Restarting my CA Career After Marriage

My Journey to Restart CA Career After Marriage

I am Lavanya Chandresh a seasoned Chartered Accountant with an experience of over a decade. Is this writeup only about my Journey as a CA and the ups and downs? Not at all. I am writing this straight from my heart, travelling back years down the memory lane, A story which I at first thought maybe not worth sharing, what is so special about it? Irony isn’t it , how easily we judge ourselves before the world does and how we nurture low self esteem in corners of our hearts unknowingly. This is my story of how I decided to restart CA career after marriage.

The Start

Doting daughter to my parents, brought up with lot of love and care. But relatives made it a point to always leave a remark about my skin tone so much so that it did not matter to them they were speaking to a little girl who did not understand these conventional societal norms where skin fairness mattered the most.

I somehow made a resolve no matter what I would always make my parents proud, though they never weighed or interfered in whatever I chose to do. Excelling in education is the path I chose, a typical nerd for whom school ranks and competitions mattered the most. My aversion towards science made me chose Commerce in college which turned out to be the best decision of my life.

Becoming THE Chartered Accountant

I pursued PUC from Mount Carmel College and entered the world of Chartered Accountancy after 2^nd PUC.I am the first in my family to pursue a professional course and the only advice I got from well wishers was to stay away from CA as I might end up remaining unmarried just chasing to pass the exam :-).

Cleared entrance, articleship and intermediate was a breeze , a new world opened up. I did everything from Finalizing Balance Sheets, Tax Audits to leading internal audit assignments of Myntra, Citrix, Nilgiris etc. I cleared CA Finals facing an initial hiccup with my mother meeting with major accident just before exams. Finally I become a Chartered Accountant earning the coveted degree at 23. So everything great till now?

The Turning Point

I got married the same year I cleared CA, and there was a sudden break I hit. I married into a typical orthodox family where working women never existed. Though they acknowledged my qualification, it was not easy to suddenly accept having a working daughter in law and did not see the reason why I should work when family was financially secure.

I decided to wait patiently with confidence that my days to shine will come. In the meanwhile, I built my family, nurtured relationships, became a doting  mother of 2 wonderful boys. Best moment being attending my CA convocation with my first born a memory I will always cherish.

New Beginnings

When I had almost given up on my dreams, I got a chance to restart CA career after marriage break, after 8 long years and I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. I initially battled with self doubt , Am I good enough? Do I still have it in me to make it? Do I stand a chance in the world out there where people who qualified with me are way ahead?  Ignoring all the negative self talk and with confidence that Universe always has my back I hit the start button.

My husband and parents are my pillars of support and kids the biggest cheer leaders. Firm where I completed articleship handed me a project immediately and from that day I have evolved in these 4 years.

Transitioning from being a consultant, to being an employee and now turned to a full time practicing Chartered Accountant. I now help clients to make right business decisions, provide insights they miss chasing just revenue, help them stay compliant, throw light on problem areas they often ignore, save taxes and not just remain a cost centre but become a force to drive the business ahead.

I am learning the ropes of building practice, waiting patiently for right clients, with a mission to offer right strategic advice to clients, help scale their business and be a partner in their growth.

It was difficult to restart CA career after marriage. But the Journey has just started and I know it will all be worth it at the end !!

“I will spread my wings and I will learn how to fly”