Examining the Role of Chartered Accountants in Financial Services: Evidence from Prapratham Finserv Private Limited

The financial services sector in India has undergone rapid transformation due to regulatory reforms, digitalization, increased tax compliance requirements, and the growing complexity of financial reporting. These developments have significantly expanded the responsibilities of Chartered Accountants (CAs), who now function not only as compliance professionals but also as strategic advisors to businesses and individuals. This study investigates the role of Chartered Accountants in financial service delivery and examines the challenges experienced by clients while availing professional accounting and advisory services. The research is based on a descriptive research design and utilizes both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 105 clients of Prapratham Finserv Private Limited, Karnataka, using convenience sampling. Percentage analysis and descriptive statistical techniques were employed to interpret the findings. The results indicate that Chartered Accountants contribute significantly to financial planning, taxation, GST compliance, auditing, business registration, and strategic decision-making. The study further reveals that while the majority of respondents expressed satisfaction with the quality of services, several challenges remain, including inadequate awareness of available services, communication gaps, complexity of taxation laws, and frequent regulatory changes. Trust, timely communication, and technological adoption emerged as critical determinants of client satisfaction and long-term professional relationships. The study concludes that regional financial consultancy firms can enhance service quality by strengthening digital service delivery, increasing financial literacy among clients, improving communication practices, and adopting client-centric advisory models. The findings contribute to the growing body of literature on professional financial services and provide practical recommendations for Chartered Accountants operating in India's evolving regulatory environment.