CA, or Chartered Accountancy, is one of the most prestigious and respected courses in the world, and for good reason. From individuals to the biggest firms in the world, CAs work on accounts and books to ensure that the due process is followed, and everything remains over the board. A good CA is often the difference between correct numbers and a host of legal problems. 

A CA is prominently a firm’s first line of defense against any financial wrongdoing and the risk of legal problems. Hence, one’s importance cannot be overstated.

While many CA aspirants go on to work in the topmost firms around the world, many others open their own practices to function independently. Jobs after CA comprise of opportunities in firms across industry and functioning lines as everyone needs a check on their accounts.

Life after CA: The Options 

However, the journey is rife with hindrances. First and foremost, the course is a long-drawn process. It takes years upon years to complete fully, and that too when one assumes that there shall be no retakes.

In addition to this, the competition is tight and crowded. The number of candidates who clear CA annually has increased in the last couple of years which results in an inherent difficulty in separating oneself from any competitors.

As prestigious as the course is, and there’s no denying its absolute honorable position in the landscape, it does seem to present a tough journey for its students. In lieu of this, many students look to pursue courses after CA or CA equivalent courses in order to take their career to the next level.

Consider the PG in Risk Management for example.

Risk Management: What is it? 

Any elements that pose a danger to the smooth functioning of a firm, its profitability, or the reputation it holds amongst its stakeholders are called risks. Risk management is the process of predicting, observing, documenting, analyzing, and mitigating these elements in a way that doesn’t distract from the pursuit of the organization’s goals.

Risk management has been as natural to all businesses as any other aspect. Over the years, the practice has been conceptualized, tried, tested and perfected to be made into an exact science and an all-encompassing art. Whether a person may hold professional aspirations or entrepreneurial ones, risk management is a habit that should come as second nature to them.

Since risk management naturally comprises of financial risks, a lot of CA aspirants find themselves in the domain. Firms across geographical boundaries and industry areas require CAs in their risk teams, especially in the domains of consultancy, mitigation and auditing. The best way to confirm a promising career in this dynamic domain would be to pursue a specialized course in it. This is where the PG in Risk Management comes in.

PG in Risk Management: GRMI’s Flagship Offering 

Founded out of a deep study and understanding of the scene of the risk domain in India, Global Risk Management Institute is India’s premier risk management institute. Founded and managed by a board that comprises of risk professionals with experience of having worked in multitudes of projects all over the world, the institute functions on the main aim of inculcating a culture of risk management amongst the next generation of students.

The institute’s flagship program is the PG in Risk Management. The short-term and job-oriented course is a 1-year, on-campus practical program that covers all verticals of risk management such as:

• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), 
• Internal Audit (IA), 
• Sarbanes Oxley and Internal Financial Controls, 
• Regulatory Compliance, 
• Financial Risk Management, 
• Applied Audit Analytics, 
• Information Technology General Controls (ITGC), etc. 

The course is structured into two arches: 

1. 10 months of classroom education, covering all aspects of the domain; followed by 
2. A 2-month internship in relevant fields in some of the top firms. 

The course has been helmed as the most complete risk management education program in India, as it is the only course that covers all verticals of the domain. 

Pros and Cons: The Verdict 

A lot of GRMI students hail from CA backgrounds, at various stages. From CA-Inter to Articleship to even having cleared the course, GRMI’s students have chosen the program at various stages of their journey, a testament to the program’s universality and utility. What makes it such an appealing course for CA students? Here are a couple of reasons: 

1. Some of the papers, as mentioned above, are extremely close to the CA syllabus. This ensures that a student studies subjects that they have already studied or have an interest in. 
2. Alumni success stories play a major part. Multitudes of CA background students have gone on to work in Internal Audit, Business Consulting Risk, Advisory departments and so on. Such CA career options no doubt play a role in the appeal of the course. 
3. The course’s duration is a big call. It is imparted over the space of just one year, which means one can start one’s career soon. 
4. The course is extremely practical. It comprises of multiple case studies, group assignments and regular sessions with global corporate leaders which offer a corporate simulation of a kind to the students. 
5. The course’s admission process is fairly simple. It consists of two rounds of interviews. This ascertains that the student’s profile is assessed fairly and judiciously. 
6. The placement track record of the firm stands at a whopping 97%. A huge chunk of the alumni is employed at one of the Big-4 firms, i.e., EY, KPMG, Deloitte or PwC. Hence, students can get a chance at their dream career in a Big-4 firm without a CA as well. 
7. Besides the Big-4, other reputed and prestigious consulting firms also hire at GRMI. These include, but aren’t limited to, Accenture, Titan, American Express, Fortis, Delhivery and many more. 
8. The Median CTC earned by a GRMI graduate is INR 9.25 LPA while the Average CTC clocks in at a whopping INR 9.5 LPA. 

Conclusion 

If you’re confused on what to do after CA, you are not alone. The country is rife with candidates like you who are unsure of their future course of action.

However, there is solace in the fact that one’s potential horizons are wide open. CA students are in possession of a wide array of knowledge that can be applicable in a myriad of roles and industries. What would give one’s profile the X-Factor and really enhance one’s knowledge is the onboarding of a corresponding skill set in a specialized area. This would complement the existing knowledge base perfectly while also giving the student a chance at networking opportunities. The future is bright for the students who seize the day!