Should CA Students Attend the 4-week Residential Programme by ICAI?

The 4-Week Residential Programme by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is designed to enhance the professional skills of Chartered Accountancy students. This program is focused on developing soft skills crucial for effective functioning in business organizations and the profession. The training includes communication, interpersonal, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills. It is organized by the Board of Studies and is open to CA students who have completed one year of their articleship.

Table of Contents

1. Eligibility
2. Programme Structure & Objectives
3. Programme Benefits
4. Programme Limitations
5. Some FAQs on 4-week Residential Programme

People often wonder what differentiates MBAs from CAs when it comes to career competency! In such regard, it is usually believed that communication and presentation skills aka soft skills are amongst some differentiating factors. CA (Chartered Accountancy) is a course in which a student often ends up spending more time gaining technical knowledge, and thereby sometimes compromising on crucial soft skills which are considered a must in the practical world. Accordingly, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India keeps coming up with programmes for the holistic development of students providing an opportunity for inculcating professional skills, and one such programme offered is the four-week residential programme on soft skills development.

1. Eligibility

CA students who are either pursuing last year of Practical Training or have completed practical training are eligible to join the course. Further, the newly qualified Chartered Accountants can also join the course.

For students who are registered for articleship before the last date of registration under the old scheme i.e., 30th September, 2023, they are eligible to join the four-week residential programme after completing their first year of Articleship.

2. Programme Structure & Objectives

The four weeks residential programme on soft skills development provides a conducive environment to help CA students acquire the necessary soft skills for effective functioning in business organizations and succeed in their profession. It gives an opportunity and a platform to learn the following with interactive learning and subject expert simulation exercises:

• Developing Personal Traits
• Business Communication & Presentation
• Interpersonal & Negotiation Skills
• Business – Social Etiquettes
• Practice Development and Management
• Development of Communication Skills
• Current Affairs/Sessions

The 28-day programme comprises of a variety of activities designed with the intent to help students improve their soft skills, prepare for interviews, familiarise them with the corporate culture and instill in them corporate etiquettes. Numerous exercises are carried out with the intention to force students out of their comfort zones. Debate competitions and group discussions are held to help students overcome their anxiety of public speaking. Business case studies present a challenge for students to hone their approach to problem solving. Through creative role-plays, they are taught conflict management. Students are tasked to curate startup pitches imbibing entrepreneurial skills in them. Further, recreational activities are also carried out such as visit to various cultural heritages, etc.

3. Programme Benefits

It is said that one’s network is his net worth. Students, through this programme, will get an opportunity to build a network with CA students across the country. The programme will also push them to step out of their comfort zone and make them more self-sufficient. Further, the mind-boggling activities for the development of aforementioned soft skills, led by the top faculties and internationally credited corporate trainers is something which would help CA students transcend beyond books.

4. Programme Limitations

The fact that students will have to relocate to a different place for 28 days is one difficulty that could interfere with their academic progress.

However, the students shall have sufficient time for studies after the sessions, thus enabling them to learn management skills as a result.

5. Some FAQs on the 4-week Residential Programme