Local chartered accountants to host business conference

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ) will be hosting a business conference on October 30 and 31 at The Jamaica Pegasus.

The conference is a landmark one, taking place during the 50th anniversary year of the organisation. The theme is 'Anticipating Change ... Adding Value'.

"The conference will address issues of significant interest to the local, regional and global business and accountancy environment," said ICAJ President Bruce Scott. "The event is intended to bring together experts in the areas of business strategy, finance, accounting, economics and technology."

The four main speakers are Professor Michael Fairbanks, founder and chairman of the OTF Group; Dr Warren Smith, president of the Caribbean Development Bank; Olivia Kirtley, president of the International Federation of Accountants; and Shanker Singham, managing director, enterprise development, at Babson Global.

Other participants include Jasmine Davis, president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean; Pamela Monroe Ellis, Jamaica's auditor general; and Vikas Agarwal, managing director, advanced risk and compliance analytics, PwC New York.

"The conference will provide an opportunity for networking with business executives, finance professionals and entrepreneurs," said Scott, noting there would be some fun, as well. "Conference activities will culminate in a spectacular Jamaica Night Party that is expected to be fun-filled, with great food, music and camaraderie!"

Scott said the ICAJ's 50th anniversary provides the perfect backdrop for it to host a conference, which will be knowledge-enhancing and provide fresh insights to the advancement of local, regional and international business.

"The conference provides the platform to demonstrate the changing role that the accountancy profession must play in sensitising businesses abouta topical issues and assisting them to navigate successfully," he said.

WEBCAST

For those individuals not able to physically attend, the ICAJ will be utilising modern technology, so persons can participate in the conference via webcast.

The conference is the latest part of the ICAJ anniversary celebrations. Other activities earlier in the year included services of thanksgiving in January in Kingston, Montego Bay and Mandeville; visits to alma maters during September to promote accountancy as a profession and career option, as well as the benefits of becoming a chartered accountant; and the signing of a cooperation agreement in May between ICAJ and the Mona School of Business and Management at the University of the West Indies for an anniversary scholarship to be awarded to a student pursuing the Master of Science degree programme in accounting.

Chartered Accountants Week was also celebrated from July 5-11 with a number of activities, including a reception in honour of founding members, past presidents and staff at the ICAJ Secretariat, and a presentation of chairs to Elsie Bemand Girls' Home.

"To end the yearlong celebrations, ICAJ will host its Golden Gala Awards Banquet on December 3 at The Jamaica Pegasus, under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, governor general," said Scott.