ICAI Cautions Members, Students Over Misuse Of Social Media, Warns Not To Bring Disrepute To Profession

In an advisory to its members and students, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has issued a strict warning over misuse of social media to express grievances.

ICAI said that they have come across certain instances wherein members and students have taken to social media to express grievances related to profession and academics without first taking up the issues with the Institute. It added that some of them have also written directly to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and other higher forums for the redress of the grievances.

“Some of the posts are highly objectionable which have the potential to create social and communal disharmony, threatening peace, tranquility and may disrupt the security of the nation, public order and friendly relations with other nations,” said the advisory by ICAI.

The premier organization said any such misconduct could lead to cancelation of registration. The Advisory warned that in terms of Part IV, First Schedule to the Chartered Accountants Act 1949, a member of the Institute, whether in practice or not, shall be deemed to be guilty of other misconduct, if he, brings disrepute to the profession or the Institute, as result of his action whether or not related to his professional work. As far as students are concerned any such action will be liable for appropriate action including cancelation of their registrations.

“Members and students are, therefore, advised in their own interest, to exercise caution while posting/sharing/forwarding any message, video, audio, photograph(s), comments and other material on print and social media which may bring disrepute to the profession or tarnish the image of the Institute generally in the eyes of the public,” the ICAI advised.

The organisation mentioned that in certain cases, material posted on social media was seen to be false and misleading tarnishing the image of the profession in the eyes of the public and bringing disrepute to the profession.

The advisory added that the ICAI has always been making efforts to protect the interest of the profession as also the development of all stakeholders by taking a number of initiatives targeted not only for regulating the profession but also to enhance the skills of the students and members to be contemporary as well as future-ready.