Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament established in 1949. Its main objective is regulating the profession of Chartered Accountancy in the country. The Institute, functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India. The ICAI is the second largest professional body of Chartered Accountants in the world, with a strong tradition of service to the Indian economy in public interest. 

Over a period of time the ICAI has achieved recognition as a premier accounting body not only in the country but also globally, for maintaining highest standards in technical, ethical areas and for sustaining stringent examination and education standards.

Functions of ICAI

  • Regulate the profession of Accountancy
  • Education and Examination of Chartered Accountancy Course
  • Continuing Professional Education of Members
  • Conducting Post Qualification Courses
  • Formulation of Accounting Standards
  • Prescription of Standard Auditing Procedures
  • Laying down Ethical Standards
  • Monitoring Quality through Peer Review
  • Ensuring Standards of performance of Members
  • Exercise Disciplinary Jurisdiction
  • Financial Reporting Review
  • Input on Policy matters to Government
It has its headquarters in New Delhi and 5 Regional offices in Chennai, Kanpur, Kolkata, Mumbai and New
Delhi. It presently has 163 branches spread all over the country. In addition, it has also set up 31
chapters outside India and an overseas office in Dubai.

ICAI Council

In terms of the Act of 1949, the President is the Chief Executive Authority of the Council. The Secretariat of the ICAI is headed by the Secretary who is in-charge of the office of the ICAI as its Executive Head. The activities of the ICAI can be broadly divided into Regulatory, Standard Setting, Disciplinary and Education & Training. The Council functions through its 4 Standing Committees and 36 Non-Standing Committees.

Vision of ICAI

ICAI aims at harnessing the opportunities and addressing the challenges presented by the rapidly changing environment so that, by 2030, ICAI can become the world's leading accounting body.

ICAI Members

Members of the Institute are known as Chartered Accountants. Becoming a member requires passing the prescribed examinations, three years of practical training (known as articleship) and meeting other requirements under the Act and Regulations. 

A member of ICAI can use the title CA before his/her name.A member of ICAI may either be an Associate Chartered Accountant (A.C.A.) or a Fellow Chartered Accountant (F.C.A.) based on his experience.

Role of Chartered Accountants

Chartered Accountants enjoy a statutory monopoly in audit of financial statements under the Companies Act, 2013, Income Tax Act, 1961 and various other statutes in India. Financial statements audited by a chartered accountant are presumed to have been prepared according to GAAP in India. However, not all Chartered Accountants work in audit. Firms of accountants provide varied business services, and many accountants are employed in commerce and industry. Their areas of expertise include Financial Reporting, Auditing and Assurance, Corporate Finance, Investment Banking, Financial Modelling, Equity Research. Fund Management, Credit Analysis, Capital Markets, Arbitration, Risk Management, Economics, Direct Tax, Indirect Tax and valuation of businesses.

Contact Details

ICAI Bhawan
Indraprastha Marg
Post Box No. 7100
NEW DELHI - 110 002
Website: www.icai.org

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