ISIA focuses on learning development and capacity building
The Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants’ (ISIA) key strategic areas of focus for the next two years are education and learning development, and capacity building of the Institute’s Secretariat to ensure operational sustainability for ISIA in the future.
New President of ISIA’s Council of members, Mr Johnson Lobo made these remarks during the Institute’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday 4th April at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara on behalf of outgoing President, Mr Peter Lokay.
Mr Lobo said the primary focus will be on making available in-country relevant high quality education programs and events aimed at enhancing accounting skills, competencies, and capabilities and also to raise the profile of the accounting profession locally.
“The overall intention is to build a pool of highly competent accounting professionals trained with internationally accredited education programs to deliver high quality financial and accounting services in both the private sector and public sector over the next five years.
“We believe that this approach should effectively contribute towards addressing the current gaps identified in the accounting skills shortages, particularly in the local industries,” he said.
Mr Lobo highlighted that continuous development of relevant high-quality accounting education programs at both the academic and professional levels will have a direct impact on raising the standards of technical and leadership skills and competencies of ISIA members.
“This, in turn, will directly impact on the quality of accounting and financial services our members can deliver to their employers and clients in the respective sectors they serve,” the ISIA President highlighted.
Mr Lobo added that the development and stabilization of the Secretariat’s capacity and capabilities is key to improving the quality of the services that ISIA can deliver to our members and stakeholders.
“Successful execution of implementing programs should effectively place ISIA in an ideal position to effectively deliver on its mandated roles and responsibilities as required under the Accountants Act 2010,” he said.
He said other areas that ISIA will be focusing on in the most immediate future include programs that aim to demonstrate the Institute’s commitment to promote inclusivity – by providing access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized such as women and those with physical or intellectual disabilities or belonging to other minority groups.
Meanwhile, the ISIA President call on members and stakeholders in both the private and public sectors to support the work that ISIA is currently doing in the country.
“The accounting profession has a significant role to play in nation-building in Solomon Islands. A strong accounting profession has many benefits that will lead to increased economic growth, and we need the support of all our stakeholders to continue to develop ISIA to be a fully functional professional accounting organization (PAO),” he said.
ENDS//
-ISIA Media