ICAB to promote more females in CA studies

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) has moved to encourage more females to choose chartered accountancy (CA) profession in the country, a high official said.

"Female CA professionals are doing well. There is a good scope for females to choose the CA profession," Director (Learning and Professional Development) and Secretary of ICAB Dr Mahfuzul Hoque told the FE.

The official said at present the country has 1500 CA professionals. Out of them the number of female CA is 71 who are working in different local and international organinsations with reputation and dignity.    

The CA firms in the country offer three years CA course. There are three levels in the CA course that includes knowledge level, application level and advanced stage.

The ICAB, which is under the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), is a regulatory body of nearly 150 CA firms in the country. The ICAB is considering to offer scholarships for female CA students.   

At present, there are about 20,000 CA course students in different CA firms. In Bangladesh, the students of CA course is called Article students while in the United Kingdom they are Article Clerks.

Every year, on an average 20- 25 students successfully pass the CA course. The number of 'course completed' students is now above ten thousands.   

The CAs are contributing to the growth of the national economy. They help the government to collect revenue, make business planning and prepare budget etc.

Mr Hoque said the ICAB, as part of its continuing professional development (CPD) programme, will hold a seminar on "Women in the accountancy profession in Bangladesh"  tomorrow (Saturday). Political Adviser to the Prime Minister HT Imam is expected to be the chief guest.  

Lecturer of Accountancy Department of the Manchester University Javeb Siddiqui will present the keynote on 'Women in CA profession in Bangladesh'.