Technology and integrity key to the future of chartered accountants, says Dr Vidya Yerwadekar

PUNE: Stressing that the role of Chartered Accountants must continuously evolve in line with rapid technological advancements, Dr Vidya Yerwadekar, Principal Director & Pro-Chancellor of Symbiosis International (Deemed University), on Monday, urged newly qualified CAs to move beyond traditional number-crunching and embrace emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and digital public infrastructure.

She was speaking at the convocation ceremony organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), New Delhi, and hosted by the Pune branch of WIRC of ICAI at Bantara Bhavan in Baner. A total of 1,400 students were conferred CA membership and awarded degrees during the ceremony. The programme was attended by ICAI Central Council member and chief coordinator of the convocation, CA Chandrashekhar Chitale, along with Central Council member and coordinator, CA Umesh Sharma, Regional Council Member CA Abhishek Dhamane, ICAI Pune branch chairman CA Sachin Miniyar, vice-chairman CA Pranav Apte, secretary CA Nilesh Yeolekar, treasurer CA Neha Phadke, and managing committee member CA Hrishikesh Badve, among others.

“Today, a Chartered Accountant is not limited to bookkeeping or statutory compliance. CAs are strategic partners in nation-building. To remain globally competitive, financial expertise must be blended with technological agility,” Dr Yerwadekar said. Highlighting the continued credibility of the profession, she noted that the ‘CA’ prefix remains a symbol of trust and resilience, and emphasized that integrity & ethical standards are indispensable in an era marked by global economic volatility. Dr Yerwadekar also likened the role of Chartered Accountants to that of doctors, saying they safeguard the financial health of institutions and, in turn, contribute to the economic well-being of the country.

Addressing the gathering, CA Chandrashekhar Chitale highlighted the expanding global opportunities for Indian Chartered Accountants. He noted that Indian CAs are increasingly in demand in markets such as the UK, Singapore, and Canada, especially within Global Capability Centers (GCCs), and urged young professionals to uphold integrity as they contribute to nation-building and India’s journey towards a $5 trillion economy.

CA Umesh Sharma also motivated the newly qualified Chartered Accountants, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning in a rapidly changing financial and technological environment. He urged young professionals to prioritise skill upgradation, professional discipline, and ethical conduct, stating that sustaining client trust and working with a sense of social responsibility are key to long-term success in the CA profession.

Graduates took a formal oath pledging to uphold the highest ethical standards of the profession, while merit holders and rank-holders were felicitated for their academic excellence. Office-bearers of the ICAI Pune branch encouraged the new members to pursue continuous upskilling in emerging domains such as forensic audit, GST, and data analytics.

CA Sachin Miniyar, in his welcome address, said the convocation marked a significant milestone in the professional journey of the newly qualified Chartered Accountants. He congratulated the graduates on their achievement and urged them to uphold the values of integrity, professionalism, and lifelong learning while contributing meaningfully to the profession and society.

The convocation concluded with the formal induction of the new members into the profession, marking their transition from students to Chartered Accountants. CA Pranav Mantri compeered the program, while CA Abhishek Dhamane proposed a vote of thanks.