Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants and Association of Accounting Technicians hold joint Achievement Awards

The Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) held a joint awards ceremony with the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) to celebrate the achievements of members who had reached special landmarks in their AAT career in the past year.

Among those recognized were those who had completed the AAT Accounting Qualification as well as those who gained election to full AAT membership.

Giving an opening address at the occasion held at GICC on November 4, BICA Vice President, Vijay Kalyanaraman said the occasion came at a time when the accountancy profession is undergoing significant changes.

He further said among landmarks, is the Accountants Act and the Financial Reporting Act, which were passed in Parliament in August this year.

“The Accountants Act will strengthen the obligations of the BICA for oversight and compliance. It will require all accountants and auditors in Botswana to be registered with the BICA,” he said.
Kalyanaraman further added that the Financial Reporting Act will establish the Botswana Accounting Oversight Board (BAOB) and strengthen the BICA, requiring it to regulate professional accountants and certified auditors involved in the auditing of public interest entities.

For his keynote address, AAT President Neil Price, MAAT, who flew in from the UK, said the Botswana Achievement Awards is the biggest of several events held around the world to ‘fly the flag’ on behalf of AAT members.

He stated that the AAT adds immense value to an individual and to business generally.
“I believe it elevates all it touches to greater levels of professionalism and credibility,” he said. He further added that after obtaining the AAT qualification, the next logical step for graduates is to take up AAT full membership. “The letters MAAT after your name not only spell out the high quality of your learning, but they signal the fact that you have gained personal and professional skills and knowledge that are prized throughout the world’, he emphasized.

Giving a vote of thanks, the BICA CEO Duncan Majinda, MAAT, encouraged graduates to eschew corruption, eschew unethical behavior, embrace accountability and transparency as these are the virtues Botswana leaders have set. “You have passed your examinations and this is just the end of the beginning, for an AAT life starts now. All we can do is to guide, counsel and inspire you, so spread your wings and fly into the world and make your mark”, he concluded.

A total number of 359 newly qualified Accounting technicians graduated, while those who had completed the qualification and elected to full membership were four (4). Those who had been elected to full membership were 18.

The BICA/AAT awards are held annually to celebrate achievements of members who have reached special landmarks in their AAT career including those who have completed the AAT Accounting Qualification and gained election to full membership. The UK based AAT President was accompanied by the AAT Director of Professional Development and AAT Membership Services Manager Adam Harper and Paul Fulton respectively.