2014 ICAC Caribbean Conference Of Accountants In Suriname

Some 400 accountants, finance professionals and business leaders from the Caribbean, Canada and the United Kingdom gathered in Paramaribo, Suriname over the period June 5-7, 2014 for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean’s (ICAC’s) 32nd Caribbean Conference of Accountants. The 2014 conference, which was hosted by the Suriname Institute of Chartered Accountants (SUVA), was held at the Torarica Hotel. The conference theme, “Back to Basics – Sharing our values”, examined current developments in key areas such as financial reporting, corporate governance, and strategic leadership.

The conference also examined how accounting professionals can utilize the natural resources of the region to drive economic growth and sustainability; and provided a forum for discussion on the revision of IFRS and IFRS for SMEs.

The formal opening session of the conference on Friday, June 6, 2014 was addressed by Vice President of Suriname, Robert Ameerali who spoke on the topic Integration of Suriname into CARICOM & Future outlook of Suriname; as well as, Rudie Tjong A. Hung, President of SUVA and Frank Myers, ICAC President.

Other presentations on day one of the conference were:

• Corporate Governance by Hon. Gillman Hoefdraad, Governor, Central Bank of Suriname.
• Accounting profession - adapting to the new environment Anthony Harbinson - Deputy   President, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
• Professional behaviour - a cornerstone for the audit profession by Professor Dr. Peter Diekman - Professor, Erasmus University of Rotterdam (The Netherlands).
• Opportunities and Imperatives for Caribbean Economic Growth by Carl Howell - Senior  Economist, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)
• Strengthening financial management Systems and External Audit in the Caribbean Region by Deborah Sprietzer - Fiduciary Financial Management Lead Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

After a full day of presentations and discussions, delegates and spouses grooved and socialized at the President’s Dinner held in the garden of the Suriname Rum House; and were treated to a taste of Suriname’s diverse culture by the dance company Codanco and Haika, followed by an item from the jazz band Surinamese Conservatory. The evening ended with entertainment from one of Suriname’s most famous disc jockeys- DJ Cat.

The technical session held on Saturday, June 7th included the following presentations:

• Improving financial management in the Caribbean public sector by Celeste Kubasta - Public Financial Management (PFM) Adviser, CARTAC • Financial Reporting, Audit and Oversight in the Caribbean by Joseph Kizito - Lead Financial Management Specialist, The World Bank
• Strategic Leadership: Developing Emerging Leaders for the Future by Drs. Peter H.J. Bongers - Chairman, Dutch Caribbean Accountants Association.

 In his closing address, ICAC President, Frank Myers, thanked the delegates for their support in making the 32nd Caribbean Conference a success and urged delegates to complete the conference’s electronic survey. He also commended the 2014 conference host, Suriname Institute of Chartered Accountants (SUVA), for planning and executing an excellent conference.

A promotional launch of the 33rd ICAC Caribbean Conference of Accountants to be held in Trinidad and Tobago over the period June 25-27, 2015 was delivered by ICATT’s immediate Past President Derek Mohammed. The conference closed with a farewell party held at T’vat, which overlooks the city of Paramaribo; this was a superb ending to an unforgettable experience.

Following the event, commendations were received from Head of ACCA Caribbean, Brenda Lee Tang who praised, “The standard of presentations and presenters” and “the varied and hugely entertaining cultural programme” which have “ensured this year’s conference in Suriname a place among the very best.” These sentiments were echoed by Mario Abela, Senior Policy Advisor, Public Policy & Regulation, International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) as well as presenter Monica Davis, Lecturer, University of the West Indies, who were both speakers at the conference.

They both extended special thanks and commendations to the ICAC President, Frank Myers; ICAC CEO, Misha Lobban Clarke; President of SUVA, Rudie Tjong A. Hung, and the 2014 conference organizers, who all worked together to make the conference experience memorable and enjoyable.