Ritu Jha–
Members, their families, and friends of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) San Francisco chapter assembled at the Golden Gate Bridge on July 1, to take part in the CA Day Walk in honor of the institution that has helped many aspiring chartered accountants to achieve their dream.
The commemoration was to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Chartered Accountants’ Day, is observed every year on July 1.
Vish Arunachalam, founder, chairman, and director of the ICAI of San Francisco chapter on hosting the walk along with the Consulate General of India, San Francisco, told indica, “The ICAI SFO chapter has been celebrating CA Day as an indoor event since its inception. Going forward we intend to celebrate CA Day as an outdoor wellness event with the community.”
This is the first CA Day Walk event hosted by the ICAI SFO chapter. The first USA chapter of ICAI in New York was set up in 2008.
ICAI is one of India’s oldest professional organizations, founded in 1949. The San Francisco chapter was established in 2017 and ICAI currently has 17 offices across the US.
Lauding the ICAI SF chapter’s contributions, Consul General TV Nagendra Prasad praised Arunachalam for running a very active ICAI chapter and promoting the US-India corridor through active participation, collaboration in finances, and supporting startups. He said that ICAI SF has extended invaluable support by guiding and clearing the doubts of the startup owners who come to the US from
India to set up new units.
Talking to indica about the ICAI’s San Francisco chapter, the Consul general said: “The members always cooperated and collaborated with us particularly when the budget was presented.” Prasad added that during the past two and a half years the ICAI SF chapter had played an instrumental role not only in Silicon Valley but in India as well.
Sudha Michel, acting -chairperson of the ICAI SF chapter said, “This is the 75th anniversary of ICAI and we wished to mark this momentous occasion with zest. The main objective of the SF chapter of the ICAI is to bring that CA spirit alive and to remember the values, the ethics, and the hard work, we have put in to get whatever we have achieved.”
“Nobody can forget the experience and incredible work they have put in. I think everyone should be proud that this is the foundation day of the CA Institute, the alma mater we all belong to,” Michel told indica. “We want to optimize every networking opportunity to bring everyone together to get good things started and to get an understanding what are the needs of the members.”
She said senior members offer mentorship and guidance to the new participants for whom this marks a starting point in their professional journey. “Networking is very important and it was the way we wanted to remember and congratulate the CAs for their achievements. Golden Gate is the perfect place to present the San Francisco and California spirit,” Michel said.
Ravi Malhotra, CA, CPA, Committee Member – Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards (APAS) said he woke up early to be part of the CA Day. “I attended various CA Day events when I used to live in Delhi, India, and was excited to be part of the CA Day at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco. It was a great event to attend and I made so many new friends. I liked the fact that ICAI is the second largest professional body of Chartered Accountants in the world, with a strong tradition of service to the Indian economy. This spurred me to volunteer for this CA Day celebrations.”
