IAA, South Bengal Branch Hosts International Seminar on Accounting Education and Research

The 46th All India Accounting Conference and International Seminar on Accounting Education & Research, organised by the Indian Accounting Association (IAA), brought together academics, professionals, and industry leaders for a vibrant two-day event on November 23-24, 2024, in Kolkata. Held at the iconic Science City auditorium, this conference, the first of its scale in the city after 37 years, witnessed an impressive turnout of over 1,000 delegates, both national and international.

The conference opened with a special online session on zero day, hosted from St Xavier's College (Autonomous), Kolkata. Father Dominic, the college Principal and one of the key patrons, expressed his delight over the successful organisation of the conference, which coincided with the institution's recent A++ NAAC rating, further cementing its reputation for academic excellence.

The formal inauguration took place on Saturday with a captivating musical invocation by renowned duo Sourendro and Soumyajit, setting a harmonious tone for the weekend. The event was co-hosted by Umeschandra College, Prabhat Kumar College, EIILM Kolkata, Vidyasagar University, and the newly established Mahatma Gandhi University, all of which contributed their resources and expertise.Th

Among the prominent attendees was CA Ranjit Agarwal, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, who emphasised the growing participation of women in the field of accountancy as both students and professionals.

Delegates from Oman, the UK, and the USA added an international dimension to the discussions, sharing insights on contemporary global challenges in accounting education and research.

The conference featured six parallel sessions on topics like GST, sustainability, financial shenanigans, investment practices, and accounting education and research during which 400 papers were presented. This remarkable output showcased the intellectual vigour of the participants and provided a platform for thought-provoking discussions.

Dr Arindam Gupta, senior professor of Commerce at Vidyasagar University and one of the conference secretaries, was nominated as the junior vice president of the association. The new president of IAA, K S Thakur, Vice Chancellor of a Rajasthan-based university, took over from Dr V Appa Rao, retired Senior Professor, Department of Commerce, Osmania University; whose one-year tenure concluded during the event.

The conference received support from public sector banks and organisations, including UCO Bank, SBI, and LIC, demonstrating the strong nexus between academia and industry.

CA (Dr) Sanjib K. Basu, Dean of the PG Department of Commerce at St Xavier's College and one of the organising secretaries, reflected on the event’s significance.

The conference marked a significant achievement for the city, which last hosted this prestigious event 37 years ago. As a parting announcement, it was revealed that the 47th Annual Conference will be held in Udaipur, Rajasthan, promising another enriching gathering for the IAA community.

This year's conference not only highlighted the growing importance of accounting education and research in India but also served as a platform for fostering collaborations across academia, industry, and international borders. With its well-rounded mix of cultural, intellectual, and professional exchanges, the 46th All India Accounting Conference was a resounding success, setting a high bar for future editions.