Date:14/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/14/stories/2006081407960500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

This accountant is inspired by yoga, classical music

Anil Kumar Sastry

Guruprasad Kasaravalli

BANGALORE: Getting qualified as a chartered accountant even before completing articleship, that too, with an excellent performance in one of the toughest examinations conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), is a commendable achievement.

This youngster from Bangalore secured 22nd rank in the All-India final examination conducted by the institute in May. Over 9,930 students cleared the examination.

A thrilled Guruprasad Kasaravalli attributes his success to a well-organised study-cum-practical work. He said that his penchant for yoga and classical music helped him to focus more on the task in hand.

The eligibility norms allow an intern to appear for the examination six months before the completion of articleship - after two-and-a-half years of taking up the course. Mr. Kasaravalli appeared for the examination for Group I and Group II at one go after completing his two-and-a-half years of articleship and came out with flying colours. Of the 459 candidates who appeared for the final examination conducted for both the groups by the institute's Bangalore chapter during May, only 72 passed.

Initially, he joined M/s RSM & Co., Chartered Accountants (August 2003 to February 2004) before joining M/s ARV & Co., Chartered Accountants (March 2004) for internship after passing the B. Com. and intermediate examinations.

Mr. Kasaravalli was inspired by his father, K.S. Sridhara Murthy, himself a senior chartered accountant. He secured 20th rank in the SSLC examination (94.24 per cent) in 1997. He had his schooling at Jana Seva Vidya Kendra, Chennenahalli, and he joined Vijaya College, Basavanagudi, for pre-university and B.Com. degree.

Mr. Kasaravalli said he used to constantly update his knowledge with inputs during practical work. He started concentrating on studies only in October 2005 after joining a coaching institute.

He is keen on Carnatic and light music. Yoga, meditation and the Vedas are among his other interests.

With a flair for tax laws, he is keen on pursuing a career by joining a tax consultancy firm or taking up employment on tax matters.