Embrace ICT, Mpinganjira tells accountants
FDH Financial Holdings Limited chief executive officer (CEO) Thom Mpinganjira has advised accountants to embrace information and communication technology (ICT) and aim for managerial positions because the era of just crunching numbers is over.
Speaking at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (Acca) 2017 Members Conference at Game Haven Lodge in Bvumbwe, Thyolo, he said technology is here to stay and accountants should embrace it and be innovative or risk being on the sidelines.
“There is more to being an accountant than just crunching numbers. An accountant is a pacesetter and should aim to be in the inner circle of management in their institutions,” said Mpinganjira, who was the guest of honour.
In an interview at the conference, Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) CEO Jimmy Lipunga, who was one of the presenters, said accountants are trained as analysts and should not restrict themselves to the traditional role of crunching numbers.
“In a country where we need growth in gross domestic product [GDP] which can only happen if we develop capacity for manufacturing, growth of business and entrepreneurial culture, accountants should take a big role as they have what it takes to develop a business,” he said.
On his part, Malawi Accountants Board (MAB) CEO Dumbo Muwalo said the regulatory body is ensuring that the element of digitisation is incorporated in the syllabus so that accountants do not lag behind.
Other presenters at the conference were Nancy Chitera, vice-principal of the Polytechnic, a constituent college of the University of Malawi, Julius Mpesi Gondwe, audit manager at Graham Carr and Kamudoni Nyasulu, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) legal consultant.
The conference was held under the theme Professional Accountants for Strategic Business Leadership in Digital Age.
