Five years ago, Nitish Sachar, Assurance Associate at EY and a Chartered Accountants Ireland student, was in India drawing up his plan for the future. Now, in Ireland, he has a master’s degree in accountancy and is on his way to becoming a Chartered Accountant
Five years ago, where did you think you would be now? Have you lived up to your own expectations?
Five years ago, I was fresh out of my graduation. I wanted to move far away from India and experience life. At the same time, though, I didn’t want to leave my career. This led me to dream about doing a master’s degree.
In the past five years, I have fulfilled some of my goals – getting a master’s and being financially independent but there is still more to achieve.
What has been the biggest challenge of your career?
My biggest challenge has been getting back to studies after working for three years. This wasn’t an isolated challenge, as I was also facing hurdles moving countries and trying to establish my roots in a different city and culture. However, it was more difficult (and more fulfilling) than I had anticipated.
What do you wish you had known earlier in life?
I wish I had known earlier the true value of networking and mentorship.
While technical skills and hard work are critical, building meaningful professional relationships and seeking guidance from experienced mentors can open opportunities and provide valuable insights.
Early in my career, I focused mainly on individual performance, but I have realised how collaboration, feedback and connections play a major role in long-term career development and personal growth.
Where do you see yourself this time next year?
I hope with a salary increment — just kidding!
Hopefully, by this time next year, I will have completed more than half of my Chartered Accountancy exams and I will be well prepared for those that remain.
I also plan on having my driving license sorted by then.
Right now, my focus is on steady progress, both professionally and personally.
Who inspires you, personally and professionally?
I am personally and professionally inspired by my brother.
We have shared a very similar path — attending the same universities and following almost the same career trajectory.
Throughout my journey, he has been a mentor, guide and constant source of encouragement. Watching his progress in overcoming professional challenges and building a strong career has given me a clear example to aspire to.
His work ethic, resilience and willingness to support others have had a lasting impact on me. If I can achieve even half of what he has accomplished in the next five years, I will consider it a great success.
His mentorship has taught me to stay patient, focused and committed to continuous learning, and it motivates me every day to push myself toward higher goals.
How do you think being a Chartered Accountant will change the course of your career?
Becoming a Chartered Accountant will give me a globally recognised qualification that opens doors to opportunities across industries and geographies. It will offer greater career mobility and make it easier to work internationally, which is something I aspire to.
On a personal level, achieving the ACA designation would represent a significant milestone — a validation of years of learning, persistence and growth. Beyond the technical expertise, the training will deepen my understanding of how businesses operate strategically and financially, sharpening my ability to think like a business leader. In the long term, I believe this broader perspective will be invaluable as I work toward building and managing my own business in the future.
If you weren't training to be a Chartered Accountant, what do you think you'd be doing?
If I weren’t training to be a Chartered Accountant, I would likely work in a people-focused industry.
I genuinely enjoy talking to people, understanding their work and learning about their experiences. Any career that allows me to engage with individuals and gain insight into different perspectives would have been a great fit.
Interestingly, this is also one of the aspects I appreciate about training as a Chartered Accountant — it offers opportunities to work closely with clients, understand their businesses and build meaningful professional relationships.
What advice do you have for those considering training as a Chartered Accountants?
My advice would be to plan the journey a little in advance and be ready to balance work and study — it's definitely a juggling act, but a rewarding one.
Having some real-world experience can make the learning much more relatable. From my own experience, it’s never too late to study (trust me, late-night study sessions become a lifestyle!). Becoming a Chartered Accountant means committing to continuous learning, but the skills and confidence you gain along the way make every effort worth it.
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