CA programme
A few weeks back, I was watching a television programme on carrier building. An FCA mentioned that there were around 12,000 posts of qualified Chartered Accountants available in different industrial, commercial, trade and other organisations in Bangladesh. On the other hand, less than 1,100 qualified Chartered Accountants were available in the country. It is known to people concerned that thousands of educated youths are suffering due to unemployment or underemployment. Moreover, the requirement of qualified Chartered Accountants will increase with the expansion of business ventures in the years to come. The service of a professional Chartered Accountant is very much essential to management people who make decisions and to maintain financial discipline in any organisation.
In recent years, a huge number of business graduates are enrolling themselves to CA firms to study Chartered Accountancy course. Most of the students complete the course but seldom come out successful in the exams, i.e., qualify as Chartered Accountant. It is learnt that the way of study the CA firms follow to impart CA course is neither suitable, nor rational. During study, the students spend most of the time in auditing different business organisations assigned by the firms where students are enrolled. Usually, they have to remain so busy in audit work in field level that they get little time to study the course contents properly. As a result, frequently they fail to qualify through exams. It is observed that eight to ten years is required to complete the CA course and pass the final examinations after graduation. Considering the socio-economic situation in Bangladesh, students cannot afford to spend such a long time on a particular course. The course starts after graduation. The students confront pressure to earn money to support themselves as well as their families. It is often seen that most of the students have to accept jobs before passing the final exams. When they start working for earning they cannot concentrate enough on the CA course.
The total system of CA study needs a major reform. A balance is to be struck for institutional universal classroom study and practical audit, like other disciplines at the postgraduate level. If it is done within a couple of years a good number of qualified CAs will be available in Bangladesh. It will reduce the number of educated unemployed people and create a favourable environment for business. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh should initiate a pragmatic reform programme to remove the loopholes in the existing system of study.
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