ICAI considers new format for better CAs

The new Board of Studies for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has decided to revamp the training and academic programme being offered by the institute for students over the three-year course by increasing the practical learning of students through the GMCS, Orientation and ITT programme currently being offered by the institute. The BoS in an informal meeting with faculties has said that the same will be finalised before the start of the new academic calendar.

CA Dhiraj Khandelwal, a member of the Central Council who interacted with faculties from ITT, GMCS and Orientation courses recently at the institute’s BKC office said, “The responses from the corporate sector and the fraternity have indicated that the courses being offered by the institute has had a positive impact on the students and hence it is necessary to improve and strengthen the existing facilities for the benefit of the students.”

The informal interaction with the faculties of the three courses saw many faculties pointing to the fact that the training imparted to students needed to be spread out during the three-year duration that it takes a student to complete the course. “The corporate sector keeps evolving and students pursuing the ICAI course need to be up-to-date with the market demands. They also need an avenue to hone their soft skills and knowledge of IT, which they are unable to do while doing their articleship. Hence the programmes need to be broken down in smaller parts so that students have an opportunity to assess and improve their skills regularly,” said a faculty member who was present in the meeting.

The ITT, Orientation and GMCS I and II programmes are held over a period of five to 15 days throughout three years. A student has to undergo these courses once during the entire duration of the course, after which they become eligible to start practicing. Another faculty member suggested granting a diploma certificate to the students on completion of each of these courses so that it would serve as an additional qualification when they go out in the job market.