ICAI Merger & Demerger Guidelines, 2024 w.e.f. 23 Jan 2025

ICAI Merger & Demerger Guidelines, 2024 (Effective 23 Jan 2025)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has issued new guidelines governing merger and demerger of CA firms. These replace all prior Council rules, and are applicable to firms as defined in Section 2(ca) of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.

Why New Guidelines?

• Gap in law: Partnership Act, 1932 doesn’t cover mergers/demergers; LLP Act, 2008 covers LLPs but not cross-entity situations.

• Objective: To promote consolidation, scale and competencies within CA practice, while preserving seniority and name rights.

• Practical impact: Pre-2024 rules cannot be relied upon (unless grandfathering clause applies).

Entity Compatibility

• Sole proprietorship → can merge with sole/partnership/LLP.

• Partnership firm → can merge with partnership/LLP.

• LLP → can merge only with LLP (not with sole prop or partnership).
   Risk: LLP → non-LLP mergers are invalid.

Key Processes

1. Merger

• Form MDG-1: File within 30 days of merger.

• Also file: Reconstitution deed with Registrar of Firms/ROC.

• Name freezing: ICAI freezes old firm names (s.20B). No professional activity under frozen names/FRN. UDINs for past work must be generated.

• Consent planning: 75% of surviving partners must later consent to unfreeze names; retiring/resigning partners must give NOCs.

• Authentication: Managing Partner + co-authorized partner authenticate via SSP (OTP).

2. Demerger

• Who can demerge? Only firms that previously merged.

• When? After 1 year and within 10 years of merger.

• Threshold: ≥75% of continuing partners of any one erstwhile firm.

• Form MDG-2: Notice to other partners + ICAI.

• Effects:

  • Demerging firm revives; can reclaim old name (frozen) if within 1–10 years.

  • Seniority = original establishment date + merged years.

• Filings: Both merged and demerged firms must file Form 18 under CA Regulations, 1988.

3. Unfreezing Old Name

• Form MDG-3: Filed after demerger.

• Consent: ≥75% surviving partners + NOCs from retirees/resignees.

• Window: Must act within 10 years, otherwise name right is lost.

Ethics & Compliance Notes

• Disclose s.144 Companies Act restrictions (audit independence).

• No audit rotation within merged firms.

• Maintain custody of core documents (deeds, staff records, tax/bank files).

• UDINs for pre-merger work must be completed.

Seniority Rules (Practical Impact)

• Merged firm → seniority = oldest establishment date among merging firms.

• Demerger → seniority = original establishment + years merged.

• Old name use → only after 1 year and within 10 years of merger.

• Simple name change (not a merger) → establishment date unchanged; old name frozen for 3 years (with “formerly known as …”).

Practical Checklists – As per ICAI Guidelines of CA Firm

Before Merger as per ICAI

• Verify entity compatibility (LLP→LLP only).

• Draft MDG-1 with demerger terms, ≥75% rule, ethics caveats.

• File MDG-1 + deed with ICAI/RoF/ROC within 30 days.

• Identify Managing Partner + co-authorized partner for OTP.

While Merged as per ICAI issued new guidelines of CA Firm

• No professional work under frozen names/FRNs.

• Generate all pending UDINs.

• Update constitution changes via SSP OTP.

For Demerger as per ICAI issued new guidelines of CA Firm

• Check 1–10 year window.

• File MDG-2 (≥75% continuing partners).

• File Form 18 under CA Regulations.

• After demerger, file MDG-3 to unfreeze old name.

These guidelines create a formal legal-regulatory pathway for mergers and demergers of CA firms, protect seniority continuity, and regulate firm name freezing/unfreezing. Missed filings, wrong entity pairings, or ignoring the 1–10 year rule can permanently cost seniority or old name rights.

ICAI plans to spearhead multidisciplinary practice firms in India.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is discussing plans to spearhead multidisciplinary practice firms in India. Key Points Covered multidisciplinary practice firms in India

• Objective of MDP Firms : Institute of Chartered Accountants of India aims to allow firms to offer services across multiple disciplines, not just traditional accounting and auditing. This initiative is intended to align with global practices and meet evolving client needs.
• Regulatory Framework : Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is working on creating a regulatory structure for MDP firms. The framework will ensure compliance with existing laws and professional standards.
• Benefits for Members : Members will have opportunities to collaborate with professionals from other fields like law, management, and technology. This will help firms provide integrated solutions to clients.
• Challenges : Harmonizing rules across different professional bodies. Addressing concerns about independence and conflict of interest.
• Future Outlook : Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is engaging with stakeholders and government authorities to finalize guidelines. The initiative is seen as a step toward modernization and global competitiveness.

At the bottom, a bold statement emphasizes: “Ultimately, the entire intent and independence of auditors are gone. We are looking at how independence can be ensured and how conflict of interest can be avoided.”

Quick Reference: Forms- ICAI Guidelines governing merger and demerger of CA firms