Question:
You have already qualified as a CA, and I am in the same process of getting the qualification. My question is centered on along the journey itself, what other skills do I need to harness or get apart from just being a CA? Do I have other things that I really need to learn or wish you had focused on during your articles?
Answer:
Connections
One of the greatest rewards of being an auditor is the access we get to executive-level management of diverse companies. It is important to establish lasting business connections and networks with them. Whilst carrying out your duties, make it a priority to learn from them and tap into their expertise in business and life. Be inquisitive and seek career guidance. Make lifelong learning a goal and priority. Within the firm itself, it is important to connect with the Partners and attain as much knowledge as you can from them. It is thus important to make every interaction count.
Business operations
Whilst auditing the controls around the business, take deep interests in how everything works together. It is important to get acquainted with how the business operates as a whole and all the different functions that are integrated to make an organization successful. Learning how organizations operate can help you establish a business of your own. Be analytic and you will be able to identify opportunities that exist and markets that are not being tapped into or better yet, ways to improve efficiency and be more effective.
Work-life balance
It is important to establish a work-life balance unless you want to become a workhorse. Prioritize finishing work during the weekdays so that you have time over the weekend to spend with family and friends and follow some of your other passions.
Taking risks
Never be too comfortable where you work such that you miss out on good opportunities or become too afraid to take risks. You need to realize that there is life outside the firm. Whilst you are working at an organization towards qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA), you must remember that the firm is just your employer. Recruitment policies change, retrenchments happen, and you may not always be the best fit for an organization. Never become too comfortable and always be on the lookout for opportunities that result in career growth and that also challenge you. However understand that your exit point and time, affect your value outside the firm, exit at the right time.
