A Chartered Accountancy (CA) student’s simple question about work hours and stipend before applying for an articleship position has ignited a debate on professional conduct within India’s accounting industry. The student alleged that a Faridabad-based firm responded by calling them “oversmart,” a remark that many online users described as insulting and unprofessional.
The controversy came to light through a Reddit post where the student shared a screenshot of the firm’s message and voiced concerns about the toxic work environment faced by CA students in certain firms.
A Conversation That Went Viral
According to the student’s post, they contacted a firm to inquire about expected working hours and the stipend being offered — both critical details for students undertaking the mandatory three-year articleship program in India. The student reasoned that asking upfront would help both the firm and applicant avoid wasting time if expectations didn’t align.
However, the firm’s abrupt reply — dismissing the query as “oversmart” — stunned the student. The student wrote, “If my timing can’t be adjusted, why would I waste time on interviews? I was trying to save the firm’s time too.”
The student’s experience quickly spread online after a screenshot of the conversation was shared, with many CA professionals and students expressing solidarity and outrage.
Social Media Reaction: Call for Transparency
The response from social media was swift. Numerous users criticized the firm’s attitude, describing it as symptomatic of a larger issue within the CA articleship system, where students often endure long working hours for meagre stipends.
One Reddit user encouraged the student to “name and shame” the company, while others shared their own experiences of working in firms with toxic environments. “I know how it feels to do articles in a toxic firm,” one user wrote, offering to help expose such practices.
While the student declined to reveal the firm’s identity, they confirmed it was a mid-sized company based in Faridabad. The episode has since reignited conversations about the lack of transparency in stipend disclosures and working conditions for CA trainees.
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Disagreement Over When to Discuss Pay
The incident also sparked a debate among professionals about when it’s appropriate to ask about stipends. Some argued that while inquiring about work timings is acceptable, stipend discussions should be left until the end of an interview.
However, others firmly disagreed. One commenter noted, “If firms expect to know a candidate’s qualifications and skills in advance, what’s stopping them from disclosing stipend details upfront? It saves time and effort for both sides. If not, it’s hypocrisy.”
This difference of opinion highlights an unresolved issue in India’s CA training system, where norms around candidate rights, firm responsibilities, and interview etiquette remain poorly defined.
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A Deeper Issue in India’s CA Articleship Culture
Articleship is a compulsory component of CA training in India, typically lasting three years under the supervision of a practicing Chartered Accountant. While the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) mandates minimum stipends and working conditions, reports of exploitative practices continue to emerge.
The incident has drawn attention to the challenges students face in negotiating fair treatment during their training years. Many online users pointed out that certain firms exploit students once their registration is complete, often requiring long work hours for below-market stipends.
The student later shared that they had accepted an offer from another firm offering ₹2.4 lakh per annum, suggesting a positive outcome despite the unpleasant experience.
The debate remains ongoing — but this incident has made one thing clear: India’s CA articleship system is long overdue for greater transparency, fairness, and mutual respect between firms and aspiring professionals.