ICAI to support CAs, trained accounting professionals

The institute of chartered accountants of India (ICAI), to fulfill the demand for trained accounting professionals and to support chartered accountants (CAs), is launching a new course for the second tier accountants or the accounting technicians. Currently, there's shortage of trained accountants in the country and this course, which would be launched tomorrow would help meet the demand, said Uttam Prakash Agarwal, vice-president. Accounting technicians work in areas of accounting and finance, supporting CAs and associate CAs. "The industry needs qualified accountants, and CAs require qualified support. The accounting technician course will bridge both needs at the same time," he said. People who have qualified intermediate exams and have completed three to five years of articleship, but couldn't become CAs would be eligible for this one year course. ICAI would also be planning continuing education programmes for the accounting technicians, said Agarwal.