Members of parliament recently ratified a bill that would see the establishment of certified accountants in a bid to strengthen accountability in the country. The bill shall also help in the fight against corruption and promote transparency in the country by ensuring government bodies and firms run more efficiently.It is also aimed at ensuring that public books of accounts are kept accurately, and government taxes paid properly and on time. The bill would establish a body of professional accountants; determine its powers, structure and organization and regulate the accountancy profession in Rwanda in general. MP Constance Mukayuhi who heads the parliamentary standing committee on budgetary Affairs said that there would be no government intervention in public accountants’ duties thus promoting transparency. “The independent accountants would help in building institutional transparency and thus reduce on the chances of corruption,” she said. According to the draft law, public practice of accountancy shall mean performing or offering to perform or holding out to be qualified to render any person any professional services requiring skills in accountancy. It also adds that a person serving a contract of employment does not engage in public practice of accountancy by virtual of only performing her obligation under that contract. Ends
