Over 130 sit for professional accountancy exams

More than 130 accountants yesterday started examinations for the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and Certified Accounting Technicians (CAT).They include 90 accountants sitting CPA and 41 sitting for CAT exams. The week long examinations are being conducted by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR). Upon successful passing of the examinations one becomes an internationally recognised professional accountant. Accountants sit for these examinations twice a year as ICPAR`s initiative to build professionalism in the accounting profession. ICPAR offers professional courses that are tailored to equip students to become proficient accountants.John Munga, the Chief Executive Officer of ICPAR said that sitting of professional examinations by accountants will effectively contribute toward improving service delivery in the profession.“The professionalism we are talking about does away with incompetence in service delivery and we are really sure that with the steps being taken, we expect the accounting profession to be competent than ever before,” said Munga. Theogene Ntirenganya who is among those sitting for the examinations and an accountant at Kiziguro Hospital in Eastern Province said, “Based on the development and changes that come with technological advancement, I believe that going for further studies especially in our profession is very important in building our capacity to effectively carry out our obligations.” The Auditor General, Obadiah Biraro, said the initiative is expected the address the urgent need to have competent human resource in the accounting profession. He observed that what most of accountants have is academic certificates but still need more skills to strengthen their capacity to meet international standards. The Auditor General advised all accountants in Rwanda to take the CPA and CAT professional courses .