Why accountants should be certified
By Vision Reporter
It is not enough to be an accountant, you need to be certified in order to be recognised as one. This is also important for the growth of your career since you will be recognised internationally.
Lucille Isingoma, country manager, ACCA Uganda, defines an accountant as one who carries out accounting tasks for an individual or organisation.
“The nature of these tasks depends on the specialties of the individual and the size of the organisation,” she attests.
This includes conducting audits, inspecting financial records and issuing financial and tax reports. However, the role of an accountant is evolving more and more into giving business advice.
In order to become a professional accountant, one needs certification through a professional accountancy body. Every professional qualification will involve exams, Isingoma reveals.
At ACCA, accountants can get the certification, which is provided through the professional scheme. Here the accountant has to pass all the professional exams with ACCA in order be certified and recognised. This covers the different accounting specialities such as taxation, audit and financial reporting. In addition, he or she has to meet 13 performance objectives, show a three-year effective professional experience and complete the ACCA professional ethics module.
Accountants play a role in both private and public businesses. This is emphasised in their theme for 2009/2010 “Accountants for Business.”
The theme accentuates the roles of accountants in building businesses. This involves advocating for sound business practices, promotion of sustainable business development and identifying of value drivers, which lead to high-performing organisations.
ACCA Uganda has an obligation to offer qualifications to people who want a rewarding career in finance, accounting and management. It also supports members and students throughout their accounting careers by providing services such as training seminars, technical advice and support, and networking opportunities.
“Our key focus will always be to find new and innovative ways to support our membership. However, in the last few years we have placed a greater emphasis on supporting the employers of ACCA members and trainees who spend so much time and effort investing in their development and in the public interest arena,” Isingoma explains.
ACCA’s focus now is looking out for opportunities to use expertise and experience to work with government, regulators, multinational and small entities to help develop the accountancy profession and advance the public interest in Uganda.
