Pune,Oct 19: India’s finance talent landscape is evolving as Global Capability Centres take on increasingly complex business functions beyond routine accounting and reporting. According to Quess Corp’s India’s GCC Non-Tech Talent Landscape 2026 report, demand for non-technology roles in GCCs reached 339,200 in 2025, registering 49.2% year-on-year growth. Finance, sales operations and business operations together accounted for more than 60% of this demand, highlighting the growing importance of these functions within global business operations. As finance roles expand to include areas such as financial analysis, compliance, reporting and business decision-making, professionals need to combine technical knowledge with analytical capabilities and an understanding of global accounting practices.
Against this backdrop, Simandhar Education Services Private Limited has partnered with Imperial School of Banking and Management, Pune, to integrate preparation for the US Certified Public Accountant qualification alongside its Post Graduate Diploma in Management programme.
The partnership will give interested students an opportunity to pursue a globally recognised professional accounting qualification alongside their management studies. Under the three-year, renewable Memorandum of Understanding, Simandhar Education will provide US CPA preparation through classroom-based, hybrid or face-to-face training formats, depending on the student cohort. The first batch will follow a classroom-based format. Students will receive two years of access to Simandhar’s learning management system (LMS), test bank and Becker Professional Education’s learning resources and LMS.
Commenting on the partnership, Sripal Jain, Co-founder, Simandhar Education, said,
“Finance roles are evolving as organisations take on more complex responsibilities across financial reporting, controls, compliance and business analysis. The latest GCC talent trends reflect the growing importance of finance and business operations within global organisations. Professionals entering this space need to combine domain knowledge with analytical capabilities and an understanding of global business practices. However, students often encounter these expectations only when they enter the job market. Integrating qualifications such as the US CPA alongside management education gives interested students an opportunity to build specialised technical knowledge earlier in their careers. Through our partnership with Imperial School of Banking and Management, we aim to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the competencies required in today’s finance industry.”
The programme will also support students through key stages of the US CPA qualification process, including credential evaluation, eligibility requirements and examination applications. Students who complete all four sections of the US CPA examination will receive support with internship exposure, resume preparation, interview readiness and placement assistance. The US CPA qualification covers four examination sections, which candidates must complete within the prescribed 30-month period beginning with their first examination. Candidates are required to score at least 75 in each section to pass.
The partnership may also introduce supplementary learning in areas such as AI for Finance, subject to programme requirements.
Mr. D Surya Prakash, Chairman, and Dr. Anuja Ashtewale, Director, Imperial School of Banking and Management, said,
“Management education needs to prepare students to understand both the broader business environment and the technical frameworks that support financial decision-making. By offering US CPA preparation alongside our PGDM programme, we are creating an additional learning pathway for students interested in accounting, auditing and financial reporting. This allows them to build specialised knowledge alongside their management capabilities and explore a wider range of opportunities across banking, financial services and corporate finance.”
The partnership reflects a growing emphasis on connecting management education with professional qualifications and industry-relevant skills. By bringing US CPA preparation into the PGDM learning journey, Simandhar Education and Imperial School of Banking & Management aim to give students an opportunity to develop their management capabilities alongside specialised expertise in accounting and finance. Regards Twara Dholakia
