How can we know if one firm is good to join for an articleship?

This is one question I’ll answer shamelessly and with full honesty. While choosing a firm take into account the following points.

• Office timings: While CA offices generally follow timings similar to 10 to 6, many offices tend to be too strict with respect to timings while few are lenient. If you intend to do a side course along with CA or attend daily classes I recommend a firm that is more lenient and allows you to come late due to classes.

• Overtime: whether overtime is a regular instance in the office, or no? If yes whether does the office compensate in monetary terms or provide set off for overtime hours? Trust me you do not want to end up stuck in a firm which makes you do overtime throughout the year without even giving comp-offs.

• Leaves: Whether the leave policy is favorable? How much leave will the office allow me? Will I be paid for my leaves? Will my leaves above the basic limit be added to my extension? These are some basic questions you need to get cleared because you don’t want to end up working for a firm that doesn’t even give you a 3–4 month leave for CA final.

• Transfer policy & Industrial training: There are times when things don’t get along well with the firm you initially join in, and when you ask that you want to transfer to someone else many of the small firms tend to get in the way by refusing to sign the form. I’m such cases it is recommended to clear out this issue by going through the policy for transfers before joining. Similarly, many people end up tired working for a stingy CA firm and prefer joining the industry with goals to be absorbed by the same after completing the course. In such a case you may want to get this issue cleared with your prospective employer because you will not be able to opt for Industrial training unless your employer signs.

• Stipend & Work atmosphere: Honestly, how much a firm pays its articles pretty much describes the level at which it operates. A small firm paying stipend as per the minimum requirement by ICAI will be too shady, generate low revenue, have low IT & infrastructure and thus won’t be a good choice. Similarly, a firm paying a lot of money will expect you to work long hours to extract what they pay you but will surely provide you with proper resources.

• Firm hierarchy and client portfolio: If the heirarchy of the firm is small, then it is pretty much an articles dependent firm and you will get your fair share of exposure to the assignments. If the firm has a long heirarchy you will be stuck on the whims and fancies of your audit manager (who may most likely be an asshole who dumps his work onto you). Similarly it is recommended you look into the client portfolio of the firm with respect to what it does and which clients does it service and whether the services provided by the firm are in line with your personal goals.

I’m pretty sure the above points cover more than enough information to suitably answer your question. To find out honest answers to the above questions, I recommend you do the following:

1. Prepare a questionnaire based on the above list and ask the same from the interviewer during the interview itself.
2. If possible wait around in the CA’s office till lunchtime and meet up with the Articles working there, ask them about the true nature & state of the firm. They will surely give you an honest answer.
3. Delay filing form 102, 103 & 112 with ICAI, don’t file these forms for a month or 2 (pay the late fees), once you file these forms the contract will bind you with a lot of restraints. If you don’t find the firm in order then, simply leave, if you do, then feel free to submit the form.

Hope this helps.