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.
Hearty Congratulations Madam,
My age is 56.
Recently cleared IPCC both groups after 30 years of completing
BCom. ,LLB , DTL passed before 1988 and
was practicing as Tax and Labour consultant
Now preparing for CA FINAL
Can i have your contact number for few guidance points please ?
My number is 9850765808
I am Ashok want to do ICWA inter and my last qualification is M.com age 50 I I need your inspiration even if you are woman as well as serviceholder and how did you maintain the interest and zeal for the whole syllabus.Really I am proud for your achievement and congratulate for your success.Regards
Ashok Mohapatra(9891355193 )
Great Madam.I am aged 64 cleared .ca final 2nd group in 1982.practicing with my wife who is a .ca as I am a successful advocate in tax and corporate laws.my son is a Partner in KPMG..l am motivated to write first group and finish.l need your guidance.l have sirc student no.my no is 9480936333.
Hats off respected Madam
U r a role model and inspiration to the present generation, especially those who drop in the middle.
Regards👍🙏
Hello Beautiful to know that your tenacity to continue itself is great. Your family support and guidance actually gave your commitment more value added grip to complete CA by any means. Hats off to your dare devil CA complition. I myself tried to pass CPT and appeared once for exams as my daughter wanted me to try.Due to marriage in family,my could not continue and did not pass. Unlukily from next year onwards maths was compulsory and all 4 subjects has to be passed separately. But I was not pampered to restart my studies and I was fighting my battle all alone without any support from any one.I am still struggling and trying to find my way some where and be proud of my Achievements.
Congratulations for being CA.
Madam, At the outset my Hearty Congratulations to you. Am also a proud mother having completed CA at the age of 50 under similar challenges as yours. Am now in Madurai aged 84 years. Am very keen to contact you. Can you share your mobile number by e mail??
Regards and blessings – Padmavathi Hariharan.
I am M.com. Age 50 year , should I do CA. How to start please guide.
Respected Madam CA, congratulations. I have completed my B.E(Hons), in 1975-80 at GCT Coimbatore, MBA in 1998 IGNOu, retired as Executive Engineer (Agri Engg), in 2015. On 1st August 2019 I joined ITT and passed on 17.8.19 at SIRC KANCHEEPURAM, Located at Tambaram East. Now doing Orientation Course at Coimbatore Sirc from 18.8.19. I wish and hope to pass CA at my 65 th year. You are my inspiration. Gajendran V.
Sir, Really congratulations for your strong desire at the age of 65. I have seen this today (30/6/2022). I got attracted to your desire since I am also an Engineer and now thinking of doing CA. I m at 48 now. In this regard I would like to know your present status of pursuing of CA. I m really got motivated after gone through the Madam story and also you desire.
Please provide me your mail id to enable me to contact you.
thanks & Regards
Bravo, ma’am. What an inspiring story. Though you have not narrated the tough part. I’m sure it was not easy. Age is not a barrier for learning. Good luck.
Congrats madam….well done
Wonderful Madame,
I pray that your new venture to be a very successful and fruitful.
God Bless us all
Wow super madam you deserves a big salute ???
Congratulations Madam !!
DEAR MADAM,
MANY MANY CONGRATULATIONS.
UR IS AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS .
-C.A. A.G. SHAH
You are my role model and my inspiration saroja mami
You proved to the world at large that Mind never becomes old as body – which many people miss in the aging process
Heartly Congulations and become pinnacle of students.
Wow. It is very inspiring. Congratulations maam.
Ma’am.. a very hearty congratulations….. I’m inspired by your achievements… As I’m standing at the same spot you were in when you started your C A. People keep telling me why do you want to pursue a carreer after 45 years of age… I had to take a break for a few years due to family commitments…but somewhere I felt something is missing… You have shown me the way … To go ahead … Thanks a lot .. for having inspired me ma’am..
Congrats madam…. All the best…
First I congratulate for your success and becoming a CA. Secondly, you have created a sense of responsibility towards your responsible banking position and also your family commitment. Third one you have also expressed your desire for leisure and relax at the same time aiming to achieve the goal of becoming a CA. Your husband driving you to write Income Tax & IT papers at a stretch is the reason the preparation already made should not go waste has yield better result. On the whole total positive outlook towards job, family and your longing desire to acquire CA position is a token of challenge present generation should see to achieve success in life. Thanks for sharing your experience so beautifully for one and all.
Hats off for Saroja Deviji. many many congratulations.
Congratulations madam for your spirit and enthusiasm.
Hearty congratulations Mrs. Ramchandran. Your performance would encourage many aspirants to continue with the course in spite of initial reverses. You have proved that perseverance coupled with hard work leads to success even at difficult challenges like the CA examination (Come Again exam.?) Your spouse also deserves kudos for his guidance and support.
CA R.B.Kanvinde
Encouraging and inspiring .
Congratulation.
Live example Age is no limit but determination and will power .
Madam I had goose worms reading your story and my inner sense asks me to again get up and start the path that u took up to become a Chartered Accountant….
You have been a great inspiration to students who take drop out and I am one of it but I feel to try again till I get best out of it… Thank you so much…
And many many Congratulations for new beginning..
HAts off to you for your determination to pursue amidst your other commitments as a banker , Housewife ..many youngsters shy away from the course as they perceive to be tough..
Wishing u all success in your professional career . U will be a great support to your husband who was responsible for encouraging you to take up the challenge..
Your banking experience will be very useful for taking up bank audit..
you are great madam. You are inspiration for all irrespective of age of person.
Many many congratulations to her
Congratulations madam.
As a B.Com student, I was tried to step into. But I was discouraged by my near and dears. After red your successful story, now I have to rethink it again. Your successful story boosting my enthusiasm.
Once again I am congratulating you and appreciating your family support.
Madam
Congrats for you & Entire family who supported for
your sucess.
Hearty Congratulations
You are now a live proof that if you have a strong desire backed up by determination and persistent efforts, you can achieve anything in this world.
My Regards to your husband and your sons who have supported and encouraged you throughout.
Wish you all the best for your future.
Heartiest Congratulations !!!
you reminded me my day .
I was also one exception case. I married in 1999 and after that started CA. People warned me that I can’t do, but I proved them wrong.
your story gives Inspiration to many.
Madam,
Congratulations on your unbelievable success!!
Thanks for your family support and they stood as an example that hard work never fails.
Hope and wish you all the best in your career.
Prakash rao V
hats up to you mam,
when people are leaving a CA after 4 or 5 attempt at the age of 30-32, you aspiration for all that student,
once again congratulation.
Congratulations mam, it gives lots of courage to all
Uthe who watnts to be a certified professional in their life..
Hats up mam.
Congratulations once again
Warm Regards
Sunil yadav
Hats off to you Madam, at the age of 58 it’s time to play with grand childrens but you played with ICAI books and exams… really inspirational to each of us…. specially women’s who live there course in the middle ….. Our institute should write this kind of article in Student Article…..
…. Really inspirational to students
UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT FOR HER….
M’aam
Hat off to you what a miracle you have done what type of enthusiasm you have my god unbelievable
Reading your article is a lesson to all young professional aspirants as well those who have left the all hopes to be become a professional
Madam,
I am thrilled to read about your success. From now on there is no retirement for you. You can only take VRS once again from your profession when you want. Your patience, perseverance and never say die attitude has won this for you. Thank your family for their continued support. Yours’ is an inspiration for the entire CA students fraternity.
Congratulations Madam…You are proven ” There is no age for Education”…..
Hearty Congratulations Madam. You determined to do it. You could prove that one can do it.
Hats off to you Madam. really the story is the source of inspiration.
Right now I am 46. Basically I am B.Sc. Last year I have Completed MBA in Finance. Now I want to become a CA. how is it possible ?. what is the steeping stone towards that direction.
Kindly focus some light in this direction.
Brave Effort and Congratulation.
Hats off to your Husband as well.
Congrats Madam….What a nerve holidng student career u had !!
Saroja you are truly an inspiration who faces challenges of different kind. being a CA, I can understand what will power you have and that too at that late age when your son is getting the same qualification. Determination, courage, and family support all counts but destiny also pivotal path in life. Congratulation.
Madam
You have done really a great job which will motivate to others
Mam your patience and commitment to complete C.A besides taking care of your family is very inspiring mam.The lesson to be learnt is to never give up and to work hard.
CONGRATS, YOU WILL BE A REAL ROLE MODEL FOR THOSE WHO LEFT CA HALF WAY AND AGE IS JUST A NUMBER . THERE IS NO AGE BAR FOR ANY THING , IF YOU ARE COMMITTED TO DO. C.A MEANS “COME AGAIN”
Congrats Madam.
Your stubborn is extraordinary…and very inspiration for the upcoming students…