The convocation and certificate awarding ceremony for the students who recently passed the Chartered Accountant (CA) examination of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India was held in Coimbatore. The ceremony was held in Coimbatore as part of the convocation ceremony held simultaneously across India.
This year, about 10,930 students across the country have passed the CA examination. About 110 new chartered accountants were awarded degrees and certificates at this convocation ceremony, held for the first time in Coimbatore.
CAG Ramasamy, Former All India President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (2011-12), was the chief guest and presented degrees and certificates to the students.
In his welcome address, Survajit S Krishnan, President, Coimbatore Branch, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, said that the demand and acceptance for Chartered Accountant courses is continuously increasing. He said that practical training called Articleship plays a very important role in creating skilled professionals and that Campus Placement opportunities for newly qualified Chartered Accountants are also growing significantly.
He further said that in view of the new Income Tax Act and the changes taking place in the industry, ICAI Coimbatore branch is continuously conducting professional development programs, seminars and knowledge sharing sessions for its members. He thanked the leadership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India for declaring Coimbatore as a graduation centre for the first time, stating that this is a historic moment that will bring pride to Coimbatore.
Speaking at the event, CAG Ramasamy said,
Coimbatore is already a city known for its business, entrepreneurship and education, and this convocation ceremony marks a new milestone in its professional development, he said. He said that this ceremony is not just about celebrating academic certificates; it is also about celebrating the success of years of hard work, sacrifice and change.
He said that the Chartered Accountant qualification does not only imply technical knowledge; it also implies the responsibility of carrying the trust of investors, institutions, regulatory bodies and the public.
He said that ICAI, which started in 1949 with 1,700 members and 259 students, has today grown to be the second largest accountancy body in the world, and currently has about 4.1 lakh members and more than 10 lakh students studying for CA across India.
He said that the role of chartered accountants today has expanded beyond accounting and auditing to become management consultants, risk management experts, CFOs, entrepreneurs and policy advisors. He said that more opportunities are emerging in international taxation, IPO advice, mergers and acquisitions, global financial standards such as IFRS.
He said that technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Robotics Process Automation, Blockchain, Cloud Computing and Advanced Analytics are rapidly transforming the industry and that technology should be seen as a new opportunity rather than a threat.
“The ability to understand and make decisions from big data will be as important as technical knowledge in the future,” he said,
adding that an environment is emerging where virtual CFO services, remote audit and digital collaboration platforms can serve clients anywhere in the world.
He said that chartered accountants can contribute to the country’s economic growth and employment by assisting MSMEs in accounting, GST compliance, financial advisory and development projects.
He also emphasized the need to continuously improve their knowledge in areas such as international taxation reforms, BEPS regulations, digital taxation and transfer pricing.
Rajesh, Regional Council Member, AV Arun, Regional Council Member, and Survajith S Krishnan, President, Coimbatore Branch of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, among others, participated in the event.
At the end of the ceremony, all the newly qualified Chartered Accountants were honored and presented with their degrees and certificates in the presence of their families and dignitaries.
