Become The Ian Fleming Of The Accountancy Profession…

The Accountancy profession has been challenged to increase the public profile of its members and to project Chartered Accountants in a manner that would ensure that the "man in the street" understands the importance and value of Chartered Accountants.

In his keynote address at the ICAJ's Annual Awards Dinner, Russell Merifield, Senior Trade Commissioner at the Canadian High Commission, noted that Chartered Accountants were known for their integrity, objectivity and commitment to the public interest and that they were responsible for maintaining public confidence in the business world. He noted, however, that a big challenge for Chartered Accountants was that of getting public recognition similar to that of other professionals.

"I think that Accountants need something like a literary or TV figure or a prime character in literature to be like other professions. Can a panel of Accountants debate on Lou Dobbs or on Fox News? Your partner organisation, The Certified General Accountants Association in Canada have gone so far as to place ads at Hockey Games," stated Mr. Merifield, who was delivering the keynote address on behalf of His Excellency, Denis Kingsley, High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, who was unavoidably absent.

He challenged members to turn their minds to being the Ian Fleming of the Accountancy profession in order to make the profession attractive to members of the public and to make them understand the important role of Chartered Accountants.

He noted that Jamaica, like the rest of the world, needed the Accountancy profession to prevent abuse of the international financial system and to protect the public's interest.

"In your traditional role as protectors of investors through audits, and in your corollary role of offering consulting services to business, work with your clients to help control organized crime. Let's have the man in the street know that an Accountant is often the hero in stopping this burden on our society," he stated.

The Annual Awards Dinner attracted an estimated 300 persons comprising, ICAJ members, their families, clients and other special guests.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the 2006 ICAJ Distinguished Member Award, which was awarded to ICAJ Past President, Jasper Burnett, CD. Presentations were also made to ICAJ members who were transferred to the category of Member in Retirement between July 2002 and December 2006.

ICAJ President, Leighton McKnight also presented a plaque to Past President, Derek Sale, who was a special guest at the dinner. Mr. Sale, who was among the list of ICAJ Past Presidents honoured at the 40th Anniversary Awards Banquet held on December 9, 2005, was unable to attend the event last year.

Masters of Ceremonies, Rodney Davies and Donna Deidrick did a commendable job in guiding the evening's proceedings. Jon Williams and Friends along with cabaret performer, Judi Emanuel, provided the right blend of musical entertainment during the event.



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