Passing the Chartered Accountancy exams is a significant achievement, regardless of the number of attempts. For those in the “multiple attempts” category, there can be a concern about facing bias in the job market. Job descriptions often state “first attempt preferred,” which can lead to questions about career prospects. The challenge is understandable, especially when hunting for that first job. While a bias can exist, it is not a career-ending obstacle. This guide provides a plan to shift the narrative from academic delays to resilience, perseverance, and real-world skills. The goal is to help recruiters focus on the value a candidate offers, not the number of exam attempts. After a few years in the field, experienced professionals often note that professional accomplishments become more important than exam history.

Why Multiple Attempts Matter to Recruiters

To address the bias, it is helpful to understand its origins. For recruiters at large firms, sifting through thousands of applications can be a challenge. Using the number of attempts is a method to narrow down the candidate pool. This serves as a shortcut in the screening process.

This bias is typically most prominent at the beginning of a career. As one CA on Reddit mentioned, “attempt matters only in 1st job. That too more on on campus.” After gaining a few years of professional experience, performance and skills generally become more important than exam history.

Let’s look at what you’re up against with different kinds of companies:

1. 1. Blue-chip MNCs & Big 4 Firms: These giants often have pretty rigid HR policies. For entry-level jobs, an algorithm or an initial screening might automatically toss out candidates who don’t meet a certain “attempt” number. Getting your foot in the door here can be tough at first, but it’s not impossible later in your career, especially if you have a strong network referral.

1. 1. Tier 2 Firms, Startups & Mid-Sized Companies: This is where there is an opportunity to stand out. These companies are usually more flexible and practical. They’re looking for people with hands-on skills who can get started and add value right away. They are much more likely to be impressed by your articleship experience than worried about your exam schedule.

Here’s a quick summary of how different companies might see your application:

The First Job Playbook

After the CA exams, the primary mission is to land a first job to gain experience and build a resume. This may not be the “dream job” at a top firm. Consider the first job as a launchpad. It is an opportunity to spend the next two or three years building a history of real-world achievements. This experience will help make attempts a less significant factor in future job applications. The focus should be on learning, taking on challenging projects, and documenting accomplishments.

Here’s the mindset to have for your first job search:

• • Prioritize experience over salary: Your immediate goal is to get in the door and start building your professional credibility. The power to ask for a higher salary comes after you’ve shown what you can do in a real job.

• • Focus on learning and delivering: Soak up everything you can. Put your hand up for challenging projects. This is where you’ll get the measurable achievements that will completely change your resume for your next role.

• • Build your network: Don’t just stay at your desk. As successful CAs often suggest, start building your professional network from day one. Build relationships across departments with people in sales, operations, and marketing. You never know where your next opportunity or a key referral might come from.

How to Reframe Your Narrative on a Resume

A resume is a key marketing tool. It should tell a story of resilience and skill, not academic delays. The primary strategy is to emphasize practical abilities through quantified proof, thereby overshadowing the number of attempts.

Highlighting Practical Achievements Over Academic History

First things first, change the layout of your resume. Don’t start with your education. After your name and a strong professional summary, your “Work Experience” or “Articleship Highlights” section should be next. You want the first thing a recruiter sees to be your hands-on experience, not your exam history.

Next, turn your responsibilities into achievements. Recruiters have seen generic phrases like “handled tax audits” frequently. It is more effective to show the impact of your work.

• • Instead of: “Handled tax audits and GST compliance.”

• • Write: “Assisted in the statutory tax audit for a manufacturing client with a ₹500 Cr turnover, identifying a potential tax saving of ₹15 Lakhs through detailed analysis of GST input credits.”

See the difference? The second one tells a story of value. It shows you’re not just checking boxes; you’re a proactive professional who helps the bottom line.

Quantifying Your Value with Real Metrics

Numbers provide concrete evidence. They offer solid proof of your contributions. Recruiters understand metrics like cost savings, efficiency gains, and revenue impact. Review your articleship experience for quantifiable results.

Here are a few examples to get you started:

• • Process Improvement: “Cut the month-end closing time by 30% by creating and using a new reconciliation checklist.”

• • Cost Savings: “Carried out a financial audit that led to a $50,000 cost saving by finding redundant software subscriptions.”

• • Revenue & Collections: “Lowered outstanding receivables by 25% in six months by designing and rolling out a new follow-up system.”

• • Accuracy: “Found and fixed $20,000 in accounting errors from a previous financial year.”

Even small numbers can make a big impression. They prove you think commercially and are focused on results.

Building an ATS-Friendly Resume

Up to 75% of applicants are rejected by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) before a human reviews their resume. These automated systems scan resumes for keywords and specific formatting. It is important to ensure your resume is structured to pass through these systems.

Sprinkle keywords from the job description naturally into your achievement bullet points. For instance, if the job description mentions “financial modeling,” make sure you have a bullet point that says something like, “Developed a new financial model to forecast quarterly revenue, improving accuracy by 15%.” This shows you have the skill and have used it well.

Create a ATS-friendly resume with our Resume Builder.

A 3-Year Plan to Make Attempts Irrelevant

Securing the first job is a significant step. Once employed, the focus shifts from job searching to performing well in the role. This three-year plan is designed to make the number of attempts a less relevant part of your career history.

Deliver Undeniable Value

Your performance on the job is the great equalizer. Exam scores become less relevant when you save the company a crore on a tax case or improve the efficiency of an audit process.

Focus on creating real, measurable value. Go beyond your job description. Understand the business from top to bottom. Spend time on the factory floor to see how costs add up. Talk to the sales team to get their perspective. Use your financial skills to offer insights that help other departments win.

After two or three years of this kind of high-impact work, your professional reputation will be built on your results. A user on Reddit shared an inspiring story of a CA with four attempts who, after three years of solid post-qualification experience, landed a banking job at 50 LPA. Your performance is what opens doors.

Build Your Professional Brand and Network

When you consistently do great work, people notice. Your manager, your coworkers, and even people in other departments will start to see you as a reliable, top performer. Your reputation will start to do the work for you.

At this point, the power has completely shifted. You are no longer “the candidate with multiple attempts.” You are the proven expert in financial reporting, the go-to person for tricky tax issues, or the analyst who always finds the story in the data. The one who can now look for next career move with confidence, backed by a portfolio of achievements and a network of people who will vouch.

Your Past Does Not Define Your Future

The path to qualification may have been challenging, but this process can build resilience, which is a valuable professional trait.

Here are the key takeaways:

1. 1. The first job is the biggest hurdle. Be strategic, be flexible, and focus on getting your foot in the door to get that all-important post-qualification experience.

1. 1. Your resume is your story. You’re in control of the narrative. Reframe it to highlight your resilience, practical skills, and measurable achievements.

1. 1. Your performance is all that matters long-term. Outwork, out-learn, and out-deliver. Build a reputation based on real value, and your attempts will become a non-issue.

The journey to qualification builds determination and prepares individuals for real-world challenges. Let your experience, not your attempts, be the focus. Use our Resume Scorer to see how your CV stacks up against job descriptions and get past the filters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 Is it possible for a CA with multiple attempts to get a job in a Big 4 firm?

A: It’s challenging for a first job directly after qualifying, as Big 4 firms often use attempts as an initial filter. However, it’s definitely possible to join a Big 4 later in your career after gaining 2-3 years of solid experience elsewhere. At that point, your practical skills and achievements matter far more than your exam history.

Q.2 How should I address being a CA with multiple attempts during an interview?

A: Be honest but brief. Acknowledge it, but immediately pivot to what you learned from the experience, such as resilience, perseverance, and problem-solving. Frame it as a testament to your determination and then quickly shift the conversation back to your practical skills and articleship experience.

Q.3 Does the salary for a CA with multiple attempts differ from a first-attempt CA?

A: For the very first job, there might be a slight difference in offers, particularly from large firms that value academic performance highly. However, this gap disappears after your first job. Your salary in subsequent roles will be based on your performance, skills, and the value you bring, not your number of attempts.

Q.4 What is the most important section on a resume for a CA with multiple attempts?

A: The “Work Experience” or “Articleship Highlights” section is the most critical. It should be placed right after your professional summary and before your education. This section is your chance to showcase quantified achievements and prove your practical value, making the number of attempts a secondary detail.

Q.5 After how many years of experience does being a CA with multiple attempts stop mattering?

A: Generally, after 2-3 years of post-qualification experience, the number of attempts becomes almost completely irrelevant. Recruiters and hiring managers will be focused on your job performance, specific accomplishments, and the expertise you’ve developed in the field.

Q.6 What are the best industries for a CA with multiple attempts to apply for a first job?

A: Mid-sized companies, Tier 2 firms, and startups are often the best places to start. These organizations are typically more flexible in their hiring criteria and place a higher value on practical skills and a candidate’s ability to contribute from day one, rather than focusing strictly on academic records.