Leading women Indian Chartered Accountants to know about
Chartered Accountancy (CA) is one of the most coveted professional courses among youngsters. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) offers the three-level CA program in the country, comprising Foundation, Intermediate, and Final courses. It is a rewarding and prestigious profession, and there are also many successful women in the CA industry. Take a look at some well-known female Indian Chartered Accountants.
Naina Lal Kidwai, one of most famous Indian CAs
Naina Lal Kidwai is a well-known Chartered Accountant in India. She is a former group general manager and country head of HSBC India. She also served as the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) president. The Padma Shri recipient is the first female Indian graduate from the prestigious Harvard Business School. She is also the founder-chairperson of the India Sanitation Coalition.
Dhivya Suryadevara, first female CFO of General Motors
In 2018, Chennai-born Dhivya Suryadevara, who pursued Chartered Accountancy at the ICAI, was appointed the first woman chief financial officer (CFO) of American giant General Motors. Before moving to the US at 22 to pursue MBA at Harvard Business School, the 1979-born did MCom from University of Madras. She is also a Chartered Financial Analyst who began her career as a World Bank intern.
Vishakha Mulye, CEO of Aditya Birla Capital
Vishakha Mulye, a Chartered Accountant, is currently the CEO of Aditya Birla Capital. She was appointed to the post in 2022. Previously, she worked with the ICICI Group for several decades, handling responsibilities in various areas; she joined it in 1993. Notably, she led the team that had planned and executed the 2002 merger of ICICI and ICICI Bank.
CA Pooja Bansal, first woman vice-chairperson of NIRC
Pooja Bansal, who became a CA at a young age of 22, also became the first woman to be elected the vice-chairperson (2016-17) of the North India Regional Council of ICAI. She earlier worked with several well-known banks like ICICI Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank and also worked as the NIRC CEO. She is currently a partner at Saawariya & Co. Chartered Accountants.
