Urusula Trouchet was a CA Campus student when she completed her CTA. She is currently preparing for SAICA’s June 2019 ITC.

Where are you currently working and in what position?

I am an audit senior in a medium-sized auditing firm.

Why do you want to become a CA (SA)?

I wanted a qualification that was useful and would ensure employment and job security.

What is your dream job after completing articles?

My dream job would be a form of self-employment, such as a specialist consultant.

What were your first thoughts/feelings when you heard you had passed CTA?

Absolute shock as I had convinced myself that I didn’t make it.

What has been the most challenging part of your journey so far?

Definitely attempting CTA numerous times. That was probably the hardest mental struggle of my journey so far, affecting my confidence the most, and it took me the longest time to achieve it – having attempted both Level 1 and Level 2 a few times respectively through Unisa.

In what way did CA Campus most assist you with your studies and passing your exams?

I just couldn’t make the transition from undergrad to CTA in Management Accounting and Tax.  I failed Management Accounting and Tax hopelessly the first few years of attempting CTA Level 1.  If not for Sara, Roulon and CA Campus assisting me to understand the subjects and what was actually being asked, how to answer the questions and understand the scenarios, I would never have made it at all.

QUESTIONS ON CTA

Were you a full-time or a part-time student during your CTA year?

I have been a part-time student my whole CA journey.

What was the most challenging part of your CTA year?

Finding the confidence to believe I could pass after having failed so many times previously.

How did you keep sane during your CTA year?

I would read a book (anything not accounting related) from cover to cover, just to remind myself that there was more to life.  Then I would go back and carry on with the studying.

What is the biggest piece of advice you can give CTA students ?

First: Don’t give up.  You have to keep going if you want to succeed at anything.

Second: As hard as it is, try and stay positive.  It’s bloody hard, but necessary.

Third: Practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice. Do the questions under exam conditions.

Also, speak to someone who has walked this road before. Not everyone understands what we go through.  Family and friends just see a diploma, which anyone can get – right?  Surely it cannot be that hard – right?

But it is a hard road, a long road, and sometimes a very lonely road.  If you are feeling stressed, anxious, angry, depressed – reach out to your peers and lecturers. There is always someone willing to listen and help.

What did you do in preparation for your CTA exam?

Practiced, practiced, practiced, and kept practicing questions under exam conditions.  It is really the most important aspect of the journey.

5 out of the Top 20 Unisa students studied with CA Campus in 2018.

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