We are presenting below story of N Saroja Ramachandran who has Cleared Chartered Accountancy examinations at the age of 59 and become An inspiration for all who are pursuing Chartered Accountancy Course in her own words:-
At the outset, I thank the Almighty & my family for having been there with me throughout this Chartered Accountancy (CA) course. The first question everyone ask me is how did it all begin?
It began in 2004, when our son went against our suggestions to pursue the Chartered Accountancy course. We were apprehensive as engineering was the most happening thing back then and clearing the CA course had always been an uncertainty. My husband Shri K B Ramachandran a practising CA by himself, suggested that I too take up CA to create a conducive ambience for our son and I obviously laughed it off.
CA N Saroja Ramachandran
However, he kept bringing it on repeatedly till the time I warmed up to the idea. So finally I signed up for the course (PE-II equivalent of IPCC) in 2004. There were many challenges each of them individually capable of draining a person. 1) I was working as the branch manager in a private sector bank and the branch was located in a place 50 kms from my home; had to take two buses a day to reach my workplace and 2 buses on return. 2) My first son had enrolled into CA amidst our suggestions against it & and our second son had gotten into his adolescence; and my mother-in-law was ageing 3) I was mathematics post graduate so had no clue as to debit or credit or taxation for that matter. 4) Classes were out of the question as I had to run a household, run a branch travelling 100 kms a day. 5) Leave for exam preparation were never adequate nor certain (the longest leave I got for preparation+exams was 7 days including a weekend).
However, I went ahead with the course. My first son took up the work of getting me the correct books, scanners (never could use them for want of time) RTP (never could use them as well) etc. He would also let know the critical areas to focus. However he couldn’t teach me as I was not in a position to spare time. Sundays were the only time I could do with some study however every Sunday was not on offer as they were the only days wherein I could restore some order in the household or complete my social commitments. I did whatever I could, sincerely.
I cleared first group of PE-II in my second attempt. And cleared the second group in my third attempt (could be second as well forgot the number to be frank). Clearing second group involved some an interesting anecdote; I had written the costing paper and was sure of failing miserably. Called my kids and checked whether we could go for a small vacation as there was no point in continuing the exams further. We were all so excited about that. But my husband put his foot firmly down and made me write the Income Tax and Information Technology papers. And to everyone’s surprise and delight I cleared the second group and PE-II in that attempt.
However, I continued my banking career for two more years wanting to be part of Core Banking Solution (CBS) implementation in our Bank. Finally, I came out on Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) on 31.03.2008 and started my Articleship in my husband’s firm. By this time my son had also completed his PE-II and had commenced his Articleship in a Chennai based firm.
Articleship had its own challenges. I was the oldest student in the firm; had a household to run; had to support both our sons as one was giving his 12th final exams and the other was about to give his CA final exams. Basically, I did CA alongwith many other equally important tasks at any given point. Maybe that helped me in keeping myself realistic. Towards the end of my Articleship the priority slightly shifted to helping my son clear his CA final examinations.
I cleared Group I of the final course in May 2012. Group II however proved to be much more elusive. I had to accept failures despite hard work; had to forego attempts for family commitments and even social commitments at times. Not until May 2017 could I clear Group II of CA Final examinations. It was July 2017 when I finally became a Chartered Accountant and applied for the coveted membership.
Some of the lessons that I picked along the way:
1. Leave the valuation to the examiner (though it is very tough).
I was about to shun my May 2006 attempt after a disastrous Costing paper (as per my evaluation); when my husband convinced me to write the remaining exams. I cleared my PE-II in that attempt.
2. Stress could act as a stimulant (though we may not realize while at it)
3. Don’t abandon your efforts in adverse (even so-called hopeless) situations. (costing paper again)
4. Family is one of the best support systems that we could rely upon for our career enhancement.
Now, I am a partner in the CA practice setup by my husband and being expanded by my son and his friends. Hope this phase turns out to be as eventful and as interesting as the student phase.
congrats madam, having your ambitions are very strong
Thanking Madam,
Heartly Congrualtion for your new life.
Hats off to you madam. Your experience in banking sector and your age will be an eye opener to all who could not complete their CA course, definitely an inspiration to all of to all of them. Age is not at all a hindrance to success but health, determination, interest and perseverance will do wonders and your success story will be a message to people who discourage. I do wish you and your family excel in the ethical CA professional services to the society at large.
Congratulations, Salute to your dedication and hard work.
Congratulation madam,
You will be the best example for me to join CA. Because It is my childhood dream. i hope i can take you as my manter. Now i am thinking of joining CA alongwith my daughter how going to join CA course from next year. Once again thanks lot for tax guru to sharing this article.
Congrats Madam.
A small doubt.
Just now I have been retired from Central Govt Service on superannuation on 31/08/2018 at the age of 60.
I have done my C.A. Articleship from Jan 1979 to Feb 1981- 2years 2 months with student membersip No.MM9521 and discontinued to join Southern Railways based on RSC Exam selection.
I wish to know whether I can continue my articleship for the balance period and appear for CA Inter and then final Exam please. Kindly clarify.
Hats off to you Madam. Congratulations. You are a true inspiration!
Hats off to you mam. An inspiration to those whose one group of final does not clear for many consecutive attempts. that don’t give up
Congrats . Stunned . you are.role model .Age is no bar for achievements. Best wishes to your family members who stood behind you.
Congratulations extra ordinary effort
congrats…………………you have set an example for the present students who are not completing their
studies and leave in the midway…..
Madam you have shown that education has no age bar – Congratulations a lot
you are great madam
Congratulations Madam. Surely this is a motivation to the younger generation.
I am willing to share how I did my MBA after premature retirement from Indian Air Force, as a Wing Commander. During my career in the IAF, I had done LLB and CS.
At age 60 I did my PhD, when I was a visiting faculty in B-Schools in Delhi.
Thanks to Tax Guru for highlighting this fact that “Where is a will, there is a way”. Madam Saroja’s achievement is an inspiration for all household ladies who give up their career at their peak to support their family. All these ladies should inspire and continue to study, work and continuously strive forward for their own life and their own career duly ensuring a balance between work life and family life, after all family life needs quality more than quantity time. Kudoos and congratulation to Madam once again.
how is do this its impossible. congratulation mam
My Sincere Wishes to our CA Sister Smt.N.Saroja
Heartiest Congratulations.
Great Smt. Saroji.
Hats off…You are really a inspiration for lot many young people and me too.
I personally Thank you for encouraging me…
congrats mam. you are a role model for the students presuing CA course
Congratulations to CA N Saroja Ramachandran Madam. I am also a science graduate from Biochemistry from 1984 and i can relate to your experience well !
Congrajulations Madam!!! Completing CA at the age of ritirement shows your true grit and perhaps you yourself do not know how tough a character you are !!!!! truly inspiring madam. Being a CA myself I know how many aspiring young students drop midway due to the rigouessness of the course. Your achievement truly give enormous motivation to the aspiring CAs. Surely you are a legend madam among our CA Community
Commendable. Hard work and dedication, strong determination, clear goal, patience all together brought the results.
You are an inspiration Maam. You are a great example for students who do not pass their examinations. i would like to salute for your determination.
Madam, you are an inspiration to young generation. Hats off to you and your will power which gave you these results.
It is amazing experience and definitely will inspire the students who just lose their heart in course of repeated failures.
Salute to u Maam…Myself CA Kanika Khandelwal from Gwalior…I completed my CA in 2015 at the age of 35 years..It was challenging task for me too as when I enrolled myself into CA course I had 2 little babies in hand ; household work to manage n at the same time taking coaching classes for 11th n 12th students…but as your family stood by your side mine too….I live in a joint family and my inlaws n husband supported me immensely bcos of which after lot of struggles n hardship was able to complete my CA… Today I am a Practising CA n proud to be part of CA fraternity.
Always suggests students if we are determined enough nothing can come in between our passion…Though it takes time but eventually hard work will always pay off…
Dear CA Madam,
EARNING and LEARNING has been achieved by you simultaneously by carrying out the following activities :
1) Branch Manager Work
2) Family Responsibility
3) Studying
4) Appearing CA Exam
5) After knowing CA Result console oneself
6) Preparing for Next Attempt
7) Encouragement by the Family Members
With your tireless efforts, you maintained all the above activities in the Critical Path without any floating time and achieved the CA Target through the Grace of God.
Congratulations to CA N Saroja Ramachandran
Although I am 24 years older than you and myself a (non-practising)Chartered Accountant, I have no hesitation in sending you my Namaskarams and Salutations on this excellent achievement. May the Good Lord bless you with more and more laurels in the years ahead.
Prof Bala
Dr N Balasubramanian
CA no. 4117 (!)
Congrats and wish you all the best. Your story is a morale booster to all the aspirants
Age being a Mere number , it’s tenacity that matters to achieve . Mrs Ramachandran has set an example to many of us who have given up on Professional courses on not clearing a part or 2.
May she guide us thru professional forums.
Very well done Madame
So tough to achieve this task with equal respobility of being household.
So great sarojini very very congrats to you
And you family…..!!
Nothing is impossible. The only requirement is, courage, determination and concentration towards the aim.
I MUST SALUTE SUCH PEOPLE, WHO BECOME THE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION.
I wish, she must continue with a mission to inspire others also, not taking her qualification, merely as a source of her earning..
see- the will power of a mother (aadi shakti) is strongest.
hope madam develops business and pass on baton to daughters and daughters in laws – real competition to young girls to learn dedication live
Vary Nice……
Hellow Madam. My friend shared ur write up. Great. Hearty Congrats at the same time a boost for those who left CA Halfway. But me too, at this age, now, want to continue. Not sure about exam regulations. I cleared grp 1 in 2006. Then dropped. Now looking for help to understand continuing possibilities and resuirements
All the best to you
Dear ma’am,
You have deeply inspired me. Hope I would be able to achieve the desired result.
Thanks
JS
Congratulations Saroja ji
You have set a Brave example of great inspirations for the Seniors.
Really fantastic and amazing.
Great, We welcome to new member and congrates and would like to thank to your husband for taking such step
Hello Madam,
Really you are inspiration for others who feel guilty if they do not pass in second third or fourth attempt..
Really you and your family make remarkable land mark for everyone’s life ..
Keep your blessings with all your well wisher and show path to all that everything can be achieve
Great achievement, Congrats
congratulations
jaha chah waha raha
aapne sabit kar diya yadi koi CA karna chahta hai to usko koi rok nahi sakta
WELL DONE
Madam,
You have set a milestone!
Congratulations!!
You are a CHANGEMAKER!! Immense Respect!!
Congratulations Respected Mam….!!
congratulations madam!!!
remarkable perseverance and grit.
your efforts & results are truly inspirational and a guidance to all others.
Hi Ma’am,
Congratulation & best wishes for the journey!
Enjoy
Congratulation Ma’am,
You are one of the best example of persistence, honesty & for those who say age is not just a no.
Enjoy!
Respected Madam
It is a the best motivational Article for all students pursuing Professional Examinations with the I CAN ATTITUDE.
May the Almighty’s Grace be with you and your family in your Professional arena .also.
With Regards
e n ananthanarayanan
Coimbatore-641021
[email protected].
CONGRATS MADAM… YOU WILL BE AN INSPIRATION FOR MANY ….