“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” – Aristotle

Dear Colleagues,

As I pen my first communication to you as Chairman of the Western India Regional Council (WIRC), the largest region within the prestigious Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), I do so with a feeling of accomplishment and a deep sense of responsibility.

I am truly humbled by the legacy of the illustrious past Chairpersons who took this Region to greater heights and made it what it is today; a region that has stood the test of time to prove beyond doubt that it well and truly deserves the awards conferred on it.

Achieving the standards set by our past leaders is a challenge but I am confident that with your support I shall be able to live up to expectations. I take this opportunity to thank former Chairman CA. Murtuza Kachwala, immediate past Chairman CA. Arpit Kabra, my Regional Council colleagues and all of you for having reposed faith by bestowing this honour upon me.

The past year saw many path breaking initiatives and activities for which we were deservedly adjudged the “Best Regional Council” and the 'Best Students Association'. I congratulate my predecessor past Chairman CA. Arpit Kabra and his entire team viz. Vice Chairman CA. Hitesh Pomal, Secretary CA. Sourabh Ajmera and Treasurer CA. Ketan Saiya for this achievement. Congratulations are also in order to past WICASA Chairperson CA. Pinki Kedia and our dynamic students for bringing glory to our Region.

WIRC firmly adheres to the principle that "excellence is never an accident" as famously stated by Aristotle. This aligns with our unwavering commitment to fostering a nurturing environment that equips members with the tools for success. Through comprehensive continuing professional education (CPE), robust networking opportunities, and global interactions, we empower our members to maximize their potential and elevate their professional standing.

The accounting profession is undergoing a transformative phase, characterized by accelerated globalization trends and the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in accounting. To navigate these challenges effectively, the motto for WIRC in 2024-25 will be IGNITE - Innovation. Governance. Nurture. Integrity. Trust. Excellence.

I firmly believe that these core principles encapsulate the essence of our profession and the crucial role we play in shaping a future that is prosperous, responsible and ethical. I am confident that by implementing IGNITE as a strategic framework during the year, we will be able to take the profession and Region forward as a whole.

Innovation: Ensure continuous improvement and creative problem-solving which are essential to remain relevant and valuable in an evolving landscape, considering the rapid pace at which accounting technology, and systems are being adopted by the profession.

Governance: Building a strong foundation through transparency, accountability, and responsible decision-making to foster a climate of trust and confidence.

Nurture: Embracing sustainable practices that ensure environmental, social, and economic well-being for future generations is no longer a choice, but an imperative.

Integrity: The cornerstone of our profession, upholding the highest ethical standards remains paramount in building and maintaining trust with stakeholders.

Trust: It is the bedrock of a successful business relationship and the currency of the accounting profession. By demonstrating unwavering integrity and commitment to the public good, we earn the trust that allows us to serve effectively.

Excellence: Relentless pursuit of knowledge, continuous improvement, and delivering exceptional value to clients and stakeholders defines our professional commitment to excellence.

Implementing this ethos during the course of this year ensures our commitment towards fostering a thriving community for members in an ever-evolving professional landscape.

WIRC celebrated International Women’s Day by organizing a grand Women’s Day Celebration which saw more than 700 women members participating at this women’s day event. On this day, WIRC of ICAI hosted various activities including CPE Event, ‘Star Women of WIRC’ Awards, Cultural Performances, Job Fair and free Health Check-ups. Women members took the initiative to acquire various stalls at the exhibition organised on this day to display unique products and cuisines.

I am pleased to state that on this special occasion WIRC launched Project पुन:श्च - a dedicated online portal platform which will connect experienced women CAs seeking career re-entry with firms and members looking to expand their talent pool.

Project पुन:श्च: will host a database of Women CA members’ CVs & resumes to enable interested firms to search for qualified candidates based on their specific needs and preferences and will facilitate direct networking between women CAs and potential employers. This Project will go far towards enabling women CAs plan their re-entry into the profession thus giving rise to a vast pool of talented and experienced professionals for the benefit of all.

As the year advances we are excited to bring forward more initiatives for the Region at large. But most importantly, we are delighted that we will be collaborating with each of you, and moving forward shoulder-to-shoulder, as we advance the shared goals of our Institute and profession.

Thank you for your trust and support.

CA. Ankit Rathi

Chairman