Accountants focusing on professional development

 THE Caribbean Conference of Accountants, held in June each year, continues to be the premier social event of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC), while at the same time ensuring the continued professional development of accountants in the region, in return for professional development hours.

Betty Brathwaite, President of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC), during the media
launch of the ICAC’s 31ST Annual Caribbean Conference.

A section of the audience gathered for the press launch
of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean
(ICAC), 31ST Annual Caribbean Conference.

This was the information revealed by Betty Brathwaite, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC), during a media launch held at the Hilton Hotel recently, to push the ICAC’s 31st Annual Caribbean Conference, to be held at that same hotel from June 27-29.

“Things change, yet they remain the same. Thirty-one years ago in Jamaica, our theme then was ‘Appraising the Caribbean Region: Challenges of the 1980s’. This year, we are focusing on ‘Global Challenges, Regional Solutions’. My point is that no matter the era, we are not without our challenges. As a profession [and] as a people, regional integration; Caribbean growth; anti-money laundering; and the economics of regional air transport as just a few examples, remain on the front burner,” Brathwaite remarked at the launch.

Brathwaite explained that the ICAC is the internationally-recognised body for the accountancy profession in the Caribbean, with an expanding influence in the region. It regulates the profession and promotes the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct. Through thought leadership and the provision of research, continuing professional development and other services, it adds value to its members and the wider community.

The conference, she said, therefore provides a forum for accountants in the region to network and to examine regulatory issues and other matters impacting the profession globally, as well as at the regional level.

“ICAC has a network of approximately 3 700 professionals and is the region’s leading organisation dedicated to advancing the interest of accountants in the Caribbean,” Brathwaite announced.

“Foremost on our agenda is the promotion of internationally acceptable standards and best practices, thought leadership, research and continuing professional development,” she added.

The ICAC president thanked members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados (ICAB) for doing a sterling job in putting all the logistics in place for the conference, while noting that she is looking forward to welcoming the 200-plus overseas delegates who will be afforded the opportunity to not only take in the Conference’s agenda of hot topics and noteworthy speakers, but who will also get the opportunity to explore and appreciate the island of Barbados, in more detail. (RSM)