The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has approved a major amendment to its Code of Ethics that will allow chartered accountants and CA firms to advertise their services under updated professional guidelines — a significant departure from longstanding restrictions on promotional activities. The decision was taken by the ICAI Central Council at its 447th meeting in New Delhi and aligns with broader efforts to modernise the profession and help domestic firms gain visibility in a competitive global market.
Under the revised Code of Ethics — set to come into effect on April 1, 2026 — CA firms will be permitted greater flexibility in how they present and promote their services, particularly for non-exclusive services such as consultancy or accounting. The amendments broaden permissible advertising formats, expand what counts as “write-ups,” and allow use of push-technology content and websites to reach potential clients.
The updated rules also permit ICAI-registered network firms to maintain and manage their own websites, increasing professional visibility and enabling more structured communication with stakeholders. These changes reflect a shift from historical norms that limited advertising to static text-only write-ups with stringent formatting rules.
Modernising the Profession and Boosting Global Competitiveness
ICAI President Charanjot Singh Nanda said the amendments are designed to modernise the regulatory framework and align it with current digital practices, giving CA firms helped opportunities to compete on a level playing field with global professional services networks. Alongside advertising reforms, the Council approved the ICAI (Global Networking) Guidelines, 2025, which provide a structured framework for Indian firms and networks to form compliant partnerships with overseas counterparts.
These reforms are seen as part of a strategic push to support the growth of large homegrown chartered accountancy practices that can compete internationally. Enhanced visibility through permitted marketing and digital outreach is expected to benefit small and mid-sized firms in particular, enabling them to attract clients and build brand identity beyond traditional word-of-mouth referrals.
Broader Ethical and Professional Standards Reform
The advertising reforms are part of a wider overhaul of the ICAI’s professional guidelines. The revised Code of Ethics also aligns with the 2024 edition of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) Code, introducing stricter auditor independence provisions and extended responsibilities around responding to non-compliance during audit engagements. Additionally, new ethical standards covering sustainability assurance and an expanded scope of contemporary services — including forensic accounting, social impact assessment and artificial intelligence–related advisory — are incorporated to reflect the evolving role of the profession.
While the amendments enable greater promotional freedom, they maintain ethical safeguards designed to preserve public trust and uphold the integrity of the profession. By embracing modern communication channels and diverse service offerings, the ICAI aims to balance visibility with professional responsibility, equipping Indian CA firms to thrive in a rapidly changing economic and digital environment.
