Experts at a convocation on Friday said that there was an urgent need to develop more qualified chartered accountants (CAs) who will play a vital role in uplifting large business entities and could help the country achieve its economic goals.
There are approximately 2,000 qualified CAs in the country against the need for an estimated 12,000, they mentioned at the 21st convocation of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh held on Friday.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi attended the assembly as the chief guest and distributed the certificates among the newly qualified CAs.
State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam attended the event as the special guest while Vice-Chancellor of Barisal University Professor Dr Sadequl Arefin was the convocation speaker.
ICAB President Md Shahadat Hossain, former president and Council Member Humayun Kabir and ICAB Vice President NKA Mobin spoke on the occasion.
Munshi welcomed the newly-qualified CAs for their relentless efforts in reaching the present level.
"Now, your responsibility is to take forward the country's economy to achieve the development goals," he said, adding there are achievement milestones ahead including achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) in 2030 and becoming a developed country in 2041.
However, there is a necessity to create more CAs, he said, adding the country needs nearly 12,000 CAs at present but it has only 2,000.
Sadequl Arefin said turning Bangladesh's demographic dividend into an asset is a must for its economy.
The country needs more chartered accountants to fill the vacuum of those professionals, he said.
The CAs have three core responsibilities towards their families, country's people and the leaders who are contributing to nation building, he added.
State minister Dr Shamsul Alam said the qualified CAs had to spend many sleepless nights to reach their goal.
"CAs play a vital role in development of business organizations with their different skills including critical thinking and problem solving abilities," he said, terming them financial architects of organizations.
He requested the CAs to do whatever is needed within their capacities for building “a golden Bengal”.
ICAB President Shahadat Hossain said CAs have a moral obligation to utilize their knowledge for ensuring a better financial eco-system of the country.
Their professionalism will ultimately provide the long-term benefit for the economy, he said.
Some 505 CAs who qualified between November-December 2014 and July-August 2022 period received their certificates at the convocation.
