CA aspirants await Centre nod to skip proficiency test

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), which had asked the Centre to exempt graduates securing more than 55% marks from writing the Common Proficiency Test (CPT), is still awaiting a response. 

"The Centre's delay has created confusion," said Archana Ravi, a student. "I do not know whether to appear for CPT or not. If the government approves the proposal, there is no need to go for coaching classes for CPT," she added. 

If the government gives its nod, graduates can take up internships immediately and only those aspiring to become CAs after completing a higher secondary school course will have to take the test. 

"We get hundreds of enquiries from parents and students every day regarding the proposal," said an official of ICAI, Chennai region. 

At the 306th council meeting in June, ICAI proposed that the Centre exempt commerce graduates with marks above 55% and non-commerce graduates with over 60% from appearing for the CPT. ICAI president G Ramaswamy had earlier said graduates and those who had passed the intermediate examinations of the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India and Institute of Company Secretaries of India would be exempt from the CPT. 

"If the government approves the proposal, it will be good," said Anoop Thomas, a commerce graduate. "We study accounting, auditing, business law and mathematics for our degree. Repeating those subjects for the CPT is a waste of time," he said. (Times of India)