ICAP trainees

Letter June 27, 2019
The lack of practice for over 2 years causes professionals to lose skills they had acquired over a period of 3.5 years

KARACHI: Audit trainees registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, a member body of the International Federation of Accountants, have to complete a mandatory Articleship or audit training of 3.5 years with accountancy and audit firms in the country. After the training period is completed, they are abandoned by the companies. Due to the pressure of work, trainees often complain of being treated harshly. They are given a small stipend, which is disproportionate to the work they do. They are made to work late hours in the office, which are above the normal office timings, without extra payment. In these times of rising prices, these professionally qualified individuals are left with no option but to sit idle. Formerly, these firms --- especially the big ones — would retain their trainees at an equitable salary till they qualified their charter, so they would not lose their skills. However, under the present circumstances, the lack of practice for over two years causes professionals to lose the skills they had acquired over a period of 3.5 years. I urge the authorities concerned to look into the matter and help revive the old system of firms retaining their trainees. I also urge the government to help trained chartered accountants to get jobs.

Zeeshan Ahmed

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2019.

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