article ship days

1. 09 / My Article ship Days
For the benefit of readers, let me say few words about CA course before I talk about my
Article ship days. The student is supposed to undergo the practical training (full time, like an
employee) for 4 years (now 3 years) after passing B.Com, (now after passing Inter CA) under
the guidance of a Chartered Accountant. Each CA is allowed to train few students as per rules
prescribed by ICAI. CA examination is conducted by The Institute of Chartered Accountants
of India, New Delhi. Those days due to shortage of CAs in practice, it was necessary to enrol
your name with CA firm after passing Inter commerce examination. However due to
acquaintance of my father and eldest brother, I could get the entry without enrolling my name
in advance. The student was supposed to work without any stipend or salary. (Now
handsome stipend is paid.) Prior to my joining CA course, the student was even supposed to
pay lump sum amount of about Rs. 5,000/- to CA firm and in turn would get some stipend
during article ship period of 4 years.
It is necessary to execute the Articleship Agreement with CA firm and the same is registered
with ICAI. The Training period would start from day of signing the agreement. Now the
Articleship period has been reduced to 3 years after passing Inter CA examination. Earlier the
training period was 4 years after B.Com. Articleship rules have changed number of times in
the past. Earlier student was supposed to answer 5 question papers per subject and get it
corrected from the Institute. Subsequently the rule was changed. Then the Student was
required to visit the examination centre on Sunday for answering question paper. Now
student is supposed to clear Inter CA examination and then only he is allowed to undergo
training for 3 years. On passing in all subjects, he would get the eligibility certificate for
appearing for the examination. The examination dates are 2nd May and 1st November. The
result would be declared in July and January. The result percentage was hardly 2%. Now the
passing percentage has improved to say 7-8%. A student is expected to secure minimum 40
marks in each subject and secure 50% marks in a group. No body would dare to appear for
both groups at a time. Friends, I dared to appear for both groups at time & cleared in first
attempt and also secured rank all over India in Inter CA and Final CA.
After passing B.Com. I decided to take up CA course of 4 years. My father had already expired
in 1969 but both the brothers since employed in BOI supported my decision. Thanks my Bros.

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I did Articleship training with M/S Jayantilal Thakkar & Co. Chartered Accountants from
14-06-1971 to 13-06-1975. I cleared Inter CA examination in May 1973 with 59% marks and
securing 36th Rank all over India.
I cleared Final CA examination in November 1974 with 53.8 % marks and securing 48th Rank
all over India. CA result was hardly 2 % those days and hence it was a great achievement to
clear the CA examination in first attempt and that too with a rank.
Our firm had four partners. Senior partner Shri Jayantibhai looked after Taxation department.
We had no contact with him. However the other three partners namely Dilipbhai, Maheshbhai
and Chimanbhai looked after Audits and Taxation. We directly worked under their day to day
guidance. Our theoretical knowledge of accounting and auditing received new dimensions.
During four years of Articles, I got vast experience of Audit and Finalization of accounts of
public listed companies. We were taught to carry out detailed Audit after understanding
Accounting & Taxation implications. The emphasis was on getting all material queries of
accounting solved before finalization. This initial exhaustive training laid the foundation in
discharging my duties as Financial Controller and then as an Auditor. I sincerely thank all
partners for the training given to me. I take this opportunity to inform my Professional Gurus
that I also followed similar approach in training students pursuing CA course under my
guidance. Many of them have successfully passed the CA examination and are well placed
in Service or Profession.
I remember my Articleship days because of ‘Piles.’
Our Firm M/S Jayantilal Thakkar & Co Chartered Accountants, had many Audits of big
companies, Trusts, Schools, Advocate firms etc. In June 1971, batch of 15 articled clerks joined
the firm. We were given just a formal training and batch of 8 articled clerks was sent to Golden
Tobacco Ltd. for audit. Year ending was June those days. We were allowed to take breakfast in
the company canteen. We enjoyed the breakfast of potato vada-pav, cutlet, samosas etc. The
items were very tasty. However in few days, It showed the true colours. I suffered from piles.
I bought piles ointment and applied for 2 days. My problem got cured. I never realized that
the problem of piles was not over but it had begun. Over the years, I suffered from piles
more frequently. I tried many medicines and ointments but my problem aggravated day by
day.
I knew the reasons but had no control on them. My body was generating more heat.

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My outside eating in canteen, hotels, working or studying for prolonged hours, lack of
exercise, tension in the office and personal life was all adding fury to the problem. I was
helpless. Finally I reached to a stage of surgery. You may not believe that I had to postpone
the surgery for 15 days because our Managing Director had gone abroad and I was running
the show in his absence. I did not pass stool for almost 10 days. I could not even sit
comfortably on the chair due to piles. Finally I got operated on 15-01-1985. It was told by the
doctor that the piles may recur after about 10 years. But with the grace of God and the
availability of proper diet (thanks to my beloved wife Sumitra) I have won the fight against
piles.
Friends, you may read this episode in another Article on My Health but I have once again
narrated the story because even 36 years after piles operation, I am not able to forget the agony
suffered during those years. I am sure that you will excuse me for this repetition. Those of you
who have suffered from Piles will be able to vouch my experience.
Our Firm had number of Audits of private and public limited companies, Educational
institutions, Trusts etc. We had to go for out of station audits. However I had stipulated that
I will not undertake outstation audits till clearing Inter CA examination to be held in May
1973. (i.e. two years after commencement of Articleship training) Subsequently, I did
outstation audits.
I remember my Articleship days for yet another obstacle. Mr. Bhide had doubt about my
educational career because he had predicted one obstacle 2 years after SSC and once again
after 4 years. However he could not throw light on nature of obstacle. I have successfully
crossed the first obstacle of my father’s death in August 1969. (I passed SSC in June 1967).
I have already mentioned that a student was supposed to write 5 test papers per subject and
submit to ICAI for evaluation. ICAI had set up a counter in Income Tax Office for collection of
answer sheets. We used to handover the papers to our peon for submission to the said
counter. Every month, one of us would visit ICAI office at Colaba to check the status of our
answer papers. ICAI would issue the eligibility certificate on passing in all test papers.
We were supposed to attach the said eligibility certificate with examination form.
Last date of submission of exam form of Inter CA was fast approaching. I visited ICAI Colaba
office in second week of March 1973 and to my surprise I was told that there is a problem with

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one test paper. I was told that you have copied the answers from another paper. I was really
taken a back. The concerned Officer showed me both the papers. The other student had copied
from my paper. I could prove this because he had copied answers of only five questions
instead of six. The date of submission of my paper was prior to his submission. The concerned
clerk at Income Tax must have given my answer paper to that student for copying. Both the
papers were sent to the same examiner foolishly by the concerned clerk without realising the
consequences student may face. My performance was also far better than the other student in
other papers. The Officer accepted the fact but he had no discretion. If matter is referred to
Delhi Office then no decision will be received soon and my May 1973 attempt will get wasted.
I was on the verge of crying. Such allegation of copying was really frustrating. I had already
proceeded on leave. The matter was referred to higher ups in WIRC. I was given a via media
of answering 5 more test papers as a part of punishment.
I came home with a tensed look. I had to share the happening with my mother. In next 24
hours, I wrote 5 Test papers. Next day I submitted the answer papers to ICAI-Colaba. The
Officials were convinced with my sincerity and dedication. It is pity that even good
qualities have to be proved time & again. I was told that eligibility certificate would be sent
immediately. It was not received in time and I had to despatch my examination form without
attaching the certificate. I returned home from Post Office and I received my eligibility
certificate. I wrote a letter and again rushed to Post Office. My earlier envelope containing
examination form was still in the post office. I met Post Master and explained him the entire
episode and requested him to attach the eligibility certificate with examination form.
He expressed his inability for this. Finally I sent eligibility certificate by another Red. AD.
The Postmaster promised to send both the envelopes together.
I returned home with a worry that my eligibility certificate should get attached with
examination form; otherwise, I may not get the Hall ticket. Anyway, I had no choice.
I concentrated on my studies. I received the hall ticket in time. I was relaxed for the first time
in last 2 months. I cleared the Inter CA examination in flying colours as mentioned above.
My stipend was increased from Rs.40/- pm to Rs.45/- pm after passing Inter CA. I was the
only clerk who cleared Inter CA examination out of 15 clerks appeared for the examination
from my firm. Now I had become a senior articled clerk. I was made group leader for
conducting audit assignment and to train the junior articled clerks.

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I completed postal tuition for Final CA by writing another 40 Test papers. Fortunately, this
time there was no difficulty. I appeared for Final CA examination held in November 1974.
I was allowed 100 days leave. I saw Hindi movie ‘Namak Haram’ with my friend Jayant prior
to commencement of leave period.
I had a tight schedule. I used to leave the home by 7.15 am. I would visit Prakash Restaurant
for break fast and then proceed to the Library at Prarthana Samaj. I would study till 1.30 noons
and returned home for lunch. After Lunch, I would go Sydenham College Library at
Churchgate. I would leave the Library by 8 pm and would reach home by 9 pm. Usually I ate
boiled egg with Dal or vegetable for dinner. I appeared for examination. One paper was bit
difficult. But there was no point in worrying.
I enjoyed the period after examination as there was no tension of studying. I concentrated on
reading of ICAI, BCAS magazines assuming my success in the examination. Once again
I cleared the Final CA examination in January 1975 with flying colours, securing 48th Rank
all over India. My friend Jayant cleared only one group. Jayant was in Delhi on the day of
result. He informed the result to me.
My elder brother threw the grand party at Hotel Satkar, Opp. Girgaon Chowpatty. My eldest
brother gifted suit piece to me.
Now My next target was to secure a job before my articles get over on 13-06-1975. I was given
professional work as I had cleared the examination. I made it clear that I would leave the firm
as per my bond. I had not availed of excess leave and hence there was no question of extension
of training period.
I was given audit assignment of a large sized Solicitor firm in May 1975. I had to work
overtime to complete the assignment. Finally I completed the work on 13-06-1975 and
handed over the papers to the concerned partner on Friday, 13-06-1975 at about 8 pm. There
after, I was issued articled ship completion certificate for onward despatch to ICAI. One more
segment was behind me in my Life journey.
I reached home, totally tired and exhausted after my long chase of meeting education target.
New era in my Life (Occupational career) was about to begin as I was to join Crompton
Greaves Ltd. next day i.e. Saturday, 14-06-1975.

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