Highlighting India’s growing role in shaping the future of global accounting, the conclave brought together more than 500 participants from the Big 4 accounting firms, public accounting firms, and academia.
Ed-tech company Miles Education hosted M-PACT, a public accounting global capability centre (GCC) Conclave in India on December 7, 2024. The event attracted more than 500 attendees from the Big 4, public accounting firms, and academic institutions, signifying a crucial step in establishing India’s role as a key player in the global public accounting landscape.
M-PACT established a platform for dynamic, forward-looking discussions on the transformative elements influencing the accounting profession: Talent, Technology, and Transformation. The event highlighted India’s unparalleled talent and pioneering innovations, setting the foundation for a new era of global excellence in accounting.
The conclave underscored India’s critical role in building a future-ready workforce, capable of steering the global accounting sector. Miles has played a crucial role in establishing a CPA talent pipeline for public accounting Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India, which has resulted in billions of dollars in export contributions. To further enhance the global perception of India’s talent, Miles has incorporated STEM into accounting education in the United States and has devised a distinctive pathway for Indian accountants to pursue careers in the US.
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The discussions highlighted the ways in which Indian professionals are establishing new standards both locally and internationally. During the panel focused on the expansion of Public Accounting Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India, which was moderated by Varun Jain, CEO of Miles Education, prominent industry leaders such as Chung Tham (EY GDS), Vishnu Patwari (BDO RISE), Karthick Venkatakrishnan (Eisner Amper), and Murali Balasubramanian (Sthirah) shed light on India’s transformative progress. Vishnu Patwari summed it by stating, “India’s unique position allows us to integrate the best global practices and create capabilities the world has never seen.”
Demonstrating how cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and dynamic business models are revolutionising accounting practices, the panel on AI, Analytics, and Technology in Accounting saw Balaji Iyer, Managing Partner at Moss Adams, driving home the future vision: ‘Who wants to slog 60 hours during busy seasons when AI can redefine efficiency? The future is here, and technology is rewriting the rules.’ Moderated by Giridhar Rajgopa (Sentient Soutions), the panel included other luminaries, including Manish Bathija (BDO India), Prasad GVR (Sikich India), Shrenik Shah (Armanino), and Vijay Narayandas (BDO RISE), who shared actionable insights on embracing innovation to stay ahead globally.
The discussion, led by Giridhar Rajgopa of Sentient Solutions, featured a distinguished panel comprising Manish Bathija from BDO India, Prasad GVR of Sikich India, Shrenik Shah from Armanino, and Vijay Narayandas of BDO RISE. They provided valuable insights on the importance of adopting innovation to maintain a competitive edge on a global scale.
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A key focus of the discussion was workforce transformation, specifically addressing skill gaps and developing professionals who are ready for the industry. The panel, led by Bhaskar Ranjan Das, former Director at AICPA, explored strategies for establishing talent pipelines that not only tackle skill shortages but also equip professionals to thrive in a rapidly changing global environment.
The conclave also sought to tackle the critical need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry, with the objective of establishing well-defined routes for students to transition smoothly into the workforce. By incorporating international qualifications such as CPA and CMA into university curricula discussions focused on how academic programmes can adapt to the dynamic requirements of the professional landscape.
