CAs- Exercise your power to bring Needed Change

Dear Professional Friends,

You can make the difference by a) Voting & b) Voting for creating a great future for ourselves.

You know that the quality of the leaders at the helm of affairs makes a very big difference to each one of us, the profession at large as well as the Country.

Year after year it appears that we may be making wrong choices. This is based on the results which are sad. The trimming of powers of ICAI, standard setting dilution, disciplinary oversight by NFRA & decrease in inflow of students. The image of the profession is deteriorating, though none of us like it.

Who is responsible for this decline?

Those of us who have our membership intact and do not go to vote,

Those of us who have not taken membership for years, also feel that things are not as they should be.

If we do, can we then take membership and this time around vote for sure.

Questions for reflection -before selecting a candidate:

1.?????? Can we take this opportunity to send a strong message to those who have been serving self for many terms?

2.?????? Can we allow our ICAI elections to become like the general elections over time?

3.?????? Why did we lose the standard making authority?

4.?????? Has ICAI become more an association of CAs rather than the regulator we are empowered to be?

5.?????? Why has an oversight (NFRA) to the disciplinary mechanism been found necessary? Is it because the CCM are unable to be independent?

6.?????? Why are students not attracted to the CA course in huge numbers? Is it the scant regard for them by the BOS directorate/ chairmen who led it? Are the students seen as an ATM [increase in fees w/o a commensurate service increase)?

7.?????? Can we continue to spend monies on the many redundant committees who have proved to be are totally ineffective – see the reports and question the Chair of those committees?

8.?????? ICAI code of conduct for election expenditure: Why enhanced to 15 Lakhs for CC- certainly not in line with inflation? Who increased it? Ordinary professionals cannot afford to spend such monies – is it an entry barrier in addition to the many others placed by sitting council members on anybody who wishes to enter for the 1st time or has taken a break? I understand for some candidates, the actual expenditure is likely to be in crores this year as it was in the last elections?

Facts: One party in a Star Hotel will cost Rs.15 Lakhs; one printed brochure to post to 50k costs 7 lakhs.

ICAI asks for expenses which are submitted but not questioned even if there are some complaints against some who get elected. - till date no serious common-sense view even taken to invalidate those who spend much more—can this election be different? What happens to the complaints on this account is unknown. Any average auditor with experience should be able to find so many head missing.

9.?????? Who are those CCMS who have travelled the world with no or negligible results for the profession when there are experts and acknowledged professional who would have bought respect for the Indian CA? There are a few very competent CCM / past CCMs though.

10.?? Who are those who have been in the council for donkeys years- what have they really delivered in terms of benefits to Governance, members or students?

11.?? Who are those who became directors of banks and got large PSU audits after their advent to the central council continuing / seeking re-election?

Voters may this time need to ask some hard questions to every prospective candidate as well as themselves and assess what they have delivered if they are past CCMs.

When one exercises his/her voting power the possible ways in which one can reach a well-reasoned choice could consider the aspects (among others) of:

1.?????? Quality desirable in CCM

2.?????? Circumstances requiring deeper examination adverted to above

3.?????? Governance focus – Has what is required been done by successive leaders

4.?????? Quality Issues of Professional – Training/ Additional education needs/ empowerment

Qualities Desirable for CCM

At times the voter is carried away by those who personally meet or talk to him/her. Also, at times on whether he/ she is very easily accessible. While both are factors to be considered some of the qualities [ not in order of importance] which among others could be desirable in our leader which could be considered are:?

1.?????? Is known for honesty, integrity and independence?

2.?????? Is playing community politics?

3.?????? Is successful in career/ practice prior to joining CC. Are partners existing to take care of firm?

4.?????? Has reasonable knowledge in his/her area of practice?

5.?????? Has reasonable communication / presentation skills?

6.?????? Specific reasons for seeking election or re-election to be ascertained.

7.?????? Transparency in what was done and not done by him for the profession as a whole – earlier promises {manifesto) if sitting CCM

8.?????? What has been achieved (Results) at branch/ Regional level?

9.?????? What is the vision for ICAI which they will focus on?

10.?? There are some basic governance issues [we need to list out] and quality issues [list out]? - For sitting CCM – What they have done for that – For those seeking – what they propose to do?

11.?? Does not spend in multiples of Rs. 15 lakhs limit?? ?

12.?? How being CCM would help the country, profession, professional & students?

13.?? Is aspiring to be the President? If so would have to compromise himself/ herself.

14.?? …more

Some Governance suggestions pending for more than 5-10 years- position of candidate on these issues. Why not implemented?

1.?????? Bio metric and broadcast of Central Council + Committee meetings + CPE thereafter

2.?????? Provision of Statement of assets [+ IT returns personal] at the time of entry into CC every time.

3.?????? E-voting – why not in place- convenience for voters especially in cities and widespread mofussil areas.

4.?????? Why president to be abdicated powers by CCMs. Is it to avoid accountability all around with President taking the blame for all the wrongs in the year? - after all he is the 1st amongst equals and once his term is over- would be responsible for past deeds.

5.?????? Why there is an allotment by President for key committees like Board of Studies, Executive Committee, CPE Committee, Intl Committees, Foreign Travel Policy ++. Why not merit based system ( past performance in that committee) or merit + election.

6.?????? Once a competent person is delivering why change- let him complete his projects. Give time for longer or full term. Since I was able to keep the IDT committee for 3 years, I was able to contribute significantly.

7.?????? Fund allocation for Regional Council is very low and role restricted [ regular interference by the CCMs of that region] and does not allow for marked contribution by RCM. (Due to lack of funds) Branches in comparison have much more flexibility and access to funds and many are doing very well.

8.?????? …more

In 2015 before the elections many of the above issues had been shared with the electorate. This time also I have repeated that with a bit more incisive questions to make the candidates sensitised that the members cannot be taken for granted and they would hold the candidate accountable if elected.

Let us together see we send quality, honest and service-oriented leaders for the overall good.

CA Madhukar N Hiregange