Bhubaneswar: Experts and professionals delved into the practical difficulties and new developments shaping bank audits in 2026 during a full-day seminar held at ICAI Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.
The event, titled “Bank Audit 2026 – Practical Challenges and Emerging Issues,” was organised by the Bhubaneswar Branch of the Eastern India Regional Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), in collaboration with the Auditing & Assurance Standards Board.
In his welcome address, Branch Chairman Goutam Lenka highlighted the growing complexities in bank audits and the need for continuous upskilling among professionals. Seminar Chairman CA. Arun Kumar Verma outlined key practical hurdles encountered by auditors in their work. Special guest Prashant Panda, who serves as Statutory Central Auditor for Punjab National Bank, stressed the importance of maintaining professional scepticism and strict adherence to auditing standards. Chief Guest Sujoy Dutta, general manager at UCO Bank, provided valuable perspectives on rising risks within the banking sector and underscored the crucial role of auditors in ensuring transparency and financial discipline.
The technical sessions offered in-depth discussions led by prominent experts. P Siva Rama Prasad from Hyderabad addressed major risk areas and effective audit strategies for bank branch audits. Shweta Jayant Jain from Mumbai focused on real-world challenges involved in the audit of advances (loans and credit facilities).
Over 300 chartered accountants and audit professionals from across the region participated and praised the initiative as timely, insightful, and directly applicable to contemporary banking audit practices.
Soumya Sunil Sahoo, Secretary of the Bhubaneswar Branch, delivered the vote of thanks. The event was coordinated by Prithvi Ranjan Parhi, vice chairman, alongside Managing Committee members Gagan Bihari Das, Pranab Kishore Das, and Saswat Tripathy.
