EOI for Appointment of Internal Auditors for ICAI Units – FY 2026–27

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), through Announcement No. EOI/IA/2026-27 dated 01/08/2026, has invited Expressions of Interest from eligible Chartered Accountant firms for engagement as internal auditors for its Head Office, Regional Councils, Decentralized Offices and Branches for the financial year 2026-27. The notice prescribes separate eligibility criteria for Head Office, Regional Councils/Decentralized Offices and Branches, including minimum partner strength, FCA requirements, years of standing, statutory audit experience and office location. It also specifies disqualifications, declaration requirements, scope of work, audit objectives, half-yearly reporting, audit fees, and a point-based selection system covering peer review status, partners, employees and firm age. Applications are to be submitted only through the prescribed online link by 15 August 2026, 1800 hours, while queries may be emailed until 12 August 2026, 1800 hours. The application remains valid for 90 days, and the notice sets out additional terms relating to confidentiality, engagement, arbitration, jurisdiction and the list of audit units with applicable audit fees.

Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Notice Inviting Expression of Interest for engagement of Chartered Accountant Firms for Internal Audit of various units of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)

[Announcement No EOI/IA/2026-27 Dated 01/08/2026]

ICAI is inviting applications from eligible Chartered Accountant firms for engagement as internal auditor for its various units i.e. Head Office, Regional Councils, Decentralized Offices and Branches (Details whereof are given in Annexure – “A” hereto) for the financial year 2026-27.

A. Eligibility Criteria:

1. Basic Criteria:

2. Qualifications: The Chartered Accountants Firm shall not be eligible to apply if:

• The partner of the firm is / has been a member of Central Council/ Regional Council / Branch Managing Committee of ICAI during the current year and immediate past four years.
• The firm or any of its partners has any pecuniary or other interest in the ICAI such as faculty, examiner, observer etc.
• The Chartered Accountants Firm or any of its partners has been declared guilty of any professional and/or other misconduct under the provisions of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 during the current year and / or immediate past five years.
• There are proceedings pending against either of the partners or the firm with respect to professional matters of conduct.
• The audit firm is associated with any foreign audit firm.

Declaration:

The applicant, while expressing their interest, shall be required to submit a declaration that they do not suffer from any of the above disqualifications and the details furnished in this regard are true and correct. Any incorrect information furnished will lead to rejection of the application.

B. Scope of Work:

The auditor shall review the existence and effectiveness of control system(s) and report on the adequacy of those controls, as well as deficiencies, if any.

The key objective of the internal audit is to ensure the following at ICAI:

• orderly and efficient conduct of Institute’s working,
• adherence to Institute’s policies,
• the safeguarding of its assets,
• the prevention and detection of fraud and errors,
• the accuracy and completeness of the accounting records and statutory compliances,
• the timely preparation of reliable financial information.

Detailed scope of audit shall be shared at the time of engagement.

The audit report shall be submitted on half yearly basis within one month from the close of the respective period.

C. Audit Fee: The payment for the said assignment shall be as specified in Annexure – “A” hereto. The fees shall be inclusive of out-of-pocket expenses. No TA/ DA or out-of-pocket expenses shall be paid. However, the fees shall be exclusive of GST and shall be paid on submission of final audit report.

D. Selection Criteria: The applicant shall be shortlisted based on below point based system:

E. Other Terms & Conditions:

1. Interested Applicants which meet the eligibility criteria may furnish their Expression of Interest at the following link:

Financial Year 2026-27 – Fill out form

2. There shall be no fee for the application.

3. The application for the said assignment shall be accepted only through the above link and should be submitted latest by 15^th August, 2026 up to 1800 hours.

4. Queries, if any, in this regard may be sent to audit@icai.in. Any communication other than email will not be entertained. The last date for receipt of queries regarding submission of expression of interest is 12^th August, 2026 up to 1800 hours.

5. The application shall remain valid for 90 days from the last date of submission of applications.

6. Any amendment / corrigendum / clarification to the EOI will be posted on the website of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, e. www.icai.org.

7. The ICAI shall not be liable for non receipt/late receipt of any of the applications for this Expression of Interest.

8. The ICAI reserves the right to reject any of the applications or whole process without assigning any reason at any time and may call for any other details or additional information from any of the applicants/members at its own discretion. Non submission of details sought for will render the firm ineligible for the assignment. In this regard, the decision of ICAI shall be final and binding on all the applicants.

9. The decision of the Audit Committee of ICAI shall be final as regard to selection of the firm out of the applications so received.

10. Incomplete applications shall be summarily rejected.

11. Audit shall be conducted by appointed firm only and shall not be allowed to sublet the audit assignment.

12. The auditor shall maintain confidentiality of information obtained during the course of audit.

13. The engagement of the auditor shall terminate on acceptance of the internal audit report for the half year ended 31^st March, 2027, by ICAI. However, ICAI may terminate the engagement of the auditor, at any time, without assigning any reason. In such cases, the firm shall not be eligible for any remuneration.

14. In case of any dispute or difference arising out of or in connection with any of the term and condition of this Notice / Engagement Letter issued to the selected Auditor, in the first instance, the parties shall try to resolve the issue by mutual consultation, failing which the same shall be referred to the sole arbitrator to be appointed mutually by both the parties. The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 and any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof, shall apply to these arbitration proceedings. Arbitration proceedings shall be held at Delhi, and the language of the arbitration proceeding shall be in English. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon both the parties. All arbitral awards shall be in writing and shall state the reasons therefor. Each party shall bear its own cost in the Arbitration proceedings.

15. Subject to the arbitration clause as mentioned above, the Courts at Delhi/New Delhi shall have the exclusive jurisdiction to try any suit in the matter.

16. Detailed profile of the firm and declaration with respect to para 2 of Eligibility Criteria be mailed at audit@icai.in.

Annexure – “A”

List of the units for which applications are sought for