Arpit Jagdish Kabra
Chairman
Dear Members,
Actions based upon sacrifice, charity, and penance should never be abandoned; they must certainly be performed. Indeed, acts of sacrifice, charity, and penance are purifying even for those who are wise. –
Bhagavad Gita 18.5.
CAs are amongst those professionals who are considered wise by the society. People from all walks of life look to us for advice because they expect us to have cultivated an intellect which looks deeper as well as from different perspectives compared to the common man. Thus, it stands to reason that the above shloka applies to us with only the situation changing as applicable to Chartered Accountants.
Sacrifice: In the context of CAs, sacrifice would refer to putting the interests of clients or the public above personal gains and working long hours to ensure clients’ financial matters are handled diligently and ethically.
Charity: While charity often involves giving monetary donations, in the context of CAs, it can be interpreted as giving back to the community or helping those in need through pro bono services or volunteering our financial expertise to support organizations for charitable causes.
Penance: For CAs, penance signifies taking responsibility for any errors or oversights and going the extra mile to consciously rectify them.
The statement emphasizes that these actions should not be neglected and should be part of a CA’s mind-set of professional ethics and conduct. Engaging in acts of sacrifice, charity, and penance not only benefits others and society but can also contribute to the personal growth and professional standing of the CA themselves.
Moreover, the idea that these actions have a purifying effect even on the wise implies that, regardless of one’s expertise or experience, practicing these virtues can lead to moral and spiritual growth, which is valuable for all individuals, including CAs.
Meeting with Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon’ble Union Minister
WIRC office bearers had an interactive meeting with Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon’ble Union Minister, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. We apprised him of recent WIRC activities including our education and counselling drives for students and he expressed his pleasure for the initiatives carried out by us.
Workshop on GST Representation & Preparation Management
This intensive two day workshop was appreciated by all participants as it included all the significant topics ranging from various aspects of Adjudication including how to keep track of Case Laws, precautions to take while referring to the same and views about emerging areas in Litigation as well as pertinent strategies. The workshop also gave insights into new opportunities for CAs beyond Drafting and Representation in Search Cases which were highly appreciated by those in attendance.
Training Program on HR Strategies & Relationship Management for Women members
Keeping our focus strong on Women members, WIRC organised this training program for Women CA’s looking for careers as entrepreneurs or in HR Strategies & Relationship Management for positions in CA firms, Corporates and SMEs or even for those looking to strengthen the HR functions of their own offices. This comprehensive training programme covered all relevant topics including Technical & Communication Skills, Industry regulations, Workspace Harassment, Measuring performance, etc.
Program on Real Estate Industry (Physical)
Knowledge was disseminated via two panel discussions on the topics ‘Governance, Risk & Compliance, Expectations of Finance Head from Internal Auditors’ and ‘Accounts, Finance & Taxation, Infrastructure Industry Challenges, Insolvency & Bankruptcy, Real Estate Industry Challenges’, collectively ensuring that members received an all-round perspective.
Relearn Series on Income Tax
A four day series organised to ensure systematic learning and relearning program for members, this initiative found great favour as in a short span of time the Series thoroughly revised all aspects of Income-tax and brought all members current with the latest amendments in this most fundamental of subjects for CAs. It also helped in e-filing related issues and finalisation of income-tax returns.
Seminar on Internal Audit
The full day seminar focusing on Internal Audit addressed subjects including its relevance as an Effective Tool for Corporate Governance, Internal Control – Internal Auditors Role in Control Activities and Internal Audit in Information Technology Environment which also shed light on the opportunities for CAs in the IT field.
Workshop for Preparation of IBBI Limited Insolvency Examination
Organized by the Committee on Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code of ICAI and hosted by the WIRC of ICAI, this three day workshop covered topics such as ‘Introducing the Code and Examination Process’ and ‘Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process’. It also looked at ‘Differences and functioning of IBBI, IPA, IP and IU’ as well as ‘Pre-packaged Insolvency Resolution Process for MSMEs’ and ‘Judicial Pronouncements’. Members were pleased with the support extended by the Institute and WIRC to help them achieve their career goals through this initiative.
Seminar on Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics is the foundation of the profession. To keep members aware and current, this full day seminar covered all changes in code of ethics, important decisions and cases. A panel discussion on various practical issues in code of ethics allowed a greater sharing of knowledge by veterans.
Seminar on Recent Updates & Developments in Tax & Regulatory
It is important for members to learn more about how various industries and Accountancy connect at professional levels and their interactions. To that end, WIRC organised a seminar where CAs from various sectors including Consultancy & Services, Pharma, EPC & Manufacturing and others discussed their thoughts by addressing members as well as via panel discussions. The insights created by this program was appreciated by all members – whether in practice of industry.
Seminar on Arthveda
Finance and its various aspects were the topics in this full day seminar. Covering a gamut of subjects ranging from ‘Unconventional Careers for CA’ and ‘How to build a business in hyper competitive market’ as well as panel discussions on Finance and on Entrepreneurship, took members into new realms of professional observations.
Training for Stakeholders on Cyber Crime Investigation
The increase in various types of digital crimes and their subsequent investigations are a continuous learning process which must be kept up. WIRC looks to ensure that the training specific to pursue investigations in cyber crime is imparted to stakeholders to enable them to carry out their duties in a more result oriented manner.
Stress Management & Emotional Stability
Our members have to multi-task as a matter of form. If left unchecked, stress can impact physical and mental health. To ensure that members continue to function at high levels in a calm manner we organised a workshop on ‘Stress Management & Emotional Stability’ by Dr. Santosh Gupta, MD, Neuroradiologist which helped members get an insight into learning to manage stress.
75th Chartered Accountants Foundation Day
WIRC organised a number of programs giving back to society to celebrate our Foundation Day. In this the 75th year, we organised a number of activities such as a Mega Blood Donation and Health Check Up Camp, Sustainability Pledge, a Pledge Drive for Continuous Plantation, a Cleanliness Drive, a Tax Clinic to educate the common man and a Walkathon. Members participated in these activities with great enthusiasm with the result that wherever these activities were conducted the general public were made aware of how CAs gave back to society in different ways.
The examples and incidents described in our scriptures are not just stories but have many learnings for us as well and even described in a single line, these have a tremendous impact. Let us look at a few of these:
Even from a distance, Arjuna saw only and only the eye of the bird, he described it and then hit it. Learning: 100% Focus on goals whether near or far.
Karna was considered the greatest warrior as well as the noblest amongst all but he took the side of unethical people and paid the ultimate price. Learning: The company you keep will decide your fate more than your character ever can.
Our culture is rich with such examples, all we have to do is imbibe them to make an actual difference in our lives.
In August, as we celebrate Independence Day let us take this opportunity to celebrate this day through words as well as deeds. Let us work to uplift our country and people in whichever small way we can as true independence can only be achieved when we have eradicated poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition and social ills to become a healthy and progressive nation. CAs are looked upon as the guardians of financial integrity, let us take a small step forward and also become the guiding lights in the struggle to better the life of man. The essential ingredient to move ahead in life and in the profession is “Passion’. Let us stay inspired !
दे सलामी इस तिरंगे को,
जिस से तेरी शान है,
सर हमेशा ऊँचा रखना इसका,
जब तक तुझ में जान है।
आरजू बस यही है
मेरी हर सांस देश के नाम हो,
जो सिर उठे तो मेरे सामने तिरंगा हो,
जो सिर झुके तो वतन को प्रणाम हो।
- Arpit Jagdish Kabra
Chairman