Section 26
Unqualified persons not to sign documents.
The Chartered Accountants Act, 1949
About this Act
An Act to make provision for the regulation of the profession of chartered accountants.
(1) No person other than a member of the Institute shall sign any document on behalf of a 1[chartered accountant in practice] or a 2[firm of such chartered accountants] in his or its professional capacity.
3[(2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall, without prejudice to any other proceedings, which may be taken against him, be punishable on first conviction with a fine not less than 4[ one lakh rupees] but which may extend to 5[five lakh rupees], and in the event of a second or subsequent conviction with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine not less 6[two lakh rupees] but which may extend to 7[ten lakh rupees] or with both.]
3[(2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall, without prejudice to any other proceedings, which may be taken against him, be punishable on first conviction with a fine not less than 4[ one lakh rupees] but which may extend to 5[five lakh rupees], and in the event of a second or subsequent conviction with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine not less 6[two lakh rupees] but which may extend to 7[ten lakh rupees] or with both.]
Notes
1. Subs. by Act 15 of 1959, s. 22, for chartered accountant (w.e.f. 1-7-1959).
2. Subs. by s. 22, ibid., for firm of chartered accountants (w.e.f. 1-7-1959).
3. Subs. by Act 9 of 2006, s. 23, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 8-8-2006).
4. Subs. by Act 12 of 2022, s. 31, for "five thousand rupees" (w.e.f. 10-5-2022).
5. Subs. by s. 31, ibid., for "one lakh rupees" (w.e.f. 10-5-2022).
6. Subs. by s. 31, ibid., for "ten thousand rupees" (w.e.f. 10-5-2022).
7. Subs. by s. 31, ibid., for "two lakh rupees" (w.e.f. 10-5-2022).
2. Subs. by s. 22, ibid., for firm of chartered accountants (w.e.f. 1-7-1959).
3. Subs. by Act 9 of 2006, s. 23, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 8-8-2006).
4. Subs. by Act 12 of 2022, s. 31, for "five thousand rupees" (w.e.f. 10-5-2022).
5. Subs. by s. 31, ibid., for "one lakh rupees" (w.e.f. 10-5-2022).
6. Subs. by s. 31, ibid., for "ten thousand rupees" (w.e.f. 10-5-2022).
7. Subs. by s. 31, ibid., for "two lakh rupees" (w.e.f. 10-5-2022).