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You can
- Share tax updates, due dates and regulatory changes with your name or firm name
- Run a Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or YouTube page
- Use the CA India logo, unaltered
- Have a website with your services, team and articles, and grow it with SEO
Avoid
- A firm logo, monogram or slogan of your own
- Fees, testimonials or "best CA" claims
- Asking people to like, follow or visit your page
- Pushing audit (CA-only) services to people who did not ask
Check first
- Paid boosts, Google and Meta ads
- WhatsApp broadcasts to non-clients
- Listings on aggregator portals and directories
The two rules behind everything
Every marketing rule for CAs comes from two clauses of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 (First Schedule, Part I). The Code of Ethics explains how they apply.
No soliciting work
A practising CA may not seek clients or work, directly or indirectly, by circular, advertisement, personal contact, interview or any other means.
No advertising, with one exception
A practising CA may not advertise their attainments or services, or use any designation other than "Chartered Accountant". The exception is a factual "write-up" that follows the Council Guidelines for Advertisement.
The simple test: are you informing people (facts, updates, knowledge) or persuading them to hire you (claims, offers, comparisons)? Informing is generally fine. Persuading is where the rules bite.
What changed in 2026
ICAI's Council approved a revised Code on 12 December 2025 and published the 13th edition on 30 May 2026. It applies from 1 April 2026 and replaces the 2020 Code. Many blogs still quote the old rules.
- Client names are now allowed, with consentYou may name a client and the work done if the client agrees. For audit and other attest work, the client's name only.
- No more font-size limit on write-upsThe 2020 Code capped write-ups at font size 14. That cap is gone.
- Non-exclusive services can be promotedYour website can actively promote services that are not reserved for CAs, such as accounting, consultancy and advisory. Audit and other CA-only work is still "pull" only.
- Aggregator apps allowed for non-exclusive servicesThe 2020 Code banned mixed aggregator apps outright. Now they are off-limits only for CA-only services.
- New name for the guidelines"Guidelines on Ethical Issues, 2026" replace the Council General Guidelines, 2008.
Your website
Your website can say much more than a social post. The key rule: audit and other CA-only services must stay "pull", meaning shown to people who come looking, never pushed out to them.
| Allowed on your website | Details |
|---|---|
| Firm facts | Name, year of establishment, office addresses, working hours, contact details, peer review status, AQMM level |
| People | Partners and staff, passport-style photographs, job vacancies and articleship openings |
| Services | List of services. Non-exclusive services (accounting, advisory) may be actively promoted. |
| Knowledge | Blogs, articles, professional updates, educational videos, galleries of professional events |
| Tools for clients | Chat, a password-protected document portal, online advice to clients who ask (free or paid) |
| Links | ICAI and government websites, your firm's social media page |
| Clients | Client names and work done, only with the client's consent (attest work: name only) |
Get found through SEO
Clear service pages, blogs and articles help people who are searching find you. That is "pull", which the rules favour. Keep the content accurate and factual.
Cl. 3.3.3, 3.3.10Promote permitted services
Accounting, GST, tax filing, advisory and other services that are not reserved for CAs may be promoted, in factual, dignified and non-misleading language.
Cl. 3.3.3Fees
Not allowed, unless a regulator requires disclosure, and then only with the note the Code prescribes.
Cl. 3.3.7(xiii)Banner ads
No advertisement banners on your website.
Cl. 3.3.16Ads & write-ups
A "write-up" is the one form of advertisement ICAI allows. It must be factual and may run in newspapers, directories, websites and on social media.
What your write-up may include
"CA [Name]", membership number, age, ACA/FCA dates, date of the certificate of practice, qualifications, languages known, address, phone, email, website, CA India logo, passport-style photo, number of staff, services offered.
What your firm's write-up may include
Firm name with "Chartered Accountants", firm registration number (FRN), year of establishment, offices, working hours, contact details, partners, CA India logo, website, staff, services, network affiliation.
Source: Council Guidelines for Advertisement, Code of Ethics 2026, Vol I, Ch. 3, cl. 3.2.1 (A) and (B).
Never do this
Cold letters, emails or circulars
Do not send your profile or offers to people who did not ask, even if they are likely to need a CA.
Cl. 2.14.1.6(iv) I, KOther designations
No "Income Tax Consultant", "Management Consultant" or "Corporate Lawyer" on professional documents. Do not use CA together with Advocate or CS.
Cl. 2.14.1.7(ii), (v), (vi)Private awards
Only awards from the Central or State government or a regulator may be mentioned. No private awards or accreditations.
Cl. 3.1.3 FSponsoring events
Not allowed, except ICAI-approved CPE events. For CSR sponsorship you may show "CA [Name]" only, with no firm name and no logo.
Cl. 2.14.1.6(iv) GGlow signboards
No shop-style lit or glow sign boards for your office.
Cl. 2.14.1.7(xiv)Coaching hoardings
Do not advertise teaching or coaching through hoardings, posters or banners.
Cl. 2.14.1.6(iv) HGrey areas
The Code does not name these directly. This is how the written rules appear to apply. If in doubt, ask the ICAI Ethical Standards Board.
Paid boosts, Google and Meta ads
A factual write-up may run in "push" mode on websites and social media, so a plain write-up ad looks acceptable. Promoting audit or other CA-only work through ads is risky.
WhatsApp broadcasts
Sending updates to your existing clients who agreed to receive them is the safe route. Broadcasts to non-clients can look like soliciting under Clause (6).
Search-engine and directory listings
An older rule limited search fields to "CA", "Indian CA" and similar terms. It is not in the 2026 Code text. Alphabetical member directories and ICAI's CA Connect remain fine.
Posters that stay within the rules
OneClick Branding gives you due date, tax update and festival posters. These are informative, not promotional, which is the kind of content the rules allow. Set up your profile like this if you are a practising CA:
- Use "CA [Your Name]"Show your own name with the CA prefix. Keep the firm name to "Chartered Accountants" style, never a styled logo.
- CA India logo, or noneDo not upload a firm logo or monogram. If you add a logo, use the CA India logo exactly as issued.
- Contact details, no sales linesPhone, email and address are fine. Leave out slogans, fees, offers and "best" claims.
- Share, don't chasePost on your page and send to your clients. Do not add "like and follow us" or send to people who did not ask.
Tools for your practice
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Nexus CRM
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Learnings
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Frequently asked questions
Can a CA have a Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn page?
Yes. A factual write-up may appear on social networking sites, and a firm may link its social media page from its website. What you cannot do is ask people to "visit", "like" or "follow" the page.
Can I post GST and Income Tax updates with my name or firm name?
Yes. Sharing professional updates and educational content with "CA [Name]" and your firm name is allowed, and ICAI's October 2022 advisory encourages educational posts by members. Keep posts factual: no claims about yourself, no fees, no comparison with others.
Can I put my firm's own logo on posters?
Use the official CA India logo instead. It is the only logo ICAI permits; a firm's own logo or monogram, or a firm name styled as a logo, is not allowed on any display media, and the CA India logo must be used without changes.
Can I mention my fees on social media or my website?
No, unless a regulator requires you to disclose them, and then only with the note the Code prescribes.
Can I name my clients now?
Since 1 April 2026, yes, with the client's permission. For attest work (audits) you may give only the client's name, not details of the work.
Can I run Google or Instagram ads?
The Code does not name paid ads. A factual write-up is allowed on websites and social media in "push" mode, but audit and other CA-only services may not be pushed. Keep any paid ad to a plain write-up and avoid promoting audit work.
Can I send due date reminders on WhatsApp?
Sending to existing clients who have agreed to receive them is the safe route. Unsolicited broadcasts to people who are not your clients can look like soliciting work, which Clause (6) forbids.
Sources
- ICAI Code of Ethics, 13th edition (2026), Volume I: Clauses (6) and (7) at 2.14.1.6–2.14.1.7; Council Guidelines for Advertisement at Chapter 3
- ICAI announcement: Revised Code of Ethics, 13th edition (30 May 2026)
- ICAI advisory: use of designation "Chartered Accountant" or prefix "CA" by members (22 Oct 2022)
- ICAI Ethical Standards Board: for questions on your own case
- CA Connect: ICAI's own directory of members
These notes are meant to help Chartered Accountants communicate professionally under the ICAI Code of Ethics, 13th edition. Members should follow the applicable ICAI provisions and any later clarifications. This page is a plain-language summary for general information, checked against the Code on 17 October 2026. It is not legal or ethical advice. The Code of Ethics and ICAI's announcements are the final word, so read the clause or ask the Ethical Standards Board before acting on a specific case.
Social media & posters
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, X and WhatsApp Status. Use them to share useful professional information and stay in touch with your clients.
Have a page or profile
A factual write-up may appear on social networking sites, and your website may link to your social media page.
Code 2026, Ch. 3, cl. 3.1.2(iii), 3.3.12Share updates with your name or firm name
Tax and GST updates, due dates, regulatory changes and articles may carry "CA [Name]" and your firm name. ICAI's October 2022 advisory says educational posts help the profession's reputation. The one exception: do not mention your firm when speaking at lectures and conferences.
ICAI advisory, 22 Oct 2022; cl. 2.14.1.6(iv) D, 2.14.1.7(vii), (xi), (xiii)Post educational videos
Videos and podcasts may show your designation, address, phone, email and firm name. They may not show your website address.
Code 2026, cl. 2.14.1.6(iv) QUse the official CA India logo
The CA India logo prescribed by ICAI (2023 design) may go on posters, letterheads, visiting cards, websites and signage, used as per ICAI's usage guidelines, without changing colours or shape.
Cl. 2.14.1.7(xviii), Appendix L; guidelines of 24 Nov 2023Festival greetings and event photos
Photos from your own festival or cultural events are fine, as long as nothing in them advertises or solicits work.
Cl. 3.1.3 (H)"Like, follow, visit" requests
Do not ask people to visit or like your social media page, and do not send circulars asking people to visit your website.
Cl. 3.3.5, 3.3.12A firm logo of your own
The CA India logo is the only logo ICAI permits. A firm's own logo or monogram, or a firm name designed to look like a logo, is not permitted on any media, and the CA India logo must not be modified.
Cl. 2.14.1.7(xvii)Claims, fees and testimonials
No "best CA in town", no comparisons, no client reviews of you or your fees, no prices.
Cl. 3.1.3 B–E, 3.3.7(xiii)