Students, graduates urged to consider career in professional accountancy

Students and young graduates should consider a career in accountancy so that Rwanda can address the current shortage of professional accountants. Obadiah Biraro, the Auditor General, said it is important to attract more Rwandans to join the profession, noting that training more local professional accountants will end reliance on regional experts. Biraro was speaking during the Institute of Certified Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) graduation ceremony, where 101 students were awarded certificates after completing professional accountants’ courses in ACCA, CPA and CAT at the event at the Kigali Serena Hotel last week. “It’s high time Rwandans took accountancy to the next level. It is the only way we will move the economy forward, especially with the available facilities. The big economies in the region have taken over 40 years to reach where they are today, but Rwanda’s could take a shorter period if all institutions utilised professionals,” he noted. Rwanda currently has 301 registered professional accountants, according to John Munga, the ICPAR secretary general. “Although ICPAR currently has 301 registered members, almost half are not active members and others are working abroad, which leaves a skills gap,” he said. Rwandans pursuing professional courses in accountancy have been receiving professional qualifications from other countries, but ICPAR is currently running its first CPA qualification programme whose candidates will graduate early next year. ICPAR is a professional accountancy organisation that was established in June 2008 with an aim of regulating the accounting profession in Rwanda. Meanwhile, Rwanda participants in the 2013 FiRe Awards were also awarded at the event. The awards seek to promote excellence in Financial Reporting among institutions in the East African Community. Local firms and government agencies like the Ministry of Trade and Industry, NPD CONTRACO, Bank of Kigali, KCB Rwanda, National Bank of Rwanda and Unguka Bank were recognised at the 2011 edition of FiRe awards. FiRe Awards promote transparency, integrity and accountability in the corporate reporting process so that firms meet international standards. A 2008 World Bank report on observance of standards and codes-accounting and auditing indicated the need to improve auditing to meet International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and international standards. Damascene Nizeyimana one of the recognised students and an auditor with EY said professionalism is key in the accountancy profession, noting that advanced training in accounting skills will enhance efficiency and governance, which is a big boost to private sector. Peace Uwase, the ICPAR vice-president, said is essential that investment experts are accountable and follow the code of conduct to improve internal standards. Uwase added that recognising outstanding professionals in the private and public sectors could promote efficiency and quality among professional accountants.

News

Students, graduates urged to consider career in professional accountancy