CA Arjun Mehra, CFA

What After CA? Your career roadmap beyond the exam
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You cleared CA. Now what?

For years, the goal was simple: Pass CA at any cost.

But once you do, a bigger question arises - What next?

Here are the most common career paths after CA (and how to decide):

📍 Big 4  
↳ Ideal if you want stability & structured career growth.
↳ Start with audit, tax, or advisory, then move up.

📍Core Finance (IB, PE, VC)
↳ For those who love valuations, M&A, deal-making, or capital markets.
↳ CFA & financial modeling can help, but networking is KEY.

📍 Consulting 
↳ Work with tier 1&2 firms (McKinsey, BCG, etc) solving business problems.
↳ Strong communication + analytical thinking beats just technical knowledge

📍Industry Roles (FP&A, Finance Manager, Strategy)
↳ Join large corporates across sectors.
↳ Roles include financial planning, internal controls, business partnering, or corporate strategy.
↳ Great for cross-functional exposure, long-term stability & decision-making roles.

📍 Entrepreneurship & Startups
↳ If you have a business mindset & risk appetite.
↳ Many CAs are co-founders, CFOs, or finance heads in startups.

📍 Government Jobs (RBI, IAS, SEBI, IRS)
↳ If you prefer stability & policy-making roles.
↳ Exams like RBI Grade B or UPSC can be good options.


The truth? There’s no “one right path.” Your next step depends on your skills, risk tolerance & long-term goals.

You’ve done the hard part - now it’s time to choose your own adventure.
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I’ve never been rejected in any interview - and here’s why.
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From KPMG to BCG - Every interview I’ve ever sat for.

Not because I had the perfect answers.

But because I had alignment, understanding, internal & external consistency and clarity my answers

📍I prepare like I’m joining the team, not giving an exam.
📍I research like I’m already solving their problems.
📍I enter the room with a story - not a script.

It’s not about sounding impressive.
-> It is about proving that you’re not just qualified - but you stand out too.

What works:

↳ Build strong narratives - not rehearsed scripts
↳ Focus on business impact - not just task lists
↳ Talk about impact, not just activities.

Confidence isn’t about having all the answers - it’s about knowing who you are when you walk into the room.
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I never got rejected in any interview.
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but when you do, It messes with your head.

and here’s what I learned - maybe you need to hear this too

📍 Your first interview will probably suck.
↳  Your first resume might be average.
And your first rejection will sting.
But the only way to get better?
Keep showing up.

📍 Not getting selected ≠ not being worthy.
↳  Maybe the role wasn’t right. Maybe the timing wasn’t.
But you’re still growing. Keep becoming.

📍 Apply anyway.
↳  Nervous ? Apply.
No referral? Still apply.
Because one “YES” can change everything. It did for me.


Rejections don’t mean you’re not capable.
They just mean that it was not your room.

Because the opportunity you want?
Won’t wait for your fear to pass.

Show up scared - that’s how you win.
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Follow CA Arjun Mehra, CFA for more stories and @__thesnitch on Insta for BTS chaos.