REPOSITIONING THE ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN IN AFRICA 2 nd Africa Congress of Accountants 14 th to 16 th May 2013 Accra, Ghana Presented By: Caroline J. Kigen

REPOSITIONING THE ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN IN AFRICA

2nd Africa Congress of Accountants14th to 16th May 2013

Accra, Ghana

Presented By: Caroline J. Kigen

Chief Executive, ICPAK

April 18, 2023 22nd Africa Congress of Accountants

1. Setting the Stage2. The Accounting technician: Who is and What

do they do: How are they perceived3. Repositioning the Accounting Technician


•Africa’s growth pace is like that of Asia; •Africa is fast making good progress economically and is on its way to achieving economic growth and improving the quality of life of Africans.•We are witnessing Africa’s epic comeback.•Africa finally rising.•Glorious Africa.


•Reality for many includes Poverty: Unemployment: Weak Infrastructure; Rising crime; Political Instability.

•GDP growth rates of 6% - Many still support the growing number of relatives.


•Economy brewed in an African Pot: • A mixture of development and poverty all in

one; • Agricultural; Industrializing; Information Age

•To understand where we are going we must understand where we came from: • Recent independence in the 50s and 60s. • Legacy of colonization- An education system

for an industrialized/information age economy.


The role of accounting technicians tends to be operational in nature but may be middle mgt;•recording of financial transactions and general accounting work •cash management and transactions •tax compliance work, •preparation of financial records and reports,•stock control, accounts payable or receivable work, payroll, •budgeting and costing.


•Accounting Technicians have been viewed as second tier professionals•The realities of the African economies-Large enterprises, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, A growing public Sector, Policies that encourage youth and women enterprises-Youth Fund; Women Fund, Technology creating new and better ways of doing business; overcoming traditional barriers to doing business


•There must be an acceptance and understanding of the important role played by the Accounting Technician particularly in Africa; •Development of an Accounting Technician Qualification must become a priority for Africa•When developing the program take into account the following;•Entry requirements; Content of the Syllabus; Should incorporate practical experience•Role for PAFA


•Change the mind set: The Accounting Technician qualification can confer a fulfilling lifelong career for the youth. •Professional Accountancy Organizations must support the development of Accounting Technicians; •Be innovative and ensure the qualification and work appeals to the current generation.


Chairman of the National Media Commission of Ghana

“We all encounter accountants along the journey of life. Call them bursars, account clerks, half baked accountants or full CPA/CAs. Whatever name you give these men and women who deal with figures and numbers, you must grant this class of professionals a special place in our development or suffer decline as a nation.”


“Take note that when Jesus chose his first 12 disciples, although the Lord was not the kind of person bothered about earthly and pecuniary matters, he made sure he included at least one accountant-Mathew as against four fishermen-Simon Peter, James, John and Andrew and 7 others whose professions are not fully disclosed.”

THANK YOU

Documents

REPOSITIONING THE ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN IN AFRICA 2 nd Africa Congress of Accountants 14 th to 16 th May 2013 Accra, Ghana Presented By: Caroline J. Kigen