The Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants (ISIA) launched its inaugural seminar on technical accounting methods and standards for its members on Thursday.
This was the first seminar in a planned series aimed at developing the professionalism of the Institute.
The President of the Institute, Smiley Giobauta, told his members that the Institute was putting in place the series aimed at supporting the general membership, in addition to a coaching series aimed specifically at CPA candidates studying through CPA Australia.
“After years of planning and negotiation, I am pleased to see our professional development activities start to extend beyond the public Information Nights that we put in place in 2012.” Mr Giobauta said.
Vice President Mr Roger Townsend said that the Institute was able to commence the series due to the very generous support provided by volunteer Adrian Koochew CA who is accompanying his diplomat wife in Honiara over the next three years.
Mr Koochew has worked as a professional accountant since 2007 in Australia and New Zealand. He has worked with a number of Big 4 accounting firms specialising in financial modelling, due diligence and restructuring advice to some of Australia’s largest companies, financial institutions and government agencies. For the last two years, Adrian has managed his own company based in Melbourne, Australia.
Mr Koochew’s seminar topic was “Core Accounting Concepts” which provided an essential background for CPA studies as well as bring members up to date on current reporting standards. Some 50 members attended the function at the Monarch Restaurant.
Mr Giobauta said that negotiations with CPA Australia to access its CPA modules at a greatly reduced cost for the Institute’s members was progressing well, and he expected that the Institute would be able to provide affordable CPA course materials and local examination centres commencing at least in Semester 1 2015 if not this year.
“This is an exciting new phase in the development of ISIA as the professional developer of the accounting fraternity in the Solomon Islands.” Mr Giobauta said.
Mr Giobauta said that the Institute is responsible for the professional development of members, setting of accounting and auditing standards for the Solomon Islands, and disciplining its members to ensure that they provide quality accounting and auditing services to the business houses and people of Solomon Islands.
