Chartered accountants' apex body ICAI has started offering a short term programme on anti-money laundering laws to help its members have a better understanding to deal with the menace of black money.

The government is working on various ways to curb the menace of illicit fund flows. Apart from provisions already in place, last year, Parliament had passed a bill to deal with black money stashed abroad.

The certificate course, being offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), on anti-money laundering laws is spread over six days and the course is for a total of 40 hours.

ICAI President Manoj Fadnis told PTI that the course would be useful for members since anti-money laundering laws are becoming important and they need to be trained in this area from the beginning itself.

When asked about sensitising its members on ways to ensure that corporate misdoings are prevented, Fadnis said it is an ongoing process.

"Members have to be careful while issuing audit reports and before doing professional work for any client, they should know who the client is, what is the background of the client so that you will know what kind of service you are rendering to whom," he noted.

With such measures, one would not be caught by surprise if he or she comes across issues relating to money laundering, he added.

The institute plans to conduct the certificate programme in different parts of the country.

Last May, Parliament had approved the 'Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Bill, 2015'.