- WIRC leadership meets media ahead of two-day SANGAM 2026, bringing together all 14 ICAI branches across Gujarat
- ‘Relearn. Refresh. Update.’ sets the agenda for professional excellence amid rapid changes in taxation, technology and business
- Artificial intelligence in audit, GST, capital markets and global outsourcing feature among key technical tracks
- WIRC Chairman CA Sourabh Ajmera highlights career guidance for over 10,000 students and initiatives to nurture future CAs
- Accounting museum at Sadhu Vaswani School aims to introduce young students to the chartered accountancy profession
- ICAI Ahmedabad Branch provides monthly scholarships of Rs 5,000 to needy CA aspirants; WIRC stresses MSME tax-compliance support
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, OCT 9
When artificial intelligence is transforming audits, tax regulations are continually evolving and businesses are navigating increasingly complex compliance requirements, the chartered accountancy profession faces a defining challenge: how to stay ahead of change while preparing the next generation of financial professionals. Setting the stage for a collective response, the Western India Regional Council (WIRC) leadership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) met the media in Ahmedabad on Friday ahead of SANGAM 2026, a two-day, multi-track conference bringing together all 14 ICAI branches across Gujarat.
Scheduled for October 9 and 10 at ICAI Bhawan, Ghatlodia, Ahmedabad, the conference seeks to strengthen professional knowledge, encourage collaboration and equip chartered accountants to respond to emerging opportunities in India and overseas.
Built around the theme “Relearn. Refresh. Update.”, SANGAM 2026 places continuing education and professional adaptability at the centre of its agenda. The initiative also highlights the wider responsibilities of the CA fraternity—from helping businesses navigate tax compliance to encouraging young people to consider chartered accountancy as a career and making professional education accessible to financially disadvantaged students.
A united Gujarat CA fraternity
Addressing the media ahead of the conference, CA Sourabh Ajmera, Chairman of WIRC, described the initiative as an important step towards strengthening professional relationships and creating fresh learning opportunities for chartered accountants across Gujarat.
“SANGAM 2026 represents the spirit of unity, collaboration and collective progress within the Chartered Accountancy profession. Bringing all 14 branches of Gujarat together on a common platform is a significant step towards strengthening professional relationships and creating greater learning opportunities for our members,” he said.
Emphasising the need to keep pace with changes in taxation, technology and global business, Ajmera said initiatives such as SANGAM would help chartered accountants remain relevant, future-ready and better equipped to serve businesses and society.
He congratulated the Ahmedabad Branch and all participating branches for joining hands to create a platform for professional advancement.
AI, taxation and global opportunities in focus
The conference features multiple technical tracks covering income tax, GST, artificial intelligence in auditing, outsourcing opportunities for chartered accountants, capital markets, practice management, professional ethics and peer review.
The diverse agenda reflects the expanding role of chartered accountants beyond traditional accounting and statutory audits. As businesses embrace digital systems and increasingly complex financial structures, practitioners need to combine technical expertise with technological awareness, sound professional judgement and a global outlook.
The programme is designed to provide members with practical insights into emerging developments while encouraging them to explore new avenues for professional growth.
Ahmedabad strengthens its professional leadership
CA Rinkesh Shah, Chairman of the ICAI Ahmedabad Branch, said hosting the conference was a matter of pride for the city and its CA fraternity.
“It is a matter of great pride for the Ahmedabad Branch to host SANGAM 2026, bringing the entire CA fraternity of Gujarat together under one roof. As one of the largest branches of WIRC, Ahmedabad has always been committed to advancing professional education, innovation and opportunities for Chartered Accountants,” he said.
“SANGAM is not merely a conference; it is a collective movement towards learning, collaboration and growth,” Shah added.
He said the multi-track format would help members update their technical expertise, explore emerging avenues such as AI and global outsourcing, strengthen their professional practices and prepare for future opportunities.
Shah also acknowledged the encouragement and support of Ajmera and the WIRC office-bearers, describing the participation of all 14 Gujarat branches as a demonstration of the profession’s collective commitment to growth.
Taking the CA profession to school students
Beyond professional development, the WIRC leadership highlighted initiatives aimed at nurturing future talent and making chartered accountancy more accessible to young people.
CA Sourabh Ajmera, Chairman of WIRC, said, “Among three states of Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat, ICAI Ahmedabad is the largest one and functioning very well. Over 10,000 students have been given career guidance by it.”
In a significant initiative to introduce the profession to students at an early age, an accounting museum was inaugurated at Sadhu Vaswani School in Ahmedabad on Friday. The initiative aims to familiarise school students with the history and significance of accounting and introduce them to the opportunities offered by the chartered accountancy profession.
Ajmera also highlighted the Ahmedabad Branch’s support for aspiring chartered accountants through monthly scholarships of Rs 5,000 to needy students pursuing the CA course. The financial assistance is intended to help deserving students pursue their professional ambitions.
Together, career guidance, early exposure to accounting and financial assistance underline ICAI Ahmedabad’s efforts to nurture future talent and widen access to the CA profession.
Supporting MSMEs through tax-compliance awareness
CA Bishan Shah, Secretary of WIRC, highlighted the role of chartered accountants in helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) navigate tax compliance and changing financial regulations.
He said the CA fraternity had been helping MSMEs with tax-compliance requirements while updating their knowledge of financial inclusion and the latest tax norms.
The emphasis is significant for smaller businesses, which must keep pace with regulatory changes while managing limited resources and day-to-day operational demands. Timely professional guidance can help them better understand their obligations and strengthen their financial practices.
The initiative also reflects the profession’s broader contribution to the business ecosystem, where chartered accountants serve not only as auditors and tax advisers but also as partners in financial discipline and sustainable growth.
Collaboration as the profession’s next milestone
The WIRC leadership’s visit to the Ahmedabad Branch ahead of SANGAM 2026 reinforced the importance of coordination between the regional council and its constituent branches. By bringing Gujarat’s CA community together, the conference seeks to create a shared learning environment in which professional experience, technical knowledge and emerging ideas can be exchanged across locations and specialisations.
CA Samir Chaudhary, CA Rakesh Shah, CA Rikin Patel and CA Rajesh Agarwal were also present at the media interaction, along with the respective teams.
As the profession confronts rapid technological change and increasingly demanding business requirements, the larger message behind SANGAM 2026 is that continuing education, collaboration and the nurturing of future talent must go hand in hand.