Meet Aanchal, a Financial Analyst II at Intact Insurance and a proud May 2024 CFE writer. Originally from Delhi, India, and now living in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Aanchal’s journey to becoming a CPA is a remarkable story of perseverance, passion, and achieving dreams.
Why CPA?
For Aanchal, the CPA designation has always been a dream. “CPA is the most prestigious financial degree in Canada. I love my profession, hence, to accomplish the CPA degree was my dream from the time I entered into the industry,” she shares. This drive and ambition have been at the core of her journey, propelling her forward every step of the way.
A Surprising Revelation: Performance Management
Aanchal found the Performance Management course to be the most surprising. It wasn’t just about mastering content; it was about transforming her thought process. “I realized that there can always be more than one answer to a problem. The course changed the way I think, how I respond to any issue, and made me so much more confident with my thoughts,” Aanchal reflects. This newfound confidence has been a significant factor in her professional growth.
Balancing Life and Learning
What Aanchal appreciates most about the CPA program is its structure, which allows candidates to manage their studies alongside their busy personal and professional lives. “It definitely demands time and effort from your end; however, the structure of the program is the best part. A few hours every day and you can conquer everything,” she says. This flexibility was crucial for Aanchal, especially as she balanced her studies with the challenges of motherhood.
A Recommendation for the CPA Program
While Aanchal has no dislikes about the CPA program, she does have a suggestion: more personal interaction with leaders and fellow candidates. She thoroughly enjoyed Capstone 1 and believes that increased interaction would make the program even more engaging and enriching.
Meeting Expectations and More
The CPA program not only met but exceeded Aanchal’s expectations. “It widened my horizon a lot and gave me so much more confidence,” she shares. This newfound confidence has empowered her to take on new challenges and excel in her role at Intact Insurance.
Advice for Aspiring CPAs
Aanchal’s advice for those pursuing the CPA designation is simple yet profound: “Follow the program structure, understand the CPA way, focus on technical, and keep your focus. You will get there.” Her journey is a testament to the power of persistence and staying true to the process.
A Lifelong Dream Realized
Aanchal has been in the finance industry for 11 years, and becoming a CPA was always part of her career aspirations. Her journey began in 2017 when she moved to Canada as a transfer within her firm, joining as an Audit Senior with one of the Big Four accounting firms. “The amount of knowledge the partners possessed, their way of thinking, and how they tackled various situations with clients was astounding to me. Very early, I realized the CPA program is the answer to all my questions,” she recalls.
Being an immigrant presented its own set of challenges, including the need to complete additional PREP courses to qualify for the PEP program. But Aanchal was undeterred, knowing that this was her ultimate destination. “When COVID hit in 2020, I reached out to the CPA office, who were very kind to help me understand the course in depth. I enrolled in the first PREP course, and there was no looking back,” she shares.
The structure and resources of the CPA program, including the Knotia library, played a vital role in her success. Despite the challenges, including the arrival of her baby girl in November 2022, Aanchal continued her studies, taking a semester break and then utilizing her maternity leave to stay on track. “With a new baby, it was not easy; however, with a supportive family, I still went on. And finally cleared CFE in May 2024,” she proudly states.