Darsh Ghia’s remarkable journey as an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) student reached a major milestone when he ranked first in Kenya and fifth globally in the Audit and Assurance paper — one of the most challenging exams in the qualification. It was a moment of disbelief and celebration, a turning point that affirmed not only his academic strength but also his deep connection to the world of audit.

Darsh Ghia, a name he says was borrowed from Lord Krishna, one of the most revered gods in his culture, known for his clarity of vision and unwavering focus, grew up in Kisumu, where he attended Kisumu Senior Academy and excelled in all his subjects. “Not to flaunt,” he laughs, “but I felt like I was good at all of them.”

Despite his strong academic performance, he wasn’t sure which path to follow. His mother, too, often wondered what direction he might take. Eventually, Darsh found clarity in accounting.
“I wasn’t confident at first,” he admits, recalling his initial struggle with the subject. But persistence paid off;  his grades improved, and at one point, he even felt like he was teaching the class. “That’s when I knew the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) was my path,” he adds.

Strathmore University wasn’t a random choice. His sister, Krisha Ghia, had also pursued the ACCA course at Strathmore, and her stories about the institution especially about Mr. Roger Gitonga, one of the lecturers, left a strong impression on Darsh. “I met him right before I started my early papers. I already knew he was going to be a great lecturer for me,” he says. True to that instinct, Darsh went on to top Mr. Gitonga’s Audit and Assurance paper,  one of his personal favorites. Mr. Gitonga’s classes drew Darsh deeper into the world of auditing and assurance. “His lectures were amazing,” Darsh says. Mr. Gitonga’s unique teaching style made the topics come alive even when he wasn’t directly referencing the textbook, his approach helped students grasp challenging concepts. Darsh still recalls a class on pensions in Chapter 5 of Tax — not for the content itself, but for the way it was delivered. “He just spoke to us. But everything he said helped me understand the topic. It hit me differently,” Darsh says.

Darsh’s ultimate goal is to work at one of the Big Four firms: KPMG, Deloitte, EY, or PwC. His plan is to apply to the firms once he finishes his final papers by December, though he’s already networking. “Don’t wait until you’re done, start applying now,” I advised.

ACCA isn’t easy, something Darsh knows all too well. While most students take six months per paper, he opted for a more accelerated route: three-month cycles. “It’s tough, especially with the professional papers,” he admits. But for Darsh, finishing early meant starting work early. He’s on track to complete the entire course in the ideal 2.5-year timeline.

University life brought its own transformation. “In high school, I was an extrovert. Here, I became an introvert. Just me and my PC. Long hours of studying, sometimes eight to nine hours a day, became routine,” he admits. Darsh didn’t expect what came next. Not only did he top Kenya in the Audit paper, but he also ranked among the best globally. At first, he couldn’t believe it.
“The Kenya ranking felt great but then I saw the global ranking, and it was a single-digit number. That was huge,” he says with a smile. He immediately called his parents and lecturer—and of course, he couldn’t resist making some noise on LinkedIn too. That moment reinforced his belief: audit is where he belongs. “It showed me that this is my forte, my passion.”

His journey wasn’t without its challenges. Moving houses while preparing for his skill-level papers was especially tough. Still, he managed to pass two papers during that period. “That’s the only real setback I faced.” Waiting for human-marked results, especially in papers like Strategic Business Reporting (SBR), was another emotional rollercoaster. “You don’t know whether to start the next paper or wait in case you have to repeat.” Still, Darsh pressed on using resources like the ACCA Study Hub and even online providers like Mustafa Mirchawala to help master accounting standards.

How does Darsh stay disciplined? “There’s always a point where it hits you that you have to put your head into it, and then you start putting in multiple hours.” But when he needs a break, Darsh turns to eSports. He’s even competed in tournaments, once bagging the third spot at an event hosted by Nairobi International School called Pubg Mobile Africa Championship. “There’s a major tournament coming in September. I hope to qualify.” Still, when exams approach, he cuts back completely. “One and a half months before the papers, I stop gaming.”

Darsh credits his parents for their unwavering support—both financial and emotional. “My mom was always proud of me. Seeing her smile after I got my results, for the longest time, was everything.” He also speaks highly of Mr. Gitonga: “He really shaped my approach to the audit paper. His techniques were amazing.”

While he didn’t make many close friends at university — preferring to attend class and head straight home, he fondly recalls the focused environment of his small class.

With graduation on the horizon, Darsh plans to take a short break before entering the workforce and eventually pursuing a master’s degree. He’s in no rush to pursue another undergraduate degree. “ACCA is equivalent to one after the first nine papers, and the final four are at a master’s level.”

When asked about the future of auditing, he expresses excitement. “Auditors aren’t always liked because we go into companies to expose their records—but I find that exciting. You’re going in to look for something. Not every company plays by the book, so there’s a thrill in that discovery.”

Final words of advice
“Practice a lot,” Darsh says. “Reading alone isn’t enough  especially now, with human-marked papers. You need to understand what the examiner is looking for.”

And his favorite quote? One that perfectly summarizes his journey: “Bravery comes before mastery.”

Just as Lord Krishna is seen as a guide and protector, Darsh’s path has been shaped by clarity, purpose, and the unwavering support of mentors and family. His name is more than just a label — it reflects his disciplined approach and thoughtful choices.

Article written by Teresa Nekesa