10 Richest Chartered Accountants in India

The Chartered Accountant is one of India's most prestigious and highly reputed professions. Because it is a highly lucrative profession, it is interesting to learn about the richest CAs in India, their net worth, age, educational background, early and present careers, major contributions, and what makes them unique. These CAs have played a significant role in transforming India's economy and business.

1. Kumar Mangalam Birla (Net Worth: $19 billion as of 2023)

Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla Took over the Aditya Birla Group at the age of 28 after his father's sudden demise in 1995. Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, a conglomerate interested in cement, metals, textiles, and telecom. He is not only a CA from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) but also has pursued an MBA from London Business School. He has played a pivotal role in transforming the Aditya Birla Group into a global powerhouse, expanding operations in over 40 countries. He pioneered the telecom merger between Vodafone India and Idea Cellular and is also known for his philanthropic efforts in education and healthcare.

2. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala (Net Worth: $5.8 billion at the time of his death in 2022)

Mr. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala started as a stock market investor with a small capital of Rs. 5,000 in 1985 and became one of India's most successful investors. Known as the "Warren Buffett of India," he inspired millions of retail investors with his stock market acumen and wealth creation strategies. He is the founder of Rare Enterprises, a portfolio management firm. He has built a massive portfolio through strategic investments in companies like Titan, CRISIL, and Lupin. He was also involved in launching Akasa Air, a low-cost airline.

3. Radhakishan Damani (Net Worth: $29.4 billion as of 2023)

Radhakishan Damani is one of India's wealthiest CAs. Starting his journey as a stock market investor, he built a reputation for his sharp financial insights. Later, he ventured into retail, which became the cornerstone of his immense success. In 2002, he founded DMart, a retail chain that disrupted the Indian supermarket industry and revolutionized it with its low-cost, high-volume business model. Beyond his financial achievements, Radhakishan Damani is celebrated for his understated lifestyle, humility, and visionary leadership.

4. Nitin Paranjpe (Net Worth: $50 million (estimated) )

Mr. Paranjpe started his career with Unilever and held various leadership roles. He is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Unilever and a key figure in the company's global operations. His strategies have significantly contributed to Unilever's growth in emerging markets, especially in India, one of the company's key markets.

5. Naina Lal Kidwai (Net Worth: $50 million (estimated))

She is the first Indian woman to get an MBA from Harvard Business School. She achieved this milestone in 1982 and has since been an inspirational figure in Indian banking and finance. After her MBA, she worked with leading organizations like ANZ Grindlays Bank and Morgan Stanley. She served as the CEO and Country Head of HSBC India, becoming one of the most prominent figures in the banking sector. Apart from her corporate accomplishments, she has been a strong advocate for sustainability, rural development, and women's empowerment.

6. Deepak Parekh (Net Worth: $100 million (estimated))

He is started his career with Ernst & Young in London and later worked with Grindlays Bank. In 1978, he joined HDFC Ltd. (Housing Development Finance Corporation), and within a decade, he became its Chairman. Under his leadership, HDFC became India's largest housing finance company, providing millions of Indians access to affordable home loans.

7. Uday Kotak (Net Worth: $13.8 billion as of 2023)

Mr Uday Kotak has pursued an MBA from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies in addition to his CA degree. He founded Kotak Mahindra Finance in 1985. In 2003, Kotak Mahindra Finance made history by becoming the first non-banking financial company (NBFC) in India to receive a banking license, officially transforming into Kotak Mahindra Bank. He is currently the CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank, one of India's leading private banks.

8. T N Manoharan (Net Worth: $5 million (estimated) )

Manoharan became a Chartered Accountant in 1983 and established his accounting firm, Manohar Chowdhry & Associates, in Chennai. He was elected to the central council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) in 2001 and became its President in 2006. He has also chaired various committees of the ICAI. In 2009, Manoharan was appointed as one of four members representing the Government of India on the board of Satyam Computer Services, where he contributed to the company's restructuring after a scandal. Manoharan was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor, in 2010.

9. Girish Vanvari (Estimated Net worth $600 million)

Girish Vanvari started his career as a partner and served as the Head of Tax at KPMG India. He played a crucial role in building KPMG India's tax practice, establishing it as one of the leading tax advisory firms in the country. He founded Transaction Square, a boutique tax and regulatory advisory firm.

10. Radhe Shyam Agrawal (Estimated Net worth $2.5 billion)

He is the Co-founder and Executive Chairman of the Emami Group, a global group of companies in various sectors including FMCG, paper, and real estate. Its flagship products, such as BoroPlus, Navratna Oil, and Zandu Balm are household names in India. He holds the titles of Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary. Radhe Shyam Agarwal is actively involved in charitable activities, particularly in education, healthcare, and rural development.