A conversation with
Divyang Bhandari
2nd Rank Holder, CA Final Course
(Member of CAclubindia)



A exam results are just out and we had the opportunity to interact with the toppers and bring to you their success stories and close sneak peek into their motivating secrets.

Let us find out what was their strategy and what helped them bust the stress. These are not just some motivational exam success stories, but the real essence and meaning of life is hidden somewhere in their words.

Divyang Bhandari, is All India 2nd ranker of the CA final May 2012 exams , He is from Chennai and has scored 600 marks, very positive and enthusiastic person for CA profession who also is a big fan of IPL, let us find out what he has to say -


Many congratulations to you Divyang, from the entire Team of CAclubindia.com.

How you are feeling?

I am feeling good. The feeling has still not sunk in.

What was your first reaction after seeing your scores?

I couldn’t believe my scores and then around 3-4 O'clock I realized it was true when I started getting calls.

How big is this achievement for you?

Huge, I think for anyone its huge. It’s a land mark in their career or life, it’s a big achievement. This is what you are aiming for your entire life - that you want to do CA and once you get a rank in your final exams and that too in top 3 this is really something big.

When did you decide that you wanted to do CA?

I think when I was in the 8th or 9th grade. My late grandfather , Shri S.H. Bhandari and my father have been my inspiration.

What has been your strategy behind this achievement?

I started my preparations from the 1st of January, before which I used to read a little. I basically took one subject at a time, set targets for completion of each subject to enable me to complete one full reading along with two revisions. I attended coaching for practical subjects which helped me approach the subjects in a structured manner. I used to make notes for larger topics so that I could revise them easily later. I appeared for model exams which are generally conducted one month before the actual exams, they gave me a understanding as to where I stood and which areas I had to concentrate on.

So what is the most important thing that one should keep in mind for the exams?

I think the most important thing is CA is all about smart study. Basically, you need to know what to read, how to read and when to read it. There are some topics which are very important which are frequently asked and there are some topics which are very minuscule, which keep getting asked in every exam but people ignore, for example in a subject like Financial Reporting there are a few topics like value added statements, accounting for share based payments, economic value added etc., I made sure that I covered all these topics in a appropriate manner, as these topics for a major chunk in the examination. I suggest that for a few topics one can make notes which one can revise later. I realized after giving my exams writing is a key to remembering.

So preparing notes and revising it again and again is the most important thing.

My experience says the same, complex topics on repeated reading after regular intervals eventually result in simplification.

You mean focus should be there!

Focus should be there but I won’t suggest anyone to study for 14 hours or 15 hours or 20 hours a day. Number of hours you study is nowhere related to focus on the subject.

How many hours would you study in a day?

Maximum 10 hours a day. Initially I started with 8 hours. If you target 12 hours you will touch 10 that’s what I used to do- I used to target 12 and I used to touch 10, if I used to target 10 hours I would touch 8. So you should always set the target two hours more what you are planning to achieve. I used to get 7- 8 hours of proper sleep, used to watch the television and go out at times. These act as good diversions and help you concentrate better when you get back to study. You don’t have to compromise on normal life, just need to devote that 8 to 10 hours for studies. I think you shouldn’t get disturbed and concentrate that’s the key. Putting in 10 hours every day for 4 months is more than enough, however attending classes is also important.

What are the challenges and hurdles you have faced?

It was a pretty smooth ride, my family, teachers and friends always supported me when I thought it wasn’t possible. There was no pressure of performing from my family. In a few exams when academic knowledge failed practical knowledge came in to play. I think if you have had proper training for the 3years, it would help you a lot in answering the questions.





How much Articleship is important for one CA student?

Articleship is the most important part of a CA student’s journey. During your articleship you deal with real life situations in relation to the subjects tested and now-a-days most of the questions in the exams are based on practical knowledge and application of concepts. As I said earlier it will definitely help you in your examinations as against some people who would say otherwise.

Who was your greatest support? Would you like to thank any one?

I would like to thank my family for their endless support, my teachers for their guidance and my friends who pushed me to achieve what I have.

What are your Hobbies?

I like travelling, watching movies, playing cricket and listening to music.

Are you a member of CCI? What help you have taken from it?

Yes I am. I take help from resource files, recent updates on CCI. For ISCA, I got a link to a website which helped me prepare a few topics. All amendments or recent updates as well as tips for the exam are posted instantly which proved helpful to me. CCI makes answers available in a click - you want information on anything,, you go to the website and type the question and there is a answer to it. So CCI helped me a lot in that way.

How was your overall journey till today?

Overall, the journey has been good. I started off with CPT then moved on to PCC. I did have a little problems in PCC as all the questions were to be answered compulsorily, I got through PCC successfully by standing 30th all over India. Then came the final exams. Frankly speaking I never expected the 2nd rank. I was just thinking I might pass with 450 or 400 marks. So in that way this is a big surprise for me. People tell me that I’m being very modest; but to be very honest I never expected this. But other people had belief in my abilities; a few of my teachers told me after PCC that they could see me in top three, at that point I laughed to myself thinking that they must be joking. But finally I have done it and it feels good.

So what’s next?

Next, I have not decided yet. We have our own firm, it is called S.H. Bhandari and Co., founded in 1955 by my grandfather and then my father took over it. Right now, I’m working with my dad. My focus would be more on financial consultancy and direct taxes. I am also considering doing my masters in financial management or international taxation so that I can get some good exposure.

Any message for CA aspirants and CCI members?

My message will be- CA is not that difficult as people think. With concentrated efforts, systematic studies and determination, I don’t think anything can stop you from doing it. I don’t think our Institute manipulates results in any manner. Just stick to your goal and I think you can achieve it, don’t deviate. It’s just those 3-4 months of your life in which you have to work a little bit more, keep your eyes on the prize. So I would suggest just put in all the hard work in those four months and after that you can do whatever you want to do. Stick to your goals, concentrate and if you think you can do it. YOU WILL.

So any plans for celebrations after this achievement?

There’s no plan as such, I am moving out of town for an audit tomorrow. There’ll be celebration next week I think. Everyone at home is happy and they want to celebrate.

Divyang, it was great talking to you. And thanks for sharing your experience. Once again I congratulate you from CCI team and wish you best of luck for your future.

Thank you!!

  Also read : Interview with - Shruti Sodhani
Interview with - Abhishek Gupta








Comments on this Interview




hitesh akbari
[Scorecard : 20 ]

29 August 2012

" wow i like your suzation ca divyang bhandari all the best for best future."

 


Mihir Manohar
[Scorecard : 474 ]

25 August 2012

" Congrats!!! really fantastic........"

 


Sri Harsha
[Scorecard : 53 ]

20 August 2012

" congratulations :)"

 


Prakash Kochar
[Scorecard : 2114 ]

09 August 2012

" Heartiest Congratulation on your brilliant success. Wish Happy & prosperous future. "

 


VIKAS SRIVASTAVA
[Scorecard : 90 ]

30 July 2012

" congrats dude......."

 


SUMIT MISHRA ACA, ACMA
[Scorecard : 124 ]

29 July 2012

" CCI forget to ask one question, whether he went trrough 3 year article training or he was Dummy...as he has his grand-Pa Ca firm...so answer is there.......he did tremendous in ecam no doubt but he was dummyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy"

 

vinanti2504
[Scorecard : 24 ]

28 July 2012

" Many Many congratulations Divyang Bhandari ...... :)"

 


CA sudhanshu
[Scorecard : 79 ]

28 July 2012

" congrat for This great arraival"

 

rakesh kumar jain
[Scorecard : 21 ]

28 July 2012

" Many Many Congratulation"

 


David Raja
[Scorecard : 24 ]

28 July 2012

" allll theee bestttt.congrats "