Jobaaj Stories
Have you ever wondered what really goes into shaping someone's professional career?
Well, the profile you see on LinkedIn or a resume is just a sneak peek. There's a lot more that happens behind the scenes, tells Jay Kumar Hotani a CA finalist, Audit associate at EY, content creator, and Podcast host.
Jobaaj Stories, features his behind the scenes of achieving these credentials. So, let's dive into his journey so far!
I am Jay, a CA finalist and a content creator and this is my story!
My journey started in early 2016 when I had just cleared my 10th board with a 9.6 CGPA. At that time, I was faced with a decision to choose between science, commerce, or arts.
I opted for commerce because it seemed like the easiest and most fun option. Little did I know that it would lead me on a path towards becoming a Chartered Accountant.
During my 11th class final results, I realised my knack for numbers and logical reasoning. My mentor suggested that I pursue Chartered Accountancy, which I registered for soon after. I continued with my studies and even managed to score 95.4% in commerce-maths in my 12th class.
Despite having the opportunity to become a Chartered Accountant, I still had my sights set on Delhi University. It took a lot of convincing, but I finally joined DU, and it turned out to be the best decision of my life. Those 3 years at DU not only framed the person I am today, but they also opened up new doors for me.
I gave CA CPT in Dec '2018 and cleared it in one go. I gave both groups in Nov' 2019 while juggling regular college at DU and cleared it in one go as well!
Now, with 1.5 years of college life left, I decided to explore and gain more skills. I started my podcast and entered into the field of content creation to upskill myself further.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
In my third year, I was fortunate enough to be placed in one of the global Big 4 companies. However, in order to complete my CA qualification, I needed to undergo articleship. Therefore, in January 2021, I began applying for articleship positions in both Big 4s and Top 20 firms. I was thrilled to receive offers from a number of these firms.
The first Big 4 offer for Articleship I received was from EY (S.R. Batliboi & Associates) for a position in Statutory Audit, which was exactly what I was looking for. The firm, profile, sector, and location were all perfect for me. With great enthusiasm and excitement, I accepted the offer and prepared to begin my professional journey.
On my first day of articleship, April 26th, 2021, I completed my orientation, which was conducted remotely due to the pandemic. A week later, my manager informed me that I had been allocated to work for Delhivery, a startup that was going to have an IPO soon. I was ecstatic and knew that this was going to be an incredible experience.
During my two years at EY, I have had the pleasure of working primarily with Delhivery, as well as with three other entities in the logistics and consultancy sectors. My work has included managing significant areas of financials, performing audits on material aspects and internal controls, and issuing necessary certifications.
I am incredibly grateful for my supportive and wonderful team and have thoroughly enjoyed my journey at EY.
My Career Journey: Transformed by EY
Let me tell you about my journey with EY - a company that has not only fulfilled my dream of working at a Big 4 firm but has also transformed me into a professional with a broad range of skills and experience.
From the day I joined EY, I have had the opportunity to not only learn from books but also implement and analyse what I have learned. This has given me the confidence to manage client commitments and deliverables, and to contribute to EY's success.
But what sets EY apart is their kindness towards me. They have featured me on their network as an example of striking work-life balance, awarded me three times for my contributions, and given me space to explore and learn. For that, I will always be grateful.
What’s Next?
Even though I'm proud of what I've accomplished so far, I know I still have a long way to go. I always set the bar high for myself, and I'm constantly pushing myself to do better. Right now, my focus is on my CA Finals for the next nine months. After that, I'd love to explore the field of management consultancy or Investment banking since finance and businesses have always fascinated me.
A lot of people have asked me about my plans for an MBA, CFA, CPA, and other certifications. While I haven't made any concrete plans yet, I do want to keep learning and expanding my knowledge.
Up-skilling myself is always a top priority so that I can keep growing and broaden my perspective. You can visit my LinkedIn to look into my upcoming milestone!
Till then, signing off!
P.S. You can reach out to Jay for any feedback on his work or regarding any queries by personally mailing him at jayhotani10@gmail.com or following his LinkedIn profile!
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