PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a global services advisory firm, has opened a tax institute that is hoped to provide an avenue for continuous learning and exchange of ideas to increase knowledge about tax issues and laws. Bernice Kimacia, the firm’s country senior partner, said the PwC Tax Academy will  carry out monthly training programmes to help narrow the knowledge and skills gap, especially on tax matters. Kimacia added that the training will enable businesses understand how tax affects their day-to-day operations and boost their ability to manage tax risks."We started the academy to help improve the quality of decision-making among financial officers and business owners after realising that Rwanda lacks enough qualified accountants. We hope this will also encourage tax compliance and financial reporting as business leaders will now understand the benefits of taxation,” she said.She noted that by interacting with peers, who are grappling with similar issues, business leaders will understand better how to handle risks faced by their enterprises and organisations.There are about 200 qualified accountants in Rwanda of the over 1,000 required.The training targets financial, procurement and human resources managers, executive officers as well as accountants, according to Paul Frobisher Mugambwa, a senior tax manager at PwC, who is in charge of the academy.He said participants will be able to discuss practical issues at work regarding application of tax laws on various subjects, ensure effective compliance and identify tax planning opportunities. "They will also be exposed to contemporary tax issues, new tax laws, policies tax reforms and administrative changes, locally and in the global business arena,” he said.