A fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Verendra Kalra is the firm's Managing Partner. Having qualified as a CA in 1990, he has under his belt 35 years of multi-layered, multi-sectoral, top-of-the-pyramid post qualification experience.

His extensive testimony experiences include client-facing roles across sectors including manufacturing, banking, insurance, PSUs, educational, NPO’s/NGO’s among others. Besides his grasp on Assurance and Internal Audits, he has considerable expertise in dealing with consultancy and representation in the sphere of Income Tax, IT Search and Seizure cases, representing the clients before Appellate Forums and the Settlement Commission. He also specializes in cross border transactions, international tax structuring, litigations and transfer pricing. On the Indirect Taxes front, his expertise in Service Tax and GST matters include advising and representing individual and corporate clients, providing support and strategic advice on a real time basis.

Verendra follows a clinical and professional approach to navigate the firm’s growth through the complex global business environment. A passionate tech follower, an innovator and designer at heart, he is instrumental in designing, conceptualizing and successfully implementing the firm’s top of the line internally developed ERP software, SOP’s, quality control standards and internal controls processes.

He is an articulate and eloquent speaker, contributing at several public forums by providing thought leadership on diverse topics and contentious issues relating to Domestic and International Taxes, the Union Budgets, IFRS, IAS and the Accounting Standards among others. He is a regular speaker on behalf of the ICAI/Other associations at seminars and has delivered over the years more than 100 lectures on various topics of professional interest.

With the aim and passion to give back to the society, he has floated his own charitable entity ‘VKC Foundation’ and has also served/is serving on the boards of several acclaimed and esteemed organizations, corporations and NGOs. His affiliations outside the firm reflect his commitment to his family, upliftment of the economically backward and supporting education of the underprivileged children.

Besides being a fitness freak, an ardent reader and avid photographer, Verendra also loves bird watching. Office treks and off sites are planned half yearly under his watch and expert guidance owing to his enthusiasm for nature and hiking.

Career and Qualifications

• Graduate of the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India with 13th all India rank.
• Diploma in the field of Information Systems Audit (ICAI).
• Diploma in the field of CAAT (Computer Aided Audit Tools).
• Certificate course in IFRS.

Publications co-authored for ICAI

• The basic draft of the Guidance Note published by the Research Committee in 2004 on Accounting by Schools.
• The basic draft of the Technical Guide published by the Internal Audit Standards Board, ICAI in 2010 on Internal Audit of Educational Institutions.
• The basic draft of the Standard on Internal Audit (SIA) -17 published by the Internal Audit Standards Board, ICAI in 2010 on Consideration of Laws & Regulations in an internal audit.

Positions served/ serving as member on the boards of Professional Bodies

• Dehradun Branch of CIRC of ICAI for almost 10 years (1995-2005) and also served as the Chairman in 2003.
• Internal Audits Standard’s Board of ICAI, New Delhi in 2009-10.
• Delhi Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors of India (IIA) in 2012-13 to 2014-15.
• 4i committee of Bombay Chartered Accountant’s Society in 2014.
• The Institute of Internal Auditors, New Delhi Chapter
• Shield  panel member  in respect of 'ICAI Awards for Excellence in Financial Reporting' for FY 2020-21 and FY 21-22.

Positions served/ serving on the boards of Trade associations, NGO’s/Government bodies as member/advisor/ special invitee

• Served as the Chairman of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Uttarakhand Chapter for 3 years from 2018-19 to 2020-21. Served as Co-Chairman for 8 years.
• Nominated member on the Startup Council of the Uttarakhand Government from 2019-2021.
• Nominated judicial member on the MSME Facilitation Council (a Quasi-judicial body) of the Uttarakhand Government from 2019-2021.
• Panel member on the Investor’s Grievances Redressal Committee of BSE -Uttarakhand since 2018-19.
• Founder Charter Member of TIE Dehradun since 2019.
• Governing Body member with the IMA Blood Bank, Dehradun in 2010 & 2012.
• Trustee of VKC Foundation.
• Served as member of the Dehradun Round Table for 7 years and headed the Table twice as Chairman in 2005 & 2006.
• Serving as Chairman of 41ers Association of India for last 6 years.
• Member of the Audit Committee of Doon Club for 2017-18.
• Member of the Doon Citizen Council since last more than 20 years.
• Member of the E-Rotary Club Dehradun since last 10 years.
• Active in assisting Angel funds for building the eco system for startups in Uttarakhand.
• Apart from this, member of various other professional and other trade bodies and NGO’s.