CA Abhijit Kelkar on GDP, AI & the future of the profession | Coffee with CA

What does it mean to be a chartered accountant in a world shaped by AI, policy, and rapid economic change?

In this episode of Coffee with CA, host Geena Bharwani sits down with CA Abhijit Kelkar—a lawyer, policy voice, author of GDP Decoded, and a thought leader who has spent 25+ years shaping the profession.

In this powerful conversation, CA Abhijit Kelkar shares:
His journey from qualification to building a 25-year practice
Why he believes “you live as a CA and you die as a CA”
The real meaning behind India’s GDP and why he wrote a book on it
His bold take: “AI won’t replace CAs—but CAs who use AI will”
How CAs can stay relevant across generations—gurus, mavericks, and digital dynamos
Why India’s Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities hold the key to the nation’s next big leap
Leadership lessons from serving on ICAI, economic councils, and policy boards

Whether you're a CA, a commerce student, a business leader, or someone fascinated by India’s economic future, this episode is packed with clarity, perspective, and wisdom you'll enjoy.
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Host: Geena Bharwani, Zoho

00:00 – Introduction
00:25 – “You live as a CA, you die as a CA”
01:01 – Why he stepped into the world of economics
01:21 – The responsibility behind decoding GDP
01:31 – Writing GDP Decoded & simplifying complex terms
01:49 – Early career choices after qualifying as a CA
02:02 – Entrepreneurship mindset from family influence
02:10 – Starting practice from Day 1
02:38 – Building a firm and 25 years in practice
03:02 – Leading the Nagpur Branch of ICAI
03:31 – His leadership philosophy: Taking everyone along
04:18 – The evolution of the CA profession over 25 years
04:50 – The three generations of CAs: Gurus, mavericks & digital dynamos
05:40 – How technology challenges each generation differently
06:29 – Why digital-first CAs will shape the future
07:01 – Importance of adapting to regulations & technology
08:00 – Access to information: Then vs. now
08:31 – Applying judgment vs. relying on tools
08:47 – His perspective on AI in CA practice
09:14 – “AI won’t replace CAs—but CAs who use AI will”
10:02 – The risks of over-relying on technology
10:55 – Advice to young CAs entering the profession
11:24 – Why he pursued law along with CA
12:03 – How LLB shaped his understanding of interpretation
12:41 – Common misconceptions in law
13:27 – Why he chose GDP as the subject of his first book
14:04 – What GDP really represents (and its limitations)
14:57 – The metric he thinks matters more than GDP
15:14 – Advice for leaders: Ask the right question
15:49 – Experience working with government authorities
16:06 – Why India must refocus on Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities
17:00 – His advice to new CAs on India’s economic rise
18:48 – The reality of starting a CA practice
19:09 – His vision for legacy & building a 300–400 person firm
19:51 – Moving into the fun rapid-fire segment
20:11 – What GDP would be like if it were a person
20:25 – Which balance sheet item best represents him
20:32 – The historical event he would audit
21:16 – The mindset he carries into high-stakes rooms
21:30 – Closing thoughts