A viral LinkedIn submit by funding banker Sarthak Ahuja has reignited debate over the declining market worth of the Chartered Accountancy (CA) diploma and the altering position of finance professionals in India. Ahuja, who himself is a CA, argued that whereas the diploma nonetheless gives credibility, it now not ensures premium pay or profession development except professionals evolve past conventional compliance work.
Ahuja backed his argument with knowledge exhibiting that whereas the CA Last cross fee has risen to almost 25%, the typical placement wage has fallen from ₹13 lakh in 2023 to round ₹12.5 lakh this 12 months. “The CA diploma is dropping its worth available in the market,” he wrote, explaining that the occupation is witnessing “an upward trajectory in cross proportion however a downward development in compensation.”
He famous that many professionals are inclined to blame the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), however he believes the duty lies inside the occupation. Based on him, the Institute will naturally give attention to “extra college students, extra members, extra charges,” whereas it’s as much as particular person CAs to redefine their worth proposition.
“The true query,” Ahuja wrote, “is whether or not you’re a price centre or a revenue centre.” He argued that these limiting themselves to tax submitting, audit, or accounting stay caught in commoditised roles. As an alternative, he urged CAs to pivot towards revenue-generating alternatives, equivalent to elevating capital, managing wealth for high-net-worth purchasers, or serving to companies broaden abroad.
He instructed that future-ready professionals should study to “create worth, not simply confirm it,” and if the present framework limits such alternatives, “it could even be value giving up your Certificates of Observe and shifting towards companies that pay higher.”
Ahuja concluded {that a} diploma’s job is to supply “draw back safety,” guaranteeing fundamental survival, whereas true wealth and development come from “enterprise acumen and differentiation.”
The submit sparked widespread dialogue amongst finance professionals. One consumer summarised the shift succinctly, “Outdated CA mannequin: File taxes, audit books, invoice hours.
New CA mannequin: Increase capital, construct technique, cost worth.
The diploma gave credibility. The mindset offers scale.”
One other consumer agreed that ICAI isn’t completely in charge however might do extra to modernise coaching. They wrote that whereas the Institute hosts networking occasions, it ought to give attention to applications that “develop real-world abilities, broaden information of rising markets, and assist members develop into real revenue centres for his or her purchasers.”
Others identified that the actual problem lies in high quality, not amount. One commenter stated, “It’s the standard of chartered accountants we must be fearful about. There are some CAs working proprietorships who don’t even know the earnings tax slab fee and begin blaming the Institute.”
And as one consumer humorously put it, “CAs must be much less like calculators and extra like Swiss Military knives — versatile, sharp, and able to lower via the competitors.”
