In conversation with US CPA alumni – Apurba Rath

How did you come to know about CPA?

I was a dedicated CA aspirant working-up articleship to get the best of the accounting advantage and had a faint knowledge about CPA. Until one day someone handed me a brochure of Miles Education and my life took a complete u-turn. Varun Jain had a huge impact on my thoughts about how to view the accounting world before I joined Miles. Where global credibility is concerned with opportunities to practice abroad, CPA was definitely the credential I was looking for and I happily skipped my CA preparation in the meantime.

What did you plan for your CPA preparation?

When I started my CPA journey I was still associated with the organization from where I was doing my articleship and I did not find it necessary to skip the work experience that I can have along with CPA preparation. I attended classroom lectures mostly which evened out my requirement to build up my concepts. Subject experts at Miles are excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed my learning with them. Alongside there was definitely a lot of reading, question-solving, and revisions involved to make my strategy work to get a CPA. 

What was your choice of Study Materials for your CPA preparation?

Miles concept books were the only material I referred to throughout my CPA preparation. The topics are very well explained in the books and the contents are presented in a way that works best for the CPA students. I used a lot of Varun’s pneumonics to memorize the concepts and they are so well thought that even today I can relate and remember them. Coming to the Miles OTB, it is pervasive and covers all topics and concepts which are frequently asked in exams. And for those who are about to appear for CPA, I would suggest going blindly on Miles materials and you catch up with the cut-off percentage, much faster.

Tell us how CPA has helped you progress with your career?

I completed my other two CPA exam a the end of March 2020. The Covid panic was at the brim and then by march situation worsened further. Certainly a  grim event in the corporate market yet I hardly experienced a drop in demand for CPA in the market. During the peak of the Covid crisis, CPA has landed me with two jobs and now I am a tax Consultant at Grant Thornton India LLP.

Share some tips for aspiring CPA candidates

• Miles Concept Books are enough for CPA preparation
• Plan ahead and execute 
• Cover as many OTB questions as possible
• Have the concepts at your fingertips