As the world celebrated the 2023 International Accountancy Day, the 59th president of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) Innocent Okwuosa has called on the over 60,000 members of the institute to reaffirm their pledges to uphold the highest standards of the noble profession.
Okwuosa while addressing a press conference on Friday said,”We acknowledge the transformative impact our profession has on economies, businesses, and individuals alike. International Accountancy Day thus becomes a focal point for us to advocate for the profession’s advancement, to highlight the integral role of accountants in driving ethical financial practices, and to renew our commitment to the highest standards of our noble craft. In commemorating this day, we also recognize the synergy of tradition and innovation within our field, honoring age-old principles while adapting to an ever-changing business landscape. It is a day to underscore our role not just as accountants, but as custodians of economic truth and as architects of financial stability and growth.”
The president further urged that the members should be committed to continuous learning, to adapting to the digital age, and to leading businesses and economies with integrity, transparency, and foresight. Adding that as a body they will continue to chart the course of prosperity for Nigeria as a country and contribute to the global economy with unwavering dedication.
“Today, we join the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), the Association of Accountancy Bodies in West Africa (ABWA), and other Professional Accountancy Organizations (PAOs) globally to commemorate this auspicious occasion. This shows the global nature of today’s event and the premium placed on our noble profession. As we celebrate this momentous occasion, we recognize that economies across the world are facing some of the most trying times in history. The past couple of years have been challenging for businesses, governments, and individuals worldwide due to certain factors including geopolitical tensions, the economic slowdown, increasing debt burden, rising unemployment and high inflation among others. In the face of these uncertainties, chartered accountants have emerged as beacons of stability, guiding their organizations through difficult times and providing sound financial advice and expertise. Our resilience, commitment, and adaptability have been crucial in navigating the changing business landscape,” he said.
“Our ICAN Accountability Index (ICAN AI) is a groundbreaking tool designed to assess and monitor the accountability and transparency of public finance management in Nigeria. The Index ranks the three tiers of government on pillars, indicators, and dimensions. The Index has been endorsed by respectable institutions such as the World Bank, and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). We have, by assessing and highlighting areas of success and concern, brought about positive change, improved accountability, and established more robust groundwork for our country’s well-being,”he added
