#ca final

i have online classes from 8 am in the morning till 3 pm. so, i attended all of three 2 hour long lectures and made notes. i have 2 months-ish worth of backlog because i started the classes this week, while the batch started way back in april lol.

after a little lunch break, i revised for a hour and then went to the gym. i got back after two hours and then i spent the evening studying business law’s chapter and bank reconciliation statement in accounts. my head was hurting like crazy and it’s only day one so i’m stressed how i’ll get through this. i also watched like 3 episodes of suits lol.

at night i wanted to study for another hour but instead i spent making content for my writersgram and writing my novel while listening to music.

i’d say i was productive and had a good satisfactory day xx

with love,

deeya.

i'm going to be completely honest and say that i had no motivation to do anything. i hardly wanted to get out of bed. i woke up at 7:30 and made myself a cold coffee because that's the only thing that helps me wake up. my classes started at 8 am & continued till 12:30 pm. the third class was at 2:30 so i decided to go the gym in the break. after i got back, i was so tired and did not want to study at all so i skipped the last class and watched suits instead 😭😭

then i took a nap for an hour, scrolled through instagram and hung out with my brother for a bit. then two of my friends called & we talked for like two hours lol while i drank another coffee ahm ahm

now it's sort of my bedtime and i promised myself that i'd complete brs today after dinner but my laptop is dead and the lights are off because there is a storm going on outside. so no charge, no lecture video 💀💀

now i'll sleep and i promise i'll do better tomorrow xx

with love,

In 2026, a career as a CA (chartered accountant) is among the most respected and monetarily rewarding careers in India.

Working at the Big 4 — Deloitte, PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) India, EY (Ernst & Young) India, and KPMG (Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler) — is still the ultimate dream for many qualified CAs in the Southeast Asian country.

These firms are reputed for their powerful brand value, structured career growth, global exposure, and attractive compensation packages. In 2026, the hiring landscape has become more competitive and more rewarding for CA freshers.

The Big 4 Ecosystem — Understanding It

The Big 4 firms dominate the consulting and accounting industries throughout the world. In India specifically, they are among the top recruiters of freshly qualified CAs. Their services are not limited to statutory audit and include:

• Risk advisory • ESG (environmental, social, and governance) consulting • Tax consultancy • Technology transformation • Financial due diligence • Analytics and cybersecurity • Acquisitions and mergers

So, for a CA fresher, joining a Big 4 firm is often supposed to be a launchpad instead of being a long-term destination. Big 4 in 2026 — Average CA Fresher Salary

In 2026, most CA freshers joining one of the Big 4 firms can expect to earn between INR 800,000 and INR 12,00,000 a year. However, exceptional candidates, professionals entering specialized advisory domains, and rank holders can expect to earn even higher salaries.

The following table provides a broad estimate of fresher salary ranges in the Big 4 companies:

Firm Estimated Annual Salary Range Deloitte - INR 9,00,000 — INR 12,00,000 EY INR — 8,50,000 — INR 11,50,000 PwC INR — 8,00,000 — INR 11,00,000 KPMG INR — 8,00,00 — INR 10,50,000 Big 4 — Which One Pays the Most among Them?

Out of the 4 firms, Deloitte is frequently supposed to be slightly ahead of the rest when it comes to compensation paid to freshers. This is especially so in advisory and consulting roles. However, the difference is no more than marginal.

• More experts these days believe that the service line is more important than the firm where you work.

• For example, a deals advisory role at EY might help you earn more than a statutory audit role at Deloitte.

A risk consulting role at PwC might offer higher bonuses than traditional assurance services at KPMG. Service Lines and Salary Differences

You would not get the same payment at the same department across all the Big 4 firms. In specific domains, you get higher salaries because of client demand and specialized expertise.

The four most important domains in this context are statutory audit, taxation, transaction and deals advisory, and risk consulting and advisory.

The following table shows the salaries in these lines: Line Estimated Annual Salary Range Transaction and deals advisory INR 10,00,000 — INR 14,00,000 Risk consulting and advisory INR 9,00,000 — INR 13,00,000 Statutory audit INR 8,00,000 — INR 12,00,000 Taxation INR 8,50,000 — INR 11,00,000

Off-Campus Hiring and Campus Placement: A Comparison

Placement by ICAI (The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) campus placements are still among the most prominent recruitment channels for Big 4 firms. Candidates selected by way of campus drives normally receive standard salary structures.

However, off-campus hiring has also picked up quite a lot in 2026. This has happened because of factors like the expansion of consulting divisions, the growth of GCCs (global capability centers) in India, greater demand for finance professionals, and continued requirement for lateral recruitment.

Salary Variations Based On Cities

Location also plays a major role in determining the salary you get as a fresher CA. The following table lists the highest-paying cities in this regard and the next in line: Highest-Paying Cities Moderate-Paying Cities • Mumbai • Bengaluru • Gurgaon • Hyderabad • Kolkata • Pune • Chennai • Ahmedabad

The highest-paying cities offer higher CTCs (costs to company) because of factors like bigger client portfolios, greater demand for consulting, and higher living costs.

The compensation might be a bit lower in the moderate-paying cities, but the low costs of living make it a whole lot more manageable.

Big 4 Firms — What Benefits Do They Offer? The benefits offered by the Big 4 are not limited to high salaries. They also offer you several other benefits that make the overall package a whole lot more valuable: • Performance bonuses • Exposure to international projects • Opportunities for hybrid work • Paid educational programs • Health insurance • Initiatives for employee wellness • Support for professional certification

Some firms also offer additional valuable benefits such as joining bonuses, relocation assistance, retention bonuses, and skill development sponsorships.

Challenges You Should Expect In These Companies as a Fresher While the salaries are attractive, working at the Big 4 can be rather demanding. Freshers often have to deal with challenges like long working hours, high client expectations, tight deadlines, and fast-paced learning environments.

If you work in taxation and auditing roles, the pressure during peak season can be rather intense. However, the learning curve can be just as rewarding. In 2–3 years, you will gain exposure that will take you longer in smaller firms.

Career Growth in the Long Term Long-term career acceleration is the real advantage of becoming a part of the Big 4. As a fresher, you may be earning between INR 900,000 and INR 10,00,000 a year now. However, you can later progress to: • Finance manager roles • CFO (chief financial officer) tracks • Strategy consulting • Global leadership positions • Investment banking support

The best part of this is that such commendable growth can happen within a decade!

A lot of professionals get substantial salary hikes when they go to work in industry roles from the Big 4.

Final Thoughts As a CA fresher in 2026, the Big 4 still represent some of the strongest career starting points in the consulting and finance industry of India. Starting salaries right now at their healthiest best and for the most freshers earn between INR 800,000 and INR 12,00,000 each year, based on location and specialization.

In the final phase of CA exam preparation, many students unknowingly compromise their sleep to gain extra study hours. Late-night studying, irregular sleep schedules and afternoon naps may seem productive, but they often reduce concentration, memory recall and writing stamina during the actual exam. A disrupted sleep routine can prevent even well-prepared students from performing at their best. Establishing a disciplined daily routine that balances study and rest, supported by structured guidance such as CA Mentorship, helps students align their mental peak with exam hours and convert preparation into performance.

How Can Improving Your Sleep Routine Boost CA Exam Results?

The last 15 days before the CA Final exam are often filled with pressure, self-doubt and fear of incomplete preparation. However, this phase is not meant for learning new topics but for strengthening what you already know. Smart revision, focused writing practice and proper time management can significantly improve exam performance. Instead of panicking, students should concentrate on revising completed portions, practicing RTPs and MTPs and securing easy marks through MCQs. Structured preparation supported by a CA Final Test Series helps convert months of hard work into confident exam execution.

How Should You Use the Last 15 Days to Maximise Your CA Final Score?

The CA Foundation exam is the first step toward becoming a Chartered Accountant and many non-commerce students often worry about whether the syllabus is too challenging for them. The syllabus includes accounting, business law, economics and business mathematics subjects that may feel unfamiliar at first for students without a commerce background. However, with a structured study plan, conceptual clarity and regular practice, the syllabus is very much manageable. Using the CA Foundation Test Series helps non-commerce students build confidence, understand exam patterns and gradually strengthen weak areas through consistent evaluation and revision.

What Is the CA Foundation Syllabus All About? Is Accounting Hard for Non-Commerce Students? How Can Business Law Be Understood Easily? Does Economics Favor Non-Commerce Backgrounds? How Does a Test Series Support Preparation? 

Success in CA Inter theory papers depends heavily on how well students execute their exam-day strategy. Smart revision, clear answer presentation and effective time management can significantly influence final scores, even if preparation levels are similar. The exam day is not meant for learning new concepts but for confidently applying what has already been prepared. Regular practice and exam simulation through CA Test Series help students develop the right mindset and discipline needed to perform under pressure.

How Can Smart Revision, Presentation and Time Management Improve Scores?

Preparing for the CA exams requires more than just hard work, it demands the right strategy, expert guidance and consistent practice. Chennai has become a preferred destination for CA aspirants because of its experienced faculty, ICAI-aligned teaching methods and structured study plans. The best coaching centers focus on concept clarity, regular practice and strong exam discipline. Students who enroll in CA Final Classes gain access to standardized materials, clear explanations and personalized support that help them stay ahead in their preparation.

Why Are Mock Tests and Performance Tracking Essential for Scoring High?