In a significant call to action for the accounting profession, a senior academic leader has urged newly qualified Chartered Accountants (CAs) to fundamentally evolve their role by integrating cutting-edge technology with traditional financial expertise. The appeal was made during a major convocation ceremony in Pune, where over 1,400 students were formally inducted into the profession.
Evolving Beyond Ledgers: The New CA as a Strategic Tech Partner
The convocation, organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and hosted by its Pune branch at Bantara Bhavan in Baner, saw Dr. Vidya Yerwadekar, Principal Director & Pro-Chancellor of Symbiosis International (Deemed University), deliver a keynote address. She stressed that the rapid pace of technological change demands a continuous evolution from CAs.
Dr. Yerwadekar explicitly advised the new professionals to move beyond conventional number-crunching and actively embrace emerging domains like Artificial Intelligence and digital public infrastructure. She framed the modern CA not as a mere bookkeeper but as a strategic partner in nation-building, whose value lies in blending deep financial knowledge with technological agility to maintain global competitiveness.
Global Demand and Unshakeable Ethics
Highlighting the profession's enduring credibility, Dr. Yerwadekar noted that the 'CA' prefix remains a powerful symbol of trust and resilience. She emphasized that integrity and high ethical standards are non-negotiable, especially in an era of global economic volatility. Drawing a parallel, she likened CAs to doctors, stating they are guardians of the financial health of institutions, thereby directly contributing to the economic well-being of the country.
Echoing the theme of global opportunities, CA Chandrashekhar Chitale, an ICAI Central Council member and chief coordinator of the event, pointed to the increasing demand for Indian CAs in international markets like the UK, Singapore, and Canada. He specifically mentioned opportunities within Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and urged the young graduates to uphold integrity as they contribute to India's ambitious journey towards becoming a $5 trillion economy.
A Foundation of Lifelong Learning
The importance of continuous skill development was a recurring message. CA Umesh Sharma, another Central Council member, motivated the gathering to prioritize constant learning, professional discipline, and ethical conduct. He stated that sustaining client trust and working with a sense of social responsibility are the bedrock of long-term success.
The ceremony included a formal oath-taking where the graduates pledged to uphold the profession's highest ethical standards. Merit and rank holders were felicitated for their academic excellence. Office-bearers from the ICAI Pune branch, including Chairman CA Sachin Miniyar, Vice-Chairman CA Pranav Apte, and Secretary CA Nilesh Yeolekar, encouraged the new members to pursue upskilling in specialized areas such as forensic audit, GST, and data analytics.
In his welcome address, CA Sachin Miniyar congratulated the graduates, marking the convocation as a major milestone. He urged them to carry forward the values of integrity, professionalism, and lifelong learning as they begin their professional journeys. The program was compered by CA Pranav Mantri, with a vote of thanks proposed by CA Abhishek Dhamane.
