Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Indian-Origin Teen’s Chartered Accountant Record Leads to Finance Career
Lakshmanan Meyyappan studied accounting when he was much younger than most people who choose that career.
He began preparing for the ACCA qualification at age 15 during the Covid-19 lockdowns.
He finished the program in about a year.
Guinness World Records says he became the youngest male Chartered Accountant at 16 years and 170 days old.
He qualified in Dubai on 30 June 2021.
One report gives a different age of 16 years and 141 days, but the Guinness entry says 170 days.
Later, he earned the CFA charter and completed all its levels by age 18.
He is now studying for a master’s degree in finance and works in investment research.
He also enjoys designing and making watches.
Meyyappan Lakshanan became the Guinness World Records’ youngest male Chartered Accountant at 16 years and 170 days.
He qualified in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 30 June 2021, after beginning ACCA preparation at age 15.
His interest in finance developed during Covid-19 lockdowns after completing his Class 10 board examinations.
He later earned the CFA charter, completed all CFA levels by age 18, and is pursuing an MSc in Finance.
He now works as a Senior Research Analyst at Century Financial and designs and builds watches; one report gives his record age as 16 years and 141 days, differing from Guinness’s 170-day entry.
- Who
- Meyyappan Lakshanan, an Indian-origin finance professional; the Guinness entry spells his name Meyyappan Lakshanan.
- What
- He became the youngest male Chartered Accountant recorded by Guinness World Records and later pursued further finance qualifications.
- When
- He qualified on 30 June 2021 at 16 years and 170 days old according to Guinness World Records; one report states 141 days.
- Where
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
- Why
- He wanted to understand finance practically and develop skills useful over the long term; his interest grew during the Covid-19 lockdowns.
- Guinness record
- Youngest male Chartered Accountant
- Qualification date
- 30 June 2021
- Age in Guinness entry
- 16 years and 170 days
- Birth date
- 11 January 2005
- Accounting qualification
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants qualification, begun at age 15 and completed in about a year
- Further qualifications
- CFA charter; pursuing an MSc in Finance
- Current work
- Senior Research Analyst at Century Financial in Dubai
- Additional interest
- Designing and building watches
