CA Day Special | Former ICAI President, CA Aniket Talati, on technology and legacy

The future of accountancy – CA Anik Talati on technology, AI, and the journey of a CA

When tradition meets transformation, magic happens. In this special episode of Coffee with CA, we sit down with CA Aniket Talati, the 71st President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)—and its youngest ever at just 36.

But this isn’t just about a title. It’s about reshaping a legacy, redefining what it means to be a chartered accountant in the age of AI, and proving that leadership isn’t about age—it’s about vision.

Born into legacy, driven by vision

CA Aniket Talati’s CA story started long before he opened his first ledger. His grandfather was among the first Indians to clear the CA exam in 1949, securing a top rank. His father also served as ICAI President. With this legacy in his DNA, Talati could have simply followed tradition. Instead, he chose to transform it.

Knowing science wasn’t his passion, he leaned into commerce and critical thinking. That decision set him on a path that would ultimately lead him to the highest seat in the institution his family helped shape.

The Mumbai leap: Grit in action

Leaving Ahmedabad for Mumbai during his undergraduate years, Talati took a bold step—moving out, working hard, and learning faster. His articleship at Lovelock & Lewes gave him exposure across industries: pharma, manufacturing, and non-profits. It was more than a job; it was a crash course in the business of life.

Frustration = Innovation

“We could book a train ticket instantly—but signing up for a CA exam still took weeks.”

This simple frustration lit a spark. As ICAI President, Talati launched the Self-Service Portal (SSP), a digital revolutionary tool that now allows students to register, apply, and receive membership numbers within 24 hours. This wasn’t just about tech; it was about making progress feel personal.

Digitizing the CA experience

Gone are the days of physical answer scripts and manual evaluations. Under Talati’s leadership, ICAI adopted digital exams, online evaluations, and facial recognition tech to ensure faster, fairer processes. What once took weeks now takes minutes—all while maintaining trust and transparency.

AI: The CA’s new co-pilot

Some fear AI will replace accountants. Talati disagrees. For him, AI is a tool—not a threat. He sees AI helping with reconciliations, GST verifications, and data cross-checks—freeing CAs to focus on insight, ethics, and business strategy.

“The ones who learn to use AI,” he says, “will be the ones who lead.”

GLOPAC: Making Indian CAs global

Taking inspiration from platforms like IPL, Talati launched GLOPAC (Global Professional Accountants Convention), a platform to elevate Indian CAs to the global stage. It’s not just about international networking; it’s about Indian thought leadership in accounting.

Wisdom rooted in simplicity

Despite his achievements, Talati is pragmatic about the setbacks he faced. His career, like any other, featured challenges and disappointments. However, he views each of those moments as a learning experience, emphasizing that progress is often non-linear. It’s not about the size of the audience or the scale of the platform—you can reach the world through just one person, just as the Bhagavad Gita formed from a single conversation between Krishna and Arjuna. This focus on humility and continuous learning has kept him grounded even while serving in one of the profession’s highest offices.

ICAI at 100: What the future looks like

By the time ICAI turns 100 in 2049, Talati envisions a paperless world. Real-time audits. Cloud-first accounting. Zero delays. The printer will become a relic; compliance will be fully automated. The CA of the future? A strategist. A problem-solver. A partner in progress.

Advice to aspiring CAs

“Don’t just study for exams. Learn to learn.”

Whether it’s cloud systems, AI tools, or blockchain, Talati urges young CAs to embrace digital skills alongside core principles. He believes the CAs of tomorrow won’t just balance books; they’ll help shape businesses.

Conclusion

CA Aniket Talati isn’t just leading ICAI; he’s shaping what the next 75 years of the profession could look like. His story is a powerful reminder that when legacy, vision, and technology come together, the result isn’t just progress—it’s transformation.