But before the mithai even finishes, one question starts running in your head on loop: Big 4, industry, or own practice? What to expect:Working hours are often (not always) more manageable than Big 4 audit season. Practice income depends entirely on your client base and specialisation — GST, direct tax, forensic audit, virtual CFO services for startups, and so on. The Middle Path Nobody Talks About EnoughNot every CA fresher has to pick between “Big 4” and “everything else.” Another common route: join Big 4 or industry for 3–5 years, save up, build a specialisation, and then start your own practice with more confidence and a head start on clients.