Srinagar, Oc 20: The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (Srinagar Chapter) has launched a special initiative titled Kashmir Commerce Olympiad (KCO) to create awareness among commerce students across Kashmir aboutthe vast opportunities in the field of commerce, in particular professional courses such as Cost Accountancy (CMA)
The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) is a premier statutory body established under an Act of Parliament. The Institute has about one lakh Cost Accountants, 117 Chapters, and more than six lakh students across India and abroad.
However, the impact of the profession in Kashmir has so far been minimal, as only about fifteen Cost Accountants are from the region. Notably, CMA Bashir Masoudi is the first Cost Accountant from Kashmir, said a press release
Once qualified, Cost and Management Accountants (CMAs) not only secure first-class employment opportunities in the public and private sectors but are also eligible for the prestigious Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICAS), which is equivalent to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Many CMAs are gainfully employed in government departments, public sector undertakings, and private organizations, while several others are engaged in independent professional practice. A number of CMAs hold senior positions such as CMDs, CFOs, and Directors (Finance).
The program, approved by the Directorate of School Education, aims to identify and reward students who demonstrate aptitude and interest in commerce and finance-related studies.
As part of the KCO initiative, mentoring sessions were conducted in various higher secondary schools across districts including Shopian and Ganderbal. These sessions focused on guiding students about career options and the role of professional qualifications like CMA in shaping their future. Following the mentoring sessions, a flash examination was conducted to identify meritorious students. So far, around 2,000 students from 16 schools have been covered under the program, with about 1,000 students voluntarily participating in the examination.
