The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) restrained Chartered Accountant’s from Advertising their association with Coaching / Teaching Activities through Hoardings, Posters, Banners etc.
In an announcement dated May 18th, V. Sagar Secretary of ICAI wrote that, members are advised to abstain from advertising their association with Coaching /teaching activities through hoardings, posters, banners and by any other means, failing which they may be liable for disciplinary action, as per the provisions of Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 and Rules /Regulations.
Regulation 190A of the Chartered Accountants Regulations, 1988 provides that a chartered accountant in practice shall not engage in any business or occupation other than the profession of accountancy, except with the permission granted in accordance with a resolution of the Council.
However, The Council has passed a Resolution under Regulation 190A granting general permission (for private tutorship, and part-time tutorship under Coaching organization of the Institute) and specific permission (for part-time or full time tutorship under any educational institution other than Coaching organization of the Institute). Such general and specific permission granted is subject to the condition that the direct teaching hours devoted to such activities taken together should not exceed 25 hours a week in order to be able to undertake attest functions.
The ICAI said that, “the broad purview of Clause (6) of Part I of the First Schedule to the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, an advertisement of Coaching /teaching activities by a member in practice may amount to indirect solicitation, as well as solicitation by any other means, and may therefore be violative of the provisions of Clause (6) of Part I of the First Schedule to the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949”.
“Subject to the above prohibition, such members may put, outside their Coaching /teaching premises, sign board mentioning the name of Coaching/teaching Institute, contact details and subjects taught therein only. As regards the size and type of sign board, the Council Guidelines as applicable to Firms of Chartered Accountants would apply”, it also added.
Read the full text of the Announcement below.
