The Country Managing Director for Deloitte, Daniel Kwadwo Owusu, has advised chartered accountants to increase their knowledge in the use of modern technology.
According to him, embracing professional development while pursuing advanced technology to become abreast with current trends in the profession should be part of every chartered accountants’ plan going forward.
“We need to increase our knowledge and the use of technology. Undoubtedly, the accountant of the future will need to be technologically competent to evolve with the changing industry. As graduates and members, we should wholeheartedly accept these technological changes and use them as a competitive advantage,” he said.
He said this during the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana’s (ICAG) 41st graduation and admission ceremony in Accra.
Mr. Owusu added that it is also important that they equip themselves with data analytical skills, stating that the use of data in business decision-making is on the rise – hence the need for modern accountants to familiarise themselves with data-mining and other data science techniques.
The Country Manager emphasised the need for accountants to promote financial practices which prioritise long-term viability and social impacts. He said as the world is confronted with environmental challenges, there is an increasing need for accountants to navigate the intricacies of sustainability reporting and carbon accounting.
The president of ICAG, Sena Dake, noted that chartered accountants must be given opportunities to play professional roles which can significantly transform the public sector and make the economy more resilient.
She advised the graduates to continue arming themselves with information that will enable them to become better accountants. “You must think outside the box and recognise that competition has assumed international dimensions. Build up your knowledge base and capacity, while recognising that there is a world beyond Ghana. Read widely, bearing in mind that the day opportunity comes knocking you must be good and ready to grab it.
“The Institute needs some support to continue the second phase of its infrastructure project. We need government’s support to have an enabling environment to contribute in national and global development of accountancy,” she added.
Graduation and matriculation ceremony
In all, 721 students who successfully completed the chartered accountant professional programme for both December 2022 and March 2023 – 169 and 552 members respectively – passed out.
Similarly, members and other professionals who participated in the post-chartered diploma programmes graduated. These programmes allow professionals to specialise in certain areas of interest. 22 pursued Public Financial Management (PFM), six pursued Capital Markets and Treasury Management (CMTM) and 16 did Forensic Audit.
Meanwhile, 620 qualified applicants were admitted into full membership of ICAG, which is made up of 592 chartered accountants and 28 from other Professional Accountancy Organisations (PAOs). Also, 202 associate members who are yet to meet the pre-qualification requirement for full membership were also recognised.
