Dear Esteemed Members,
Warm greetings from the ICAI Ahmedabad Branch (WIRC) !
As we step into the month of October, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and pride for the enthusiasm, participation and continued support extended by our members, students, faculty members, stakeholders and the entire ICAI Ahmedabad family.
The past few weeks have once again demonstrated that when the CA fraternity comes together with a shared purpose, knowledge transforms into opportunity, and opportunity transforms into growth.
Our theme for the year, "Creating Global Alpha for CAs", continues to guide our initiatives. Our endeavour is not merely to organise programmes, but to create platforms where Chartered Accountants can learn, relearn, connect, collaborate, innovate and expand their professional horizons-both within India and across the globe.
"The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you." - B.B. King
LOOKING BACK - SEPTEMBER 2026
September was a month of learning, outreach, celebration and professional engagement for the Ahmedabad Branch.
12-Day Transfer Pricing & International Taxation Series
We commenced the month with an intensive 12-Day Transfer Pricing & International Taxation Series, providing members with a comprehensive learning platform on subjects that are increasingly relevant in an interconnected global economy.
International taxation is no longer a niche area. With increasing cross-border transactions, global businesses, NRI engagements, GIFT City opportunities and evolving international tax frameworks, the ability to understand global taxation is becoming an increasingly valuable professional capability.
The series brought together an impressive panel of distinguished faculty, including CA Anish Thacker, CA Dhaval Trivedi, CA Shradha Khemka, CA Ankit Gandhi, CA Nehal Sheth, CA Prashant Maheshwari, CA Vishal Gada, CA Jay Parmar, CA Jatin Gajjar, CA Swapnil Bafna, CA Karan Sukhramani, CA Stuti Trivedi, CA Gunjan Shah, CA Bhavesh Dedhia and CA Sonal Pandey, who shared their knowledge and practical insights with our members.
I sincerely appreciate each faculty member for generously contributing their time and expertise.
I would particularly like to place on record my appreciation for CA Jiten Trivedi, Chairman - Direct Tax Committee, for his valuable support and involvement in the execution of this comprehensive technical series.
The response to this programme reinforces a simple truth:
When the profession changes, our knowledge must change with it.
Celebrating the Teachers Who Shape Professionals
The Teacher's Day Felicitation Programme on 5th September was a particularly meaningful initiative.
It was not merely a programme to honour teachers; it was a celebration of the people who stand behind every professional achievement.
One of the most touching moments was the felicitation of Principals by their former Article Assistants who had subsequently qualified as Chartered Accountants.
For the first time, we witnessed Article Assistants-who had once entered their Principal's office as students-returning as qualified Chartered Accountants to felicitate the very mentors who had guided them during their formative professional years.
Alongside this, we also felicitated teachers associated with ICAI, acknowledging their contribution towards educating and shaping generations of Chartered Accountants.
It was a beautiful reminder that professional success is rarely an individual journey; it is built upon the guidance, patience and faith of many mentors along the way.
"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." - Henry Adams
Convocation - Celebrating the Beginning of a New Journey
The September 2026 Convocation on 12th September was another proud milestone for the Ahmedabad CA fraternity.
Welcoming newly qualified Chartered Accountants into the profession is always special. Every newly qualified CA represents years of discipline, perseverance, sacrifice and determination.
The presence of Shri Rohan Gupta, National Secretary, Bharatiya Janata Party, as Chief Guest, and CA Aniket Sunil Talati, Past President, ICAI, as Guest of Honour, added significance to this important occasion. Rohan Gupta was appointed National Secretary in the BJP's August 2026 organisational appointments.
To our newly qualified Chartered Accountants, I would like to say:
Your qualification is not the destination; it is the beginning of a much larger journey.
The world is waiting for the value that you can create through your knowledge, integrity and professional capability.
As you begin your journey, remember that the letters "CA" before your name represent not only a qualification, but also trust, responsibility and public confidence.
Listening to the Future of the CA Course
On 16th September, the Branch organised an Outreach Programme for Students & Members on the Review of the Scheme of Education and Training for the CA Course.
The CA profession is evolving rapidly. Technology, Artificial Intelligence, changing business models, globalisation and new professional opportunities are transforming the expectations from tomorrow’s Chartered Accountant.
It was therefore important to provide students and members an opportunity to participate in the discussion and share their perspectives.
I sincerely appreciate CCM CA Purushottam Khandelwal for his valuable mentoring, guidance and support in engaging with the young minds of the profession.
The future of the profession must be built with the next generation, and not merely for the next generation.
Bringing Students to ICAI - From Career Counselling to Experiencing the Profession
On 19th September, we organised a meaningful Career Counselling Programme at Sadhu Vaswani Higher Secondary School & Sadhu Vaswani Mission, Ahmedabad.
What made this initiative particularly special was that school students came to the ICAI Ahmedabad campus, visited the Branch and experienced the ICAI environment while learning about the Chartered Accountancy course and the professional journey ahead.
I strongly believe that career counselling becomes much more meaningful when students are given an opportunity to experience the institution rather than simply hear about it.
When a young student walks into ICAI Bhawan, interacts with Chartered Accountants and experiences the professional environment, the CA profession becomes a tangible possibility rather than just a career option on paper.
Every student who discovers the possibility of becoming a Chartered Accountant is a potential future contributor to the profession and the nation.
OCTOBER - A MONTH OF LEARNING, LEADERSHIP & GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES
October brings with it an exciting and diverse calendar of programmes.
I invite every member to participate actively and make the most of these opportunities.
3 October | Chartered Minds in Public Service
The Members in Public Service Committee is organising the 11th Awareness & Mentorship Programme for CA Members Aspiring for Public Service - "Chartered Minds in Public Service: Inspiring the Next Generation."
Public service offers Chartered Accountants an opportunity to utilise their expertise in finance, taxation, governance, administration, public policy and economic management for the larger public good.
What makes this programme particularly special is the extraordinary opportunity for aspiring members to interact with distinguished professionals who have taken their CA qualification into different dimensions of public service and governance.
The programme brings together:
Justice (CA) Bhargav D Karia - Hon'ble Judge, High Court of Gujarat
CA Rakesh Rathi, IRS - Joint Commissioner of Income Tax (TDS), Ministry of Finance
CA Harsh Mangla, IAS - Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
CA Munish Garg, SFIO - Sr. Assistant Director, Serious Fraud Investigation Office
CA Shivani Goyal, ICoAS - Assistant Director (Cost)
The diversity of these distinguished speakers demonstrates the wide range of avenues through which Chartered Accountants can contribute to public service and nation-building.
Their journeys offer aspiring members something that cannot be learnt from textbooks alone-perspective, experience, mentorship and the courage to explore unconventional professional pathways.
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Mahatma Gandhi
I encourage our young members who aspire to enter public service to make full use of this unique opportunity to interact with experienced professionals and learn from their journeys.
9-10 October | SANGAM 2026 - Where Knowledge Meets Opportunity
The highlight of October will be SANGAM 2026, a two-day Multi-Track State Conference scheduled for 9th and 10th October 2026.
SANGAM is not merely another conference.
It is a significant professional initiative organised by WIRC of ICAI and hosted by the Ahmedabad Branch of WIRC of ICAI, jointly with all 14 Branches of ICAI across Gujarat.
This collaboration itself represents the spirit of SANGAM-coming together, sharing knowledge and creating opportunities.
What makes SANGAM distinctive is its Multi-Track Conference format, enabling members to choose and participate in areas most relevant to their professional interests and aspirations.
The conference brings together multiple contemporary areas of professional relevance:
Track 1 - Income Tax
Track 2 - GST
Track 3 - AI for Audit
The profession is changing faster than ever.
Artificial Intelligence is transforming audit and professional workflows.
Global outsourcing is creating new avenues for Indian CAs.
Capital markets are opening new professional opportunities.
Regulatory developments are continuously changing the knowledge requirements of practitioners.
And clients increasingly expect Chartered Accountants to be business advisors rather than merely compliance professionals.
Therefore, continuous learning is no longer an option-it is a professional necessity.
"In a world that is changing so quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks." - Mark Zuckerberg
I urge every member to make the most of SANGAM 2026.
19 October | GOING GLOBAL
Another important initiative aligned with our annual vision is:
"GOING GLOBAL: Unlocking US Career & Tax Practice Opportunities for Indian CAs"
scheduled for 19th October 2026.
Our profession is no longer restricted by geographical boundaries.
Indian Chartered Accountants are increasingly working with international clients, global organisations and overseas professional networks.
Understanding US taxation, international career opportunities, cross-border professional services and global practice models can open new avenues for our members.
What makes this programme particularly special is that the faculty is coming all the way from New York, USA, bringing first-hand international professional experience and insights directly to our members in Ahmedabad.
This is precisely what we mean by our vision:
"Providing global opportunities to local Chartered Accountants."
23–25 October | RRC on GST - Nathdwara
The month will conclude with a Residential Refresher Course on GST at Nathdwara from 23rd to 25th October 2026.
A residential programme provides something beyond classroom learning.
It creates an environment for:
Focused Study, Peer Learning, Professional Interaction, Networking, Knowledge Sharing.
The RRC will bring together faculty from different parts of India, giving members the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and experts from across the country.
I encourage members to look beyond programmes merely as CPE requirements.
The real value lies in the knowledge we acquire, the perspectives we exchange and the professional relationships we build.
FROM LEARNING TO LEADERSHIP
As a profession, we are standing at an interesting crossroads.
Technology is transforming audit and assurance.
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping professional workflows.
Globalisation is creating opportunities beyond traditional practice.
Regulatory frameworks are becoming increasingly dynamic.
And society expects professionals to demonstrate greater transparency, ethics and responsibility.
In this environment, the CA of tomorrow cannot remain confined to being only an accountant or tax professional.
We must become: Strategists, Advisors, Technologists, Global Professionals, Entrepreneurs, Leaders, Trusted Business Partners.
"The future depends on what you do today." - Mahatma Gandhi
Our responsibility as a Branch is therefore to create platforms that help members prepare for that future.
A MESSAGE TO OUR MEMBERS
Dear Members,
I would like to make one sincere request to every member of the Ahmedabad Branch:
Do not merely be a spectator to the changing profession. Be a participant in shaping it.
Attend programmes, Share your knowledge, Mentor young CAs, Encourage students, Explore new areas of practice, Build international networks, Embrace technology, .Collaborate with fellow professionals And most importantly, remain curious.
The strength of the Ahmedabad Branch does not come only from its infrastructure, programmes or numbers.
Its real strength lies in its members.
Every speaker who gives time. Every member who participates. Every student who asks a question. Every volunteer who works behind the scenes. Every committee member who contributes an idea. Every mentor who guides a young professional.
Together, they create the strength of ICAI Ahmedabad.
CREATING A GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL HUB
Together, we can ensure that Ahmedabad is not merely a large CA centre, but a global professional hub where ideas originate, opportunities are created and Chartered Accountants are prepared to lead.
Our vision of "Creating Global Alpha for CAs" is therefore not merely a slogan.
It is a commitment.
A commitment to create opportunities.
A commitment to bring global knowledge to Ahmedabad.
A commitment to take Ahmedabad’s professional talent to the world.
A commitment to prepare young Chartered Accountants for tomorrow.
A commitment to build practices that are technologically enabled, globally connected and ethically grounded.
As we move forward, let us continue to uphold the timeless values of our profession:
Integrity. Excellence. Independence. Public Interest.
while simultaneously embracing the opportunities presented by technology, innovation and globalisation.
LET US CONTINUE CREATING GLOBAL ALPHA FOR CAS.
With warm regards and best wishes for a productive, enriching and transformative month ahead.
Warm regards,
CA Rinkesh Shah
Chairman
ICAI Ahmedabad Branch (WIRC)
