Vrinda Santhosh says, becoming an ACCA Affiliate was the result of a journey that combined academic preparation, persistence, and a clear career goal.
Let’s cover this rewarding yet challenging journey of one of our students, a BBA graduate in Finance and Accountancy from Christ University, Delhi NCR, where our academic collaboration through an MOU has helped create greater opportunities for students pursuing ACCA alongside their degree.
Vrinda completed her degree with nine ACCA exemptions, leaving her with four professional-level papers to clear. After an initial setback in SBR, she chose a more structured approach to complete the remaining papers.
Vrinda became an ACCA Affiliate in July 2026 and currently, she is building her career in Financial Due Diligence (FDD) in Mumbai, applying the knowledge and industry relevant skills gained during her ACCA journey to a professional finance role.
From UAE (Fujairah) to Christ University, Delhi: Finding Her Path in Finance
Vrinda shifted to Delhi as she was residing in Fujairah, UAE, where she was born and brought up. With roots in Kerala, she moved to Delhi specifically for her undergraduate studies at Christ University. She pursued a BBA in Finance and Accountancy, an integrated programme that also gave her nine ACCA exemptions.
However, finance was not her first career choice. Vrinda had initially considered hotel management, but the uncertainty surrounding the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic along with her family’s consciousness of her career made her reconsider her plans. Her natural interest in numbers, mathematics, and accountancy eventually led her towards finance.
“I always loved numbers, I loved Maths, I loved Accountancy, so it was a very natural path for me,” she recalls.
While exploring her options after choosing commerce, Vrinda considered CA as well as other professional qualifications before discovering ACCA. Its global recognition particularly appealed to her, as she saw it as a qualification that could offer greater flexibility if she decided to work abroad in the future. Her integrated programme at the University eventually gave her a strong starting point for the ACCA journey.
Nine Exemptions, Four Papers and a Three-Mark Setback
Vrinda received nine ACCA exemptions due to her qualification and she was just left with about passing four professional-level papers to complete her qualification.
She first attempted Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) in September 2024 while still in college. At the time, she relied mainly on her college classes and self-study but she says “I missed the passing mark by just three marks.”
Rather than immediately attempting the paper again, Vrinda chose to focus on her final semester and after graduating in 2025, she returned to her remaining ACCA papers with a more structured approach and a clear goal to complete them within a year.
One Year, Four Papers and a Clear Goal
Unlike her last attempt, she opted for structured ACCA coaching in Delhi itself and joined our integrated programme, which is even cost effective.
She thought of beginning her preparation with SBR, a paper she already had some familiarity with from her earlier attempt. And, Akhil Sir helped her map out her study plan and decide how to approach the remaining papers.
She then progressed to Advanced Financial Management (AFM) with Pushkar Sir, while Advanced Performance Management (APM) involved self-study. With a clear plan and consistent support of mentors, she completed all four remaining professional-level papers within the year.
“I had this one year, and it was a time that I fixed for myself. It was just a matter of proving it to myself that I needed to complete it in one year.”
Her experience also gave her a clear perspective on the difference between preparing alone and having structured guidance.
Mentorship That Went Beyond Exam Preparation
The support Vrinda received was not limited to classroom preparation only. It included personalised guidance through our KICN (Knowledge Integrated with Corporate Needs) teaching methodology, doubt sessions, LMS access, quality study notes and conceptual understanding with the help of case study discussions and real life examples.
She started particularly valuing mentorship more that remained accessible throughout her preparation as she had herself experienced self study.
Pushkar Sir regularly checked in with her through WhatsApp, while Akhil Sir also supported her with career guidance as she prepared to transition from student life to professional work.
Vrinda describes the relationship with her mentors as approachable and personal: “It was more of a friendship kind of thing—more cordial, more approachable.”
This support also proved valuable when she began preparing for her career beyond ACCA. As before moving to Mumbai, Akhil Sir encouraged her to embrace the initial challenges of her first professional role, surviving the tight situations and focus on gaining experience.
From ACCA Affiliate to a Career in Financial Due Diligence
After completing all four remaining professional-level papers, Vrinda became an ACCA Affiliate in July 2026. The achievement brought relief and happiness, but it also came with a new fear of what next? The question is generally frightening and exactly when you do not know what is there to arrive?
Her next step came in the form of a Financial Due Diligence (FDD) role in Mumbai. The transition from student life to a professional finance environment was challenging initially, but her ACCA learning soon began to find practical relevance.
“Now, while I am working, going through the weeks of the job, a lot of the learning that I’ve had in my academic journey do come back to me,” she says.
The early days also reminded her of advice she had received from her mentors. So, instead of cribbing and complaining, she adjusted to the pace and demands of her new role. She focused on learning, gaining experience and taking the opportunity one step at a time.
So, for Vrinda, becoming an ACCA Affiliate was therefore not the end of her journey. It was the beginning of applying her finance and accounting knowledge in a professional setting.
Vrinda’s Advice to Aspiring ACCA Students
Looking back at her journey, Vrinda describes it as both challenging and rewarding. The experience taught her that a setback does not have to determine the outcome, especially when there is a clear goal and the right support system.
And the mentorship she received helped her keep going and will motivate her to survive and keep going in the future as well. It was not just the coaching she received, it was about the lessons she learned that will motivate her lifelong.
“It was equally rewarding and challenging. At times I used to feel like, ‘I cannot do this.’ But then I had the faculties, my friends, my family—everyone to support me.”
Having experienced both self-study and structured coaching, she also understands the difference the right guidance can make.
“I have done both self-study and coaching, so I know how much the coaching made a difference.”
Her journey offers a simple takeaway for students considering ACCA: challenges are part of the process, but a defined goal, consistent preparation and timely guidance can help turn those challenges into progress.
If you are also thinking of building a career in the finance industry that can take you to heights, a considerably higher salary and a reputed lifestyle, you must consider opting for any of the global accounting and finance qualifications be it CFA, ACCA, CMA, CFP or any other as per your personal interests and career aspirations.
