giving exam, listen to some song or some bhajan or anything to relax yourself after those 3 hours. When we reach home, generally we are super tired. So, have some tea or coffee and some light food and sleep.
   
   
4. Now many people start studying for the next paper, the same day, say from 7:00 pm to 12:00 pm. I also decided this, but realised that since I woke up early in the morning, I can't study more than 1 hour after coming home. So, it is perfectly fine, even if study for only an hour and then start properly, the next day, say at 4:00 am after having a good sleep.
   
   
5. Watching Marathon? You may watch at your discretion say for 4-5 hours pre-recorded videos but not more than this. Your main focus should be on Quickly going through the notes & solving marked questions and RTPs of last 2 attempts on the exam day. I believe solving questions is aways important in those 1.5 days even. Mark comprehensive questions and solve as many as you can. 
   
   
6. Is it possible to complete in 1.5 days? - 

• See, from the very beginning of your first reading itself, start summarizing and not deleting the content. Make notes of only important keywords  that can help you recollect the complete provision / sentence.
  
  
• Complete syllabus and move with a mindset that, "even if something is left, past memory will help and I will be able to write the answer in the exam". This mindset will help you to calm down yourself and move forward aggressively with full energy without getting dejected and getting tensed. Unimportant or low ROE topics should be left for the end. This will definitely help you to complete the syllabus. Even if something is left, don't worry & don't panic. Always enter the exam hall with the mindset, "Aa gaya to dekha jaega, pehle itni baar pdha to hai hi".   
  
  
• With the above strategy, I was able to cover the entire syllabus around 2 times in those 1.5 days (First till 10:30 AM on the exam day and next quick glance from 10:45 AM till 1:15 PM. We roughly have 25-27 hours to study and with right planning & strategy, it is perfectly possible to complete the syllabus in those 1.5 days. Have believe in your abilities & faith in God. 
  

Part 4: Some general tips / common doubts clarification

1. The preparation phase can be relatively easy if you are in constant touch with your friends & discussing with them on calls, revising, recalling, deciding how to cover difficult topics or to clarify your doubts. Believe me, this is the best thing which can avoid loneliness and frequent feeling demotivation that are usually faced. I myself was in touch with 3 friends & discussing MCQs, doubts, topics and specially audit (which is difficult to memorize). 
   
   
2. What to revise in 1.5 days?
   
   
• FR > As you have adequate time available, you can revise both concept notes as well as questions. Common standard is to devote 5 full days considering the length of subject
  
  
• AFM > Marked questions to be solved completely on calculator. For easy questions, you can try recalling all the steps & formulas and values that you will put in the formula and covering those by mere auditing them. Must do RTP on exam day. If they want to make AFM paper difficult, they will ask you do reverse calculation (Example: Mutual Fund NAV back calculation sum solving by algebra) which means they will give the data which is usually the answer and will ask you for the missing data which is usually given in queastion. Also, a difficult AFM paper carries good weightage from RTP (In Nov 24, around 10-14 marks from RTP Nov 24).
  
  
• Audit > Only Reading & once recalling from concept notes with proper understanding is to be done. Just recall keywords. It is really difficult to do marked questions in 1.5 days, so you can make short notes during your preparation phase for those marked questions.
  
  
• DT & IDT > For category A chapters, brief rapid reading of provisions (Like NR Tax, TDS TCS, Input Tax Credit, Value of Supply) & solve marked questions. For other topics, you can either go for solving questions or reading provisions. But I'll strongly recommend solving questions over reading provisions as that will be more helpful because understanding the application of a concept through numbers is more useful than a mere reading of concepts.
  
  
3. How many revisions are required?
   
   As many as possible XD. So, bare minimum is to have 1 in depth reading & 2 revisions (excluding 1.5 day) to get a surety of passing with good marks and targeting for a good rank. Although, this is not a written rule but still what is preferable.
   
   
4. How many mock tests to write & tips to solve mocks?
   
   
• I believe, ideally 2 mocks are perfect & sufficient. one mock after your 1st read and another mock after your 1st revision. They will help you to understand time management during those 3 hours and will brief you with a conventional paper pattern. Don't write mocks with an expectation that the same question will come in exam.
   
• Once you are done with writing test, always self evaluate with the marking scheme. See, what silly mistakes you did, in what topics or chapters - you lacked conceptual clarity & where more practice is required. This is the MAIN PURPOSE & not the MARKS. Marks are just an indicative of whether you are passing with a decent margin or not. 
  
  
• I won't recommend solving proper mocks in last month as they can downgrade your confidence levels. Instead, once you are done with 2 proper mocks, then solve mocks roughly (in AFM FR > recalling steps & scribbling / calculating final answers, in DT & IDT > recalling keywords or provision & scribbling / calculating final answer & in Audit > recalling / scribbling all keywords.
  
  
• For IBS writing practice of 1 mock is sufficient. For practice you can try solving more mocks orally in. say 2 hours & then matching your answers with the suggested. 
  
  
• Bonus Tip:  When you solve mocks, take 10 minutes reading time instead of 15 & 2 hrs. 45 minutes instead of 3 hrs. This is because in actual exam, you 10-15 minutes are generally wasted in filling the necessary details, OMR, signature, room no etc. 
  
  
5. Can I follow ABC Analysis / Can I leave category C chapters?
   
   
• See, the only purpose of ABC Analysis is to give you a sequence of preparation & the relative importance of topics (A category topics means which should not be left and where putting efforts is worth). But in no way this means that you have the freedom to leave C category topics. 
  
  
• Given the unconventional pattern, surprise element that ICAI is incorporating in papers & conceptual clarity expectations, C category topics are also required to be covered, may be at the end, but with same seriousness as A category topics. 
  
  
6. Must Refer Resources
   
   
• IDT - Vishal Bhattad Sir's Interest, Monetary Limits & Time limits summary available on his telegram channel, Akshansh Garg Sir's Revision video (especially theory & customs revision videos), Surrender Sir's 5 Hours ITC Questions video
  
  
• DT - Aarish Khan Sir's past paper / RTP / MTP Compilation video, Atul Sir's DTAA revision video, BB Sir's NR Tax revision video
  
  
7. One last advice 

• "Jo Dar Gaya, Wo Mar Gaya" - Stop fearing; try to avoid panic situations by switching off lights and taking a nap for 10-15 minutes or meditating or Jumping Jacks for 5 minutes or some peaceful bhajan or may be going to temple. But remember, panic & fear is like a snowball. Stop it from becoming big as this can stop you from taking actions. Remember, continuously taking actions even when there is fear is the only way to become victorious. "Keep on doing, have faith, have belief , Stay optimistic" > The only mantra which I believe can be of greatest help. 
  
  *CA Final Sabka Niklega, Lekin Niklega Usi Ka Jo Karta Rahega...Bina Ruke, Bina Thake...XD
  
  
         

I tried answering to and giving advice on, as many questions / problems, that a CA Final Student usually face. If this adds value, you may leave a comment! All the Very Best :)

What & How to cover for Articleship in Direct & International Taxation?

What & How to cover for Articleship in Direct & International Taxation?

What? 

The below list contains broad topics which one should prepare who is aiming for pursuing articleship training in Direct & International Taxation from a reputed CA Firm like Deloitte, KPMG, Vaish & Associates etc.

How?

I have inserted links at various places in this blog - A MUST REFER! :) 

Preparation time - A week approximately

________________________________________________

1. Basic Tax rates (Watch Vinod Gupta sir Lecture 1 on YT for this) can also refer this link -
• Domestic Company - 25% / 30% + Surcharge Rates (7% & 12%)
• Foreign Company - 40% + Surcharge Rates (2% & 5%)
• Firm / AOP/ BOI
• 112, 112A, 111, 111A
• Individuals Slab Rates - Deductions allowed, Rebate u/s 87A  
• Maximum Marginal Rate concept
• MAT & AMT - book profit calculation - 115JB
2. Section 5 - Scope of Total Income
3. Section 9 - Income deemed to accrue or arise in India 
   
   
• Meaning of Royalty - Consideration (or Lump Sum consideration) for 
• Transfer of right in patent, design, model, plan, secret formula...
• Imparting info w.r.t. working of patent, design, model, plan, secret formula... 
• Use of patent, design, model, plan, secret formula...
• Imparting info concerning industrial, commercial & scientific knowledge..
• Use/ Right to use industrial, commercial & scientific equipment
  
  
• Meaning of Fee for technical services - Consideration (or Lump Sum consideration) for managerial, technical or consultancy services
  
  
4. Section 195 - TDS for payment to Non-Resident (on Income chargeable to tax in India)  
5. Section 197 - Lower withholding tax certificate 
6. Section 194C & 194J - TDS for contractual payment & on payment for professional/technical services 
7. PGBP - Section 28 (charging section), Section 43B (deductions allowed on actual payment basis), Section 36 & section 37 (general deduction) + 44AD, ADA and briefly complete chapter
8. Capital Gains - WDV, Actual Cost, Slump Sale, Section 48, 49 & 50 + Exemption section - 54, 54G...
9. Advance Tax & Section 234A/B/C and 234D/E/F/G 
10. Assessment topics (BB Sir revision video refer for CA Final Assessment revision)
• Section 142(1) - AO calls to furnish Return / Accounts / Information 
• Section 143(1) - Intimation, 143(2) - Scrutiny Assessment, 143(3) - Assessment Order 
• Section 144 - Best Judgement Assessment
• Section 147 - Income escaping assessment / reassessment
• Section 148
• Section 148A
• Section 154 - Rectification
• Dispute Resolution Penal - DRP - 144C - My video 
• Faceless assessment 
11. DTAA (Double taxation avoidance agreements) - Read Article on PE, FTS, Royalty, Interest and other income + if time - Non-Discrimination clause + MFN clause in DTAA
12. Documents for taking benefit of DTAA
• Tax Residency certificate for the year in which deduction is to be made
• Online Generated form 10F
• No PE Certificate 
• Tax identification number in the country of residence
13. Equalisation Levy (covered in above DTAA link)
14. Form 16, 16A, 24Q, 26Q, 27EQ, 15CA - 15CB & others - due dates of TDS returns, Income tax returns and Interest under sections 201(1) and 201(1A) for default in TDS deduction and payment to Government. 
15. BEPS (Base Erosion Profit Shifting) - basic meaning
16. Permanent Establishment - meaning and types
• Fixed Place PE
• Service PE
• Agency PE
17. Must refer VG Sir 1st lecture available on YT by clicking on the Link-

Click on the above image for clear view

***

B.Com (Hons.) & CA Notes

Hi Lad / Lass,

If you are looking for some quick notes on various topics that are covered in your B.Com (Hons.) syllabus or CA curriculum, please find below link to my handwritten notes.  You can use them for the static concepts & can refer to prepare yours for the last day of exam.  All the best.  Hope these can prove to be useful in your exam prep :)

CA Notes - Foundation, Inter & Articleship - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_VxvZtngXvFHpy7nw9M0yXRqUP2u-wCi?usp=sharing 

Following topics are covered:

CA Foundation - Maths Notes, Partnership Act, Sales of Goods Act, BCR Notes

CA Inter - Repeated Costing theory, AS, SA & CARO notes for exam & articleship prep, Audit on items of FS notes, PGBP / Cap Gains / Salary Short Notes, FM theory questions, Bailment & Pledge + Indemnity & Guarantee

CA Articleship - Direct Tax Interview Prep Notes, Articleship initial days notes of basic concepts

B.Com (Hons.) Notes - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uwatwI5FSSrV1SmDQtKkqqXxSWpVsktJ?usp=sharing 

Following topics are covered:

GST Short Notes / comprehensive notes, FRA Notes, Audit & Corporate Governance Notes, FOI (Fundamentals of Investment) Notes, Corporate tax planning notes, Return filing practical & Tally Practical Notes, Marketing Notes 

Marketing Class Complete Notes - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Syf6o-YeSKMe6SBi3PoB3VhFXrUwKZln?usp=sharing 

CFA Level 1

Ethics - Candidate Resources Concept Notes & Other chapters candidate resources concept notes - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SqUCe2bMjPT0pB3UM2MF5Rtvx2PL4mic?usp=sharing  

Articleship Guidance: For SRCC Students/ Big 4 Aspirants

Hi, Dear Juniors. I am Vaibhav Bansal, an alumnus of SRCC (Batch 2019-2022). Currently I am pursuing my articleship in Global Business Tax department (also known as Corporate & International Tax department in KPMG) in Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP, Gurugram. This article aims to address some common queries regarding articleship. This blog is written with an assumption that you are targeting Big 4 firms. (Personal Advice: Unless someone in your family is having a well-established CA practise & you are very clear about continuing the same, it is highly advisable to target Big 4 or at least best among top firms. Big 4 brand help a lot in getting the best of placements in ICAI Campus or even outside in shortlisting. Moreover, the level of professionalism, exponential growth, networking opportunities is unmatched). Hope I can add value to your reading time...

*******************************************************************

1. Start Applying: When & How ?
• When: Early January or Late December. Keep tracking LinkedIn & keep a check on campus of other colleges as well. It might happen that firms are not visiting campus, but have started hiring articles externally.  
• How:
• SRCC Campus: During my time, companies started coming in 1st week of February. Among Big 4s, only PWC came for Stat Audit profile. Other Firms that visited: BDO, Grand Thorton, Bobby Parikh Associates. If you want to apply for Big 4 through campus, then you can wait maximum up to January 1st week or 2nd week max, otherwise, it is advisable to try out other ways.     
• LinkedIn: Connecting with Big 4 HRs, Managers, Deputy managers, Assistant Managers & sending your CV with a well-drafted polite message  
• HR Mail IDs: Try to jugaad HR mail IDs (probably telegram groups, friends / seniors, LinkedIn) 
• Seniors Referral: Connect with your seniors already working in BIG 4s or other reputed firms & ask them to refer your CV or profile to HR or there respective managers. They can confirm, if there is vacancy in their team & accordingly can confirm. 
2. Available profiles (As per my knowledge) 
• Statutory Audit :- Involves preparing work papers (by sample testing for various items of financial statements & control testing to determine risk of material misstatement (Inherent Risk*Control Risk). Remember work not documented is work not done. You will become an excel master in this domain. Moreover, you will learn in depth application of Ind AS. For further details, you can contact any other person working in audit domain.  
• Corporate & International Taxation :- Broadly involves Advisory (Like advising entity whether it needs to deduct TDS or not on specific transactions by analysing DTAAs, Compliance (TDS/TCS Returns, Annual corporate tax returns, Returns of AOP/ Companies/ Trust & Charitable Institutions/ HNIs), Litigation (Assisting client in filing submissions before tax officer for various notices received under various sections of income tax, researching relevant case laws, advising client & representing in ITAT/ HC/ SC): Working over multiple clients, varied assignments & exponential learning involved.  
• M&A Taxation:- Can connect with Bhavay Agarwal on LinkedIn or alternatively find the link to his blog below.  
• Indirect taxation:-  Can connect with relevant person on LinkedIn. 
• Risk Advisory (Internal Control):- Can connect with relevant person on LinkedIn.
• Transfer Pricing:- Can connect with relevant person on LinkedIn. 
• Capital Markets: Currently, this profile is offered by PWC. Can connect with those working in this field. 
3. Start Preparing: When & How 
1. When: (Ideally start preparing slowly in early December & gradually pace up till early January, so that the probability of having a panic attack at last moment, in your case tends to 0)
2. How:
• Statutory Audit: 
• Important Topics: CARO, AS, SA (Worst scenario topics: Ind AS basics/ Amendments in Ind AS). Refer your CA Intermediate audit & accounts module.
• Some Resources:- For excel sheet question compendium, frequent questions pdf, important topics list, common HR questions, my own AS/ SA notes, you may WhatsApp (contact no. below).  
• Corporate & International Taxation:- Important Topics Link: 
• Important topics: PGBP, TDS/TCS, Return Filing, Due Dates, Tax Planning/ Avoidance/ Evasion, Relevant Budget along with Memorandum to Budget (I referred Bhanwar Borana Sir's budget analysis on YouTube), CA Final DT revision videos on YouTube (I referred to Bhanwar Borana Sir's videos for preparing some CA final topics: DTAA, BEPS, Equalisation Levy, Assessment, Calculation in Book profits in corporate taxation). Refer my blog for detailed guidance. 
• If you want my DT notes, you may WhatsApp. 
• Indirect taxation:- (Can refer to CA Inter IDT syllabus or alternatively & preferably, synchronise your preparation with B.Com (Hons.) Semester-VI IDT preparation. If you want my IDT notes, you may WhatsApp. 
• Transfer Pricing:- Can Refer to CA Final Transfer Pricing chapter under International Taxation (Paper: DT & International Taxation)  
• M&A Taxation: Can refer to questions asked from my friend, Bhavay Agarwal here:- https://lifes-musing.blogspot.com/2022/06/interview-questions-m-tax.html 
4. Questions asked in my Interview

1. Round 1: Technical Round Questions (Deputy Manager & Manager)
1. Questions around budget
2. Any 2 recent things of Direct Tax in budget
3. Examples of practical consultancy that you gave for taxation to your friends (Tax Harvesting method LTCG 112A/ HRA & other deductions)
4. BEPS (Base Erosion Profit Shifting) (basic idea) 
5. Types of assessment in income tax (Best Judgement/Ex-Parte, Income Escaping, Scrutiny) 
6. Corporate tax rates (Domestic/ Foreign/ MAT)
7. Why MAT was introduced (Because companies used to avoid tax using benefits given by government, too often & this was delaying economic growth) 
8. 115BAB/ BAC applicability
9. Why you want to do CA & not opting for Placements at SRCC
10. How many tuitions you are planning to take. How will you balance your studies with work? [Answer this question diplomatically]

1. Round 2: HR Round Questions (Director & Partner)
1. Introduce Yourself
2. Why Taxation
3. Famous personality in Deloitte from Rohtak [as I said that, I belong to Rohtak & Deloitte's Global CEO, Mr. Punit Renjen is from Rohtak]
4.  Favourite Sport
5. Do you like travelling [Answer in affirmative obviously, quote instances to prove]
6. Any example that can prove you are hardworking
7. Any instance where you set an example in front of others [To check your leadership skills or your dedication to work]
8.  What do you expect, you will be doing in articleship (basically, type of clients that you will face and what you will do) [You can say that you will get an opportunity to analyse new age business & analyse undefined/ unspecified taxation aspects for them. Here, Partner specifically discussed about service rendering done through YouTube Videos & confusions prevailing around taxing such services]
9. Your Favourite Celebrity
10. About extracurricular activities you have done apart from academics [College Societies, competitions, Publications, public speaking, certificate courses]
11. What do you want to do in life [Your vision/ ambition/ ultimate goal]
12. About your family [Who all are there]
13. Your CA Final attempt due
14. What are you going to do this Sunday? [This was around February & colleges re-opened after COVID, so I answered, that I will be moving to Delhi]

If this piece could be of some help to you or could add some value to your time, do comment or WhatsApp at +91-94684-60834 to motivate me continue writing :)

*Alternate Detailed Experience of Bhavay Agarwal:- https://lifes-musing.blogspot.com/2022/04/articleship-hunting-not-as-daunting-as.html?m=1