In our childhood we have learned the proverb that ‘Time and Tide wait for none’. This had been part of our study text in order to teach us that time is limited and immeasurably valuable. From this childhood education, I’ve learned that time is short and time management is very much important. Until now, I have not been realized how important time management is. I had busy schedule before but not to the extent I had been till yesterday. I was so much stressed and I had slept less that 5 hour per day. Several times I’ve wished that there were 48 hours in a day instead of 24 hours.
Since yesterday I had been busy with my MBA semester finals, projects and hand written assignments. I had to do all these after my office hours. It was so tiring. The whole semester was like this. Although Friday is my weekly holiday but I had MBA classes on Fridays. That means I practically didn’t have weekend for the semester which is equal to almost 4 months. In this semester I had two teachers who loves taking extra long classes and makeup classes without missing a single class. Sometimes it was so boring and tiring that I felt dizzy and sleepy in the class. I already developed habit of sleeping in the bus but in this semester I have developed the ability to sleep in anywhere. I have slept several time in rickshaw. I think you might get the idea how tiresome this semester was. But gladly the tiring semester have come to the end. My semester final exam are now over.
I am hoping to attend the upcoming August 2015 exam of ICMAB. From April 2015, I was planning to take full preparation for my ‘Advanced Financial Accounting – I (AFA-I)‘ course at ICMAB. However, I couldn’t. I was busy with my Advanced Stage exam conducted by ICAB. Later I got busy with MBA exams, projects, presentations and term papers. I couldn’t’ manage time to take preparation for ICMAB exams. This is when I realized that time management are very much necessary. I have tried my level best to manage proper time for each and every necessary activities which left me tired and stressed.
However, sun shines after the rain. While I was passing my toughest time during the year, I received a good news. Last week ICAB have published its May-June 2015 exam result. The result showed me that I have passed the CA advanced stage. Advanced Stage is the final level of CA exams. There are four subjects of this exams. Passing the advance stage means qualifying as a Chartered Accountants and becoming eligible for the membership of The Institution of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB). As I have passed the advanced stage, now I have become a Chartered Accountant and eligible to be a member of ICAB.
This was my first attempt in advanced stage exams. I didn’t really expect to pass all four subjects in on attempt. I required two attempts for both the Knowledge level and the Application level. So I was sure that I will take at least two attempts to pass the advanced stage. Moreover, I knew that passing the final level is very hard and there are many brilliant students who are struggling to pass this level. Compared to them I’m nothing and my exams were not that good to pass all four. So when the result came out, I was shocked and surprised. At first I thought there might be en error or I have seen wrong. But later I was made sure that I have really passed the CA final stage. It was way beyond my expectations and seemed like a dream.
When I started CA, my aim was to pass at least two level of ICAB exams and appear at least once for the final level of exam before I complete my CA articleship (CACC). Alhamdulillah I was able to achieve this target. When I achieved this target, I felt aimless and felt there is nothing left to do. I was getting demotivated. So I had set a new aim to pass the CA advanced stage at the first attempt. I also had the target to pass without paying any annual fee which was applicable for CA students who have completed their articleship. With the blessings of Allah, the most merciful and gracious, I have achieved that target .
Moments after passing CA seemed different than ever. I was unsure with my result while others were congratulating me. I was not sure what to say or how to act. But I was appropriated by my family, relatives, friends, colleagues, partners and senior partners of the A. Qasem & Co. After passing my CA exams, I have been promoted to Manager of Audit & Assurance service from the position of Assistant Manager. I have also been assigned with a new room at A. Qasem & Co. I’ve received many advises from my senior colleagues. This sort of experiences are new to me. I’m really enjoying these experiences. However, there is nothing that can change who I am. I will remain the same old me.
Congratulations, bhaiya! Please pray that me, along with my fellow students, can achieve the momentous achievement that you did! 🙂
For someone about to start CA, do you have any advice? Is it as scary as people say it is? Or can it be finished within 3 years through hard work?
CA is not scary at all. It is a lifetime experience. It’s something that’s can’t be expressed in words. People is scared because success rate is very low. Remember only rare items are valuable. It’s true that becoming an CA is very much difficult but it’s not impossible. You just have to be determined and focused on becoming CA. All other things will become irrelevant. If you think you will pass within 3 years, it will create extra mental pressure. Key to success lies in being stress-free. You should aim to be a CA in 3 years but be open minded that it might take more time. If you work hard and stay focused, you will become a CA eventually and that’s what it matters.