Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3 out of 5)
I think most of us have heard that line at some point. “Aap toh CA hain.” It is usually said with a mix of admiration, assumption, and expectation. When I saw Memoirs of a CA – Aap Toh CA Hain, that phrase immediately stirred something familiar in me. Not because I am a Chartered Accountant, but because I have known many. Friends. Relatives. Colleagues. People whose lives were quietly shaped by discipline, pressure, and a sense of responsibility that often goes unseen.
In my years reviewing books, especially memoirs rooted in professional life, I have learned to listen closely to tone. Some books try to glorify struggle. Some try to romanticize success. This one, from the very way it presents itself, felt different. It felt personal. Almost like someone finally sitting down and saying, let me tell you what it actually felt like.
Honestly, that made me slow down. And that is usually a good sign.
What the Book Is About
Memoirs of a CA – Aap Toh CA Hain by Sanjivv Shiv Kapoor is not a technical book about Chartered Accountancy. That becomes clear very quickly. It is a human story shaped by a profession, not defined by it.
From the blurb and author profile, the book traces more than thirty five years of lived experience. It speaks about the long study hours that stretch patience thin. The unpredictability of articleship, where theory meets reality in uncomfortable ways. The tension of exam results that can feel like life pauses around a single envelope or screen. And the quiet, deeply personal pride of finally earning those two letters, CA.
What stood out to me is that this is not framed as a straight success story. It is a tapestry of trials, relationships, and small realizations that accumulate over time. The author reflects not just on professional milestones, but on what the journey demands emotionally. Persistence. Waiting. Self doubt. And, eventually, perspective.
The author profile adds an important layer here. Sanjivv Shiv Kapoor is not only a seasoned Chartered Accountant, but also a writer, reader, and photographer. His life moves between numbers, words, and images, and that blend of precision and reflection shapes the way this memoir seems to unfold. It is not just about audits and accounts. It is about the person behind them.
What Stood Out to Me
In my experience reviewing professional memoirs, many struggle to balance honesty with hindsight. This one appears to embrace hindsight without erasing the confusion of earlier years.
What stood out to me most is the emphasis on patience. Not the motivational poster version of patience, but the lived kind. Waiting through exam cycles. Waiting through uncertainty. Waiting to feel settled in your own skin. That is something many readers, especially younger ones, will recognize even outside the CA world.
I was also struck by how the book seems to treat the profession as a backdrop rather than a pedestal. Yes, there is pride in being a CA. But there is also humility. An awareness that titles do not insulate you from doubt or emotional fatigue.
The author’s background as a regular contributor to magazines and blogs, and his interest in philosophy and spirituality, suggests that the writing likely leans reflective rather than rigid. That matters. Memoirs work best when they allow space for vulnerability, and this one seems willing to do that.
The Emotional Core
At its heart, Memoirs of a CA – Aap Toh CA Hain feels like a book about identity. About how a profession slowly becomes part of how the world sees you, and sometimes how you see yourself.
I imagine moments in the book where pride and pressure sit side by side. Where being “the CA” in the room brings respect, but also expectation. Where mistakes feel heavier because of the label attached to your name.
Honestly, I felt this book would resonate with anyone who has ever been reduced to a title, even one they worked hard to earn. There is a quiet ache in that. And also a quiet strength.
What I appreciated is that the emotional tone does not seem bitter. It feels accepting. Reflective. Like someone looking back not to settle scores, but to understand the shape of their own life better.
Who This Book Is For
This book will naturally appeal to Chartered Accountants, CA aspirants, and finance professionals. They will likely see themselves in the long nights, the exam anxiety, the professional pride.
But I also think this book is for anyone interested in what sustained effort over decades actually looks like. Students figuring out their path. Professionals mid career, wondering if the sacrifices were worth it. Even readers outside finance who enjoy memoirs rooted in real work and real life.
That said, if you are looking for technical guidance or exam strategies, this may not fully meet that expectation. This is not a how to book. It is a how it felt book.
Final Thoughts
In 2025, when careers are often presented as highlight reels, Memoirs of a CA – Aap Toh CA Hain feels grounding. It reminds us that behind every respected title is a person who waited, worried, learned, and grew slowly.
As an editor, I value memoirs that resist exaggeration. This one seems to honor the ordinary moments that actually shape a life. The author’s long professional journey, combined with his reflective writing voice, gives the book a sense of quiet authority.
There may be readers who wish certain episodes were explored in even greater detail. That is a fair desire. But overall, the book seems to know its purpose. To document a life honestly. To say, this is what it meant to me.
And that, I think, is enough.
FAQ
Is Memoirs of a CA worth reading?
If you enjoy honest professional memoirs that focus on lived experience rather than advice, it is worth your time.
Who should read Memoirs of a CA – Aap Toh CA Hain?
CA aspirants, finance professionals, and readers interested in long career journeys.
Is this book only for Chartered Accountants?
No. While rooted in the CA profession, its themes of persistence and identity are widely relatable.
What kind of book is Memoirs of a CA?
It is a reflective memoir centered on career, patience, and personal growth.
With over 11 years of experience in the publishing industry, Priya Srivastava has become a trusted guide for hundreds of authors navigating the challenging path from manuscript to marketplace. As Editor-in-Chief of Deified Publications, she combines the precision of a publishing professional with the empathy of a mentor who truly understands the fears, hopes, and dreams of both first-time and seasoned writers.