CA Final Topper Nivedita Natarajan, AIR 3, says, “Mindful strategy, pre-planning will surely lead to success”
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) declared the CA final December 2021 result on February 10, 2022. Amongst thousands of candidates, Nivedita Natarajan has made her way to the top rank holders in CA Final exams by securing AIR 3. Nivedita believes that to achieve success a transparent mindful strategy, pre-planning, prioritizing things and enough time for sufficient revision is very important. Along with topping CA exams, Nivedita has also got AIR 2 in CS Executive exam. In an exclusive interview with Careers360, CA Final 2021 topper Nivedita shares her experience about the road to clearing ICAI exams.
Related - To check the list of CA Final toppers - Click here
Latest Updates for CA Final Exam
- 31 Aug 2022:
ICAI has extended the last date to fill CA Final exam form for November session till September 7, 2022 without late fees - Read to know more
- 09 Jul 2022:
CA Final Result 2022 to be declared on July 15 or July 16: Check here
- 30 Apr 2022:
ICAI CA Final admit card for May 2022 exams released, to download - Click here
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Students can read the excerpts of the interview with CA Final 2021 topper Nivedita Natarajan below. ICAI CA Final exams.
Careers360: How did you celebrate your success? Which elements would you attribute your success to?
Nivedita: The feeling of having qualified, let alone getting a rank, is still sinking in. I have always believed in giving my best, whatever may be the result. The same has helped achieve success this time in CA results.
Careers360: Tell us about yourself, your family background, your schooling and your key inspirations in life.
Nivedita: I’m from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. My father is into business, my mother is a homemaker and my elder brother works in a private firm. I did my s21 chooling from Chennai and B.Com from MOP Vaishnav College. I have also got AIR 2 in executive-level of Company Secretaryship (CS). I follow most of the international sports and am inspired by the varied qualities that a sportsperson needs which is the same that anybody needs to succeed in a given task.
Careers360: Share about your rank and score in CA Final exam.
Nivedita: I scored 624/800, which works out to 78%. After writing the exams, I expected that I would clear but did not expect a rank.
Careers360: Give us a brief about your preparation plan, study hours, time table.
Nivedita: I made it a point to finish the coaching classes for all the subjects before my study leave started. During the study leave, I prepared for 14-15 hours a day with periodic breaks. I made a time table in such a way that I cover two subjects (one theory and one practical) in a given course of time.
Careers360: Which group or subject of the CA Final exam did you find the most challenging/easiest? Could you cite some reasons why?
Nivedita: I felt that the Advanced Auditing paper was a bit challenging because of the vast syllabus. It was difficult to revise all the chapters in the break before the exam. I was very interested in Strategic Financial Management and Indirect Taxation and was able to finish the revision much quicker for these two subjects.
Careers360: Apart from the official study material, what all books did you refer to?
Nivedita: I referred to the previous year question papers, RTP’s and MTP’s and summary notes of the study material for revision.
Careers360: While attempting the CA Final exams, which all factors need to be considered and what strategy works best?
Nivedita: I believe that no one strategy is the best fit for everyone. But given the vastness of the syllabus, a clear plan in mind to cover the portions during the available time and leave enough time and energy for sufficient revision (at least 3 times) is very important.
Careers360: What is more suitable according to you for CA preparation - self-study or coaching?
Nivedita: I did self-study for Auditing and Law but I believe the choice is different for everyone.
Careers360: From where did you complete your article-ship training? Did it bother your study regime?
Nivedita: I did my articleship from S.R. Batliboi & Associates (part of the Big 4 accounting firms in India). I planned my study regime around my work hours so that both were mutual. Support from my seniors, colleagues and peers was paramount in my success.
Careers360: What are the important learning or focus areas according to you that CA aspirants should specifically focus on?
Nivedita: A concept-driven learning with practical insights is something that the aspirants must strive for. Once the concepts are clear, multiple revisions will help reinforce the concept and ensure success.
Careers360: When did you appear and qualify the entry-level course and the intermediate?
Nivedita: I cleared CPT in June 2016. I appeared for the two groups of CA-IPCC separately and cleared Group 1 in May 2017 and Group 2 in November 2017. I started articleship after completing my graduation.
Careers360: How beneficial are previous years question papers or the summary of the examiner’s comments?
Nivedita: The question papers are critical in assessing the student’s preparedness and the level of answers that are required in exams. It is a good method of self-evaluation and getting into the groove of exams.
Careers360: How did the Covid pandemic affect your preparation for the CA Final exam? How did you manage to maintain consistency during the pandemic?
Nivedita: A positive change due to the lockdowns was the availability of virtual classes which saved time and energy in travel, although I missed the camaraderie and interaction of physical classes. A tight schedule that must be maintained with commitment is very important in finishing the classes on time and leaving enough time for preparation.
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Questions related to CA Final Exam
Hi sir, I have to appear for CA FInal exams in Nov 2022, i have registered for CA final on 07-02-2022 Is it okay sir? And during the CA FINAL registration through SSP , in my application, choice of elective paper was not shown to me.. Is it a problem?
Hello Aspirant,
See application process is already live for CA Final 2022 examination for November 2022 session so if you had applied for it then it is alright and the last date to apply for it is July 1st 2022.
Now coming to the question of choice of elective paper so don't worry because choice of elective paper will be asked while filling examination form for CA final 2022 which would be available for the candidates in October 2022 so you can fill it out at that time and till then you will have to wait for it.
You can check out more information from the official site as given below :-
https://www.icai.org/new_post.html?post_id=15755
or you can also check out our article for all latest updates and complete details :-
CA Final Registration 2022 - Steps to Apply Online, Fees, Eligibility (careers360.com)
I hope this information helps you.
Good Luck!!
Can I apply for CA Final registration after the cut off date? I am going to be appearing for May 22 Final examination, however, I have not yet applied for CA final registration as my Advance ITT examination is still pending.
Hello,
No you cannot apply after the final date of registration. Unless the officials extend the last date you will not be eligible for applying after the final date of registration. As of now there are no information from the officials regarding the extension of the final date. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has opened the CA Final 2022 registration in online mode. The last date for the CA Final May 2022 registration was January 1, 2022. You can apply for December session. The last date is on July 1, 2022.
I wanna ask how should i start studying commerce more producttivly
Hi there,
First of all make plan that what are you going to study,for how many hours you are going to study a topic and on what you will focus on. Plan all these things so that you don't get distract while studying. Then maintain a timetable and follow it .
We all have same working hours but we don't utilize them properly so start utilizing your working hour according to your mental energy .
Always study in a peaceful environment so that you can learn more in less time that means effective study .
Now if you are talking pparticularly about commerce then you can divide subjects into two part
(A) Numerical portion: First clear you concepts and after that practice as much as you can for Numerical.
(B) THEORY Portion: Make notes and clear your concept and revise them.
Try to understand instead of just mugging up lessons so that you can remember it for long time .
And last but not least study with enthusiasm. Enjoy study . Don't take study as burden.
Hope it helps you.
Good luck!
I have bymistake entered wrong information in my CA Final exam form of initial date of registration would admit card be issued to me ?
Hi Aspirant,
Hope you are doing great as per the question asked by you as you have made mistake while filling up the form you should definitely mail to the required authorities regarding the mistakes you have sometimes correction window is given to the students to correct the mistakes if made any during the process.
Hope you found this answer useful.Stay motivated stay positive.
All the best!
can i give ca final exam after clear ca intermediate exam without articleship?
Hey aspirant,
Sorry but this cannot be done as it is mandatory and one must complete at least 2 years of training before sitting for the finals