Accounting professionals graduate in style
"The recent takeover of one of Barbados largest conglomerates has brought home the message of an internal review of the directorate structure. It is indeed essential that prospective non-executive directors be subject to due diligence before accepting the roles. They should satisfy themselves that they have the knowledge, skills, experience and time to make a positive contribution to the company board." Hilford A. Murrell made this point in a wide ranging address to graduands of the ACCA Professional Scheme and Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) programmes. The ceremony, hosted by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) was held at the Sandy Lane Hotel in St. James on June 23, 2007.
"Today marks the beginning of a journey and only you will determine where it ends. There will be obstacles along the way, but turn those obstacles into stepping stones." Mr. Murrell, a career banker who has worked throughout the Caribbean and is a recent graduate of the Hugh Wooding Law School regaled the graduates with a series of thought-provoking anecdotes, while challenging them to be committed to the profession and focussed in the pursuit of their dreams and goals.
121 students were officially recognised for having successfully completed ACCA and CAT examinations over a 3-year period. Top awardees were Sheik Ahmad, first in the ACCA Part III examination and in Papers 3.5 and 3.7 of the December 2003 session and Mechelle Pierre who was awarded the Top Overall prize for the June 2004 CAT examinations.
Also among the speakers were Joy Gittens - Senior Education Officer of the Ministry of Education which administers ACCA examinations in Barbados; Patrick Toppin - International Assembly Representative of the ACCA; Esther Le Gendre - Head, ACCA Caribbean and Patrick Hinkson - President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados (ICAB) which is a joint scheme partner of ACCA's CAT programme.
The graduation event was sponsored by Ernst & Young - Platinum Sponsor, KPMG - Gold Sponsor and ACCA tuition provider Prestige Accounting Bookshop and Accountancy College - Silver sponsor. Additional sponsors were Ansa McAl and Barbados National Bank.
Among other guests were: Rev. Dr. Noel Titus - Accreditation Council; Mr. & Mrs. Rendra Gopee - KPMG; Betty Brathwaite - DeLoitte & Touche; Mr. & Mrs. Brian Robinson - PricewaterhouseCoopers.
For further information please contact:
Maria C Batson, Marketing & Communications Officer, ACCA Caribbean, Tel: (868) 622-3434 Fax: (868) 622-1358