To be an accountant one must be a professional
Jun 16, 2011
EDITOR: On Wednesday, New Vision published a story entitled "Mbarara accountant held over fraud". The word accountant has often been used recklessly and has caused irreparable damage to the profession of accountancy and the integrity of accountants.
EDITOR: On Wednesday, New Vision published a story entitled "Mbarara accountant held over fraud". The word accountant has often been used recklessly and has caused irreparable damage to the profession of accountancy and the integrity of accountants.
The laws of Uganda define an accountant as a Certified Public Accountant or Associate Accountant registered under the Accountants Act, Cap 266.
The registration referred to is for one to be a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU). ICPAU is a member of the International Federation of Accountants, an international umbrella body for professional accountants.
The problem of the media seems to be distinguishing between an accounting officer and an accountant. Any person can be an accounting officer, but to be an accountant one must be a professional. Similarly, not every person who studies law is a lawyer.
Professional accountants have an obligation to the public, their profession, the organization they serve, and to themselves, to maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct. A distinguishing mark of the accountancy profession is its acceptance of the responsibility to act in the public interest.
I have checked our register and confirmed that Zabron Buntu, the Mbarara 'accountant' referred to in the story is not a member of our Institute and thus your title is incorrect and misleading.
Derick Nkajja
Secretary /Chief Executive Officer
Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda
The laws of Uganda define an accountant as a Certified Public Accountant or Associate Accountant registered under the Accountants Act, Cap 266.
The registration referred to is for one to be a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU). ICPAU is a member of the International Federation of Accountants, an international umbrella body for professional accountants.
The problem of the media seems to be distinguishing between an accounting officer and an accountant. Any person can be an accounting officer, but to be an accountant one must be a professional. Similarly, not every person who studies law is a lawyer.
Professional accountants have an obligation to the public, their profession, the organization they serve, and to themselves, to maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct. A distinguishing mark of the accountancy profession is its acceptance of the responsibility to act in the public interest.
I have checked our register and confirmed that Zabron Buntu, the Mbarara 'accountant' referred to in the story is not a member of our Institute and thus your title is incorrect and misleading.
Derick Nkajja
Secretary /Chief Executive Officer
Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda