Congratulations on clearing your CA Intermediate! This is a huge milestone in your CA journey, and you should be incredibly proud of yourself. From starting your articleship to preparing for CA Final and handling the SPOM exams, here’s a detailed guide on what to do next.
This is just the beginning — the next steps will shape your path toward becoming a qualified Chartered Accountant. Let’s dive in!
How to Register for Articleship (Practical Training) 🔎
One of the most important steps after clearing CA Inter is starting your articleship. It is a mandatory 2-year training period under a practicing Chartered Accountant or a CA firm. Under the New Scheme of Education and Training w.e.f. 1st July 2023, articleship duration has been reduced from 3 to 2 years.
Eligibility for articleship:
- Clear both groups of CA Intermediate.
- Finish the Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS). This includes Information Technology (IT) and Orientation Course (OC) components.
Articleship Registration Process
✔️ Log into the ICAI Self Service Portal (SSP).
✔️ Fill out Form 102 (Deed of Articles) and Form 103 (Articleship Registration).
✔️ Pay the registration fees.
✔️ Get the forms signed by your principal and submit them to ICAI within 30 days of starting your training.
Pro Tips for Choosing the Right Firm 🏢
Choose a firm that aligns with your career goals (audit, tax, consultancy, etc.). Look for firms that give exposure to different industries and clients. Don’t hesitate to ask about working hours, exam leave policy, and type of work exposure before joining. Talk to seniors on LinkedIn or other professional networking sites to understand more about the work environment.
Go with small and mid-sized firms if you want broader learning into the many aspects of CA practice. But, if you want exposure in a specific area only, join Big 4 firms (along with Grant Thornton and BDO). You can join a department of your choice (direct tax, indirect tax, stat audit, advisory, etc.). If you plan to join a Big 4 firm after qualifying CA, this is the easiest route to take.
Decide where to do your articleship, based on your career aspirations.
How I got into Grant Thornton for articleship 💼
When I was choosing a firm for articleship, I was sure I wanted to get exposure only in one area. So I chose to do my articleship in Big 4/ Big 6 firm. I found all the Big firms operating in my city and called them up to inquire about articleship vacancies. The first firm which had a vacancy and gave me a date for interview was Grant Thornton. And that’s how I joined there.
Leave a comment below if you want a more detailed version of my articleship. I will make another blog post on it.
Prepare for SPOM (Self-Paced Online Modules) 📝
ICAI recently introduced the Self-Paced Online Modules (SPOM) as part of the new CA curriculum. Clearing these modules is mandatory before appearing for CA Final.
SPOM details:
There are four modules that you need to clear:
- Set A – Corporate and Economic Laws
- Set B – Strategic Cost and Performance Management
- Set C – Financial Reporting and Capital Markets
- Set D – multidisciplinary subjects. Choose one module from:
- Constitution of India and Art of Advocacy
- Psychology and Philosophy
- Entrepreneurship and Start-up Ecosystem
- Digital Ecosystem and Controls
When should you attempt SPOM:
You can start SPOM after CA Inter. I suggest you clear set C & D first (before starting CA Final preparation). Then clear set A & B, since the latter will be tested in CA Final as well. Try to complete SPOM during the first year of articleship, when the workload is lighter.
Best preparation strategy for for CA Final while doing articleship (Without Burning Out!) 🎯
Articleship will keep you busy, and you will get to learn a lot on the job. But, don’t lose sight of your ultimate goal — clearing CA Final! You need to be in the mind space to balance both articleship and CA final studies.
📌 Study Strategy for CA Final Preparation:
✅ First 6 months – Focus on mastering work at the firm. The main goal is to be done with SPOM Set C & D by this time.
✅ Next 6 months – Start revising CA Final subjects gradually (2–3 hours a day). Aim is to complete SPOM Set A & B and also finish 40% of your syllabus.
✅ After 1 year – Intensify preparation and aim to complete 100% of the syllabus.
✅ Final 6 months – Full-on exam mode with daily practice, mocks, and RTPs.
You should be done with your CA final syllabus at least 4-5 months before the exams starts. These 5 months are only for multiple revisions. You are eligible to write CA final after completing 6 months of articleship. So it’s up-to you to decide when to write and plan your preparation suitably.
You may find it overwhelming to set up a good strategy for CA final preparation during articleship. If that is the case, you can book a call with me here and I’ll help you make a study plan.
📌 Key CA Final Prep Tips:
- Start with the subjects you find challenging.
- Assign more time to practical subjects like Financial Reporting (FR) and Direct Tax (DT).
- Regularly solve past papers and mock tests to master time management.
- Keep yourself updated with latest amendments in the portions by going through RTPs regularly.
Build Your Professional Network 🚀
Articleship isn’t just about learning technical skills — it’s also about building relationships. Networking can open doors to job opportunities and mentorship in the future.
🌟 How to Network Effectively:
- Connect with fellow articles and CAs in your firm.
- Join CA study groups and online forums.
- Attend ICAI-organized seminars and workshops.
- Actively participate in events conducted by SICASA, WICASA, etc. (CA students association)
- Don’t hesitate to reach out to senior CAs for advice — most are happy to help!
- Connect with fellow CA aspirants and qualified CAs on LinkedIn.
Maintain Work-Life Balance 🌱
Articleship can be intense, but remember — burnout will only hurt your performance in the long run.
🧘 How to Stay Balanced:
- Take short breaks to recharge.
- Include physical activity in your routine (even a 30-minute walk helps!).
- Prioritize sleep and nutrition — your mind performs better when rested.
- Maintain a hobby or creative outlet to de-stress.
Set Career Goals and Stay Motivated 🏆
Now that you’ve crossed a major hurdle, it’s time to think about your long-term career goals. Do you see yourself as a tax consultant? An auditor? Getting into risk advisory? A CFO?
🎯 How to Stay Focused:
- Break down long-term goals into smaller, achievable targets.
- Keep track of your progress with a journal or planner.
- Remind yourself why you started this journey — motivation will keep you going during tough times!
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This! 🎉
Clearing CA Inter proves that you have the dedication and capability to become a Chartered Accountant. The road ahead will be challenging, but with the right strategy and mindset, you will reach the finish line.
Start your articleship, tackle SPOM strategically, and begin CA Final prep with confidence. Your CA journey is on track — just keep going!
If you found this guide helpful, share it with your fellow CA aspirants! If there is any other topic, you want me to make a detailed blog post on, let me know in the comments below.
Check out my other posts here! Don’t forget to follow me on my Instagram, where I put up bite sized informative posts from time-to-time and do study challenges, and on my YouTube channel, for study and stationery related content.
Keep creating! Keep planning! 💞
