2005 ICAC Caribbean Conference of Accountants - Belize
"2005 - We Harmonize"
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Belize (ICAB) hosted the 23rd Annual Caribbean Conference of Accountants over the period June 23 – 25, 2005 under the theme, "2005-We Harmonize".
The President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean, Mr. Elson Jordan , and the Conference Chairman, Mr. Mark Hulse, conveyed the welcoming remarks at the official start of the conference.
The conference venue was the Princess Hotel & Casino. The President's Gala and Cultural Fest was held at the Belize Biltmore Plaza . The entertainment package included a cabaret performance highlighting the history of the Maya Indians, the arrival of the Africans, the German & Dutch Mennonites, Chinese and Arabs; thus depicting the country as a melting pot of many races.
The first session of the conference was a presentation on the "Regulation of the Profession" which was made by Mr. Lyle Handfield of CGA Canada. This was followed by presentations on:
* "The Future of CPD, IFAC's Requirements and How the Profession is Responding", by Mr. Allen Blewitt the ACCA CEO.
* "Business Continuity Planning: How Prepared must a CFO be for Potential Interruption to the Business", by Mr. Bruce Scott, partner in charge of the business continuity planning practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Jamaica.
* "Financing the Cricket Infrastructure 2007", by Mr. John Lee, partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers Jamaica with responsibility for the Management and Financial Advisory Services Department in Jamaica.
Other presentations included:
* " The Accounting Profession Post Sarbanes Oxley (for practicing accountants)" , by Mr. Laurence Longe, National Managing Partner of Baker Tilly International.
* "The Changing role of the CFO in a Post Sarbanes Oxley World (for the non-practicing accountants", by Mr. John Howard of ICAEW.
* " Practical Issues of Fair Value Accounting in Developing Markets", by Mr. Kyle Rudden of KR Consulting, Trinidad & Tobago.
* " Harmonization of Accounting Standards within the Caribbean and the Implications for the CSME", by Mr. David Raggay of IFRS Consultants, Trinidad & Tobago .
* "CSME/FTAA UPDATE since its Inception" , by Mr. Jose Alpuche of the General Directorate of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize.
The President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados, Mr. Brian Robinson , and ICAC Alternate Director, Mrs. Betty Brathwaite, delivered an interesting presentation on Conference 2006 scheduled to be held in Barbados over the period June 8 - 10 2006.
Immediately following the closing session of the conference, participants were taken to the Balam Ha Resort for a Jungle tour, dancing & tubing. The 2005 Conference was a resounding success based on the relevant and interesting topics presented as well as the social package provided.