166 placed at ICWAI recruitment drive

CHENNAI: The recruitment drive of the southern chapter of The Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (ICWAI) held in Chennai on Sunday saw 166 candidates (December 2008 batch) getting placement across 10 companies from the manufacturing and services sectors.

ICWAI Southern India regional Council chairman (coaching) P Raju Iyer said although highest offer came down to Rs 6.5 lakh p.a. from Rs 7 lakh last year, the average salary offered had gone up this year ��� Rs 4.5 lakh p.a., against last year���s Rs 4 lakh.

The number of recruits per participating company too had gone up this year. The last recruitment drive in September saw 18 companies giving offer letters to 188 candidates.

Of the companies that participated, Rane Holdings, Amara Raja Batteries and Bangalore-based Affiliated Computer Services came for the first time. BPO firm, Scope International was the largest recruiter (50 offers), followed by Affiliated Computer Services (40 offers).

���The recession has not had any major effect on our profession. Since companies are talking of cost-cutting, they would need more cost accountants,��� he said. While 50% of the candidates had no work experience, the balance had an experience of one and ten years.

The recruitment drive is into its third year and is conducted twice a year ��� in April and September.