Public accountants and auditors have been urged to embrace professionalism and transparency to accelerate national development.

The call was made by the Auditor General, Obadiah Biraro, during the annual accountants seminar held in Rubavu District, Western Province last week.

Organised by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) under the theme "Accountants in Economic growth” the seminar brought together more than 100 professionals from across the region.

Biraro noted that there is need to build capacities and promote professional ethics to streamline accounting business in the country as this will promote good governance and help fast track the country’s economic development.

The participants discussed mechanisms of improving public accountancy in the country through increased training programmes which according to Biraro, is a step forward toward boosting accountancy.

 Bosco Mukombozi, the ICPAR president, retaliated the need to regulate the sector to enhance efficiency and professionalism.

"We are currently working with government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure all accountants have the required qualifications before they are registered. And given the ever changing modern business environment, there is need to bring together accountants and auditors to be able to respond to the trends,” Mukombozi said.

The accounting body is training more than 1060 professional accountants and expects the number to increase to about 2000 in the next three years.

The professional body also offers tailor-made training courses in tax administration, auditing, public accounting and financial management, among others, to be able to serve   the current market demand.

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