"Many of my CA friends were already into freelancing and were doing well. So I decided to follow suit; it made more sense than waiting for that big break," he reveals.

Freelancing gave Mayank a reality check on the practicalities of the profession and also a chance to hone his skills. Three years down the line, a portfolio of successful assignments landed him a plum managerial job with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India Pvt. Ltd.

Moral of the story: whether you are a fresher or a seasoned CA, freelancing can open many avenues to earn as well as advance your career.

Getting Started

Target

Make a copy of your resume and begin by targeting small firms, NGOs and professionals such as doctors, lawyers etc. They are always on the look out for part-time accountants to do their tax and audits.

Alternatively search job websites and contact job consultants. Accounting and audit assignments are advertised regularly on sites such as:

• seekandsource
• naukrihub
• kpoweb

Many accounting firms also advertise in CA and the Bombay Chartered Accountants Society (BCAS) journals. All accountancy related newsletters and magazines are a great source for job advertisements.

Prepare

• Spread the word around. Network among friends, relatives, social clubs, educational institutions etc.
• Develop communication and presentation skills. Read newspapers, join a public speaking course, debate club etc. Find an experienced CA to be your mentor, who can guide you and give feedback on your reports and other write-ups.
• Invest some time and money to upgrade or learn new technical skills. A thorough knowledge of software's such as MS Office, Oracle Finance, People Soft, SAP, Tally etc. is an asset to your repertoire.

KPO Specific Skills

Account outsourcing (KPO) also offers freelance jobs. However, to explore opportunities in KPO's would require knowledge of certain specific systems and software's. These involve:

• Accounting procedures followed by companies in USA, UK or other countries.
• Knowledge of software's such as Quick Books, MYOB, and SAGE.
• Skills in using tax return software such as Ultra Tax etc.

Investment

Specialisation courses in accounting would require you to shell out between Rs.1000 to Rs.25000. Accounting software courses would range between Rs.2000 to Rs.15000.