ICAI released Revised Merger and Demerger Guidelines 2024 for CA Firms

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has released the ICAI (Merger and Demerger of CA Firms) Guidelines 2024, which aim to streamline the merger and demerger procedure for firms.

The guidelines, which were approved by the ICAI Council at its 432nd meeting on July 2-3, 2024, represent a significant regulatory change designed to promote ease of practice and improve operational efficiency among CA firms.

The Merger and Demerger Rules were issued in the year 2005 and various decisions were taken subsequently with respect to the seniority and mergers of the firms.

The Committee for Aggregation of CA Firms (CACAF) of ICAI has been constituted during the year 2024-25 and has undertaken a rigorous and methodical review of the Merger and Demerger Rules. The revisions represent a concerted effort to streamline the guidelines both at policy and procedural levels to mitigate the practical impediments that previously hampered CA firms to actively participate in mergers, thereby fostering ease of doing practice within the profession. The revised guidelines aim to encourage firms to explore strategic mergers, which can significantly enhance their market presence, operational efficiency, among others.

Further, in exercise of the powers conferred by the Section 15(2) (fa) of the Chartered Accountants Act 1949, [as amended by the Chartered Accountants, the Cost and Work Accountants and the Company Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2022 (No. 12 of 22)], the Council of ICAI at its 432nd meeting held during 2nd and 3rd July 2024 has approved “ICAI (Merger and Demerger of CA Firms) Guidelines, 2024”. These revised Guidelines are effective from the date of its notification.

It may be noted that the existing rules of Merger and Demerger issued by Council stands repealed. Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done, or any action taken or purported to have been done or taken under those rules shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of these Guidelines. Further, the benefit provided under these guidelines, may also be availed by those firms who got merged before the commencement of these guidelines & have not completed 5 years post-merger.

For Detailed Guidelines Download PDF Given Below: