Chartered accountants in great demand in the country, says ICAI chief

Rajamahendravaram: Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) president Naveen ND Gupta said that chartered accountants (CA) were playing a key role in the development of the country as well as to strengthening the financial base of the nation. ICAI is an autonomous body but was working with the Central government in various aspects, he added. He launched the Rajamahendravaram chapter of the ICAI. 

Speaking to reporters on the occasion at JK Gardens here on Monday, Gupta said ICAI, which came into existence before Independence, had global recognition. It also played an important role in framing rules of GST and was helping to increase the revenue sources of the government.

According to him, ICAI has a membership of 2.5 lakh across the country with 155 branches in India and 25 abroad. Now CAs are auditing the accounts of State Bank of India (SBI) and SEBI and now many government offices and organisations were coming forward to audit their accounts with CAs. Stating that there was a heavy demand for CAs, he said a large number of women were showing interest in CA course and currently students who completed CA course were in jobs and there was still requirement of CAs.

The curriculum for CA students was revised and e-patasala was also introduced for their benefit by downloading material, Gupta added. Moreover, ICAI entered into an MoU with Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad to establish mutual co-operation between the two institutes for offering and co-hosting open-enrolment and customised training programmes exclusively for chartered accountants.

Gupta said ICAI also signed Mutual Recognition Agreement with CPA of Ireland to facilitated mutually recognition of qualification of each other’s and admit the members in the two institutions. He warned that ICAI will take action against its members who violate the guidelines relating to audits.  He said there was no fixed stipend to CA students during their internship at senior professionals.  ICAI former president DR Reddy and Rajamahendravaram chapter president MVV Satyanarayana and others were present.