BICA produces first chartered accountant
Pauline Dikuelo | Wednesday December 16, 2015 15:35
The BICA qualification was introduced following the passing of the Accountants Act 2010, with the funding of the World Bank and through a twinning arrangement with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
Kalaote was part of the 60 students enrolled in the programme in 2011, but progressed through the curriculum faster than others to emerge as BICA’s first ever graduate. As part of her studies, she passed 15 modules, 450 working days training in ethics, which she did at PriceWaterHouse Coopers while being monitored by BICA administration.
Currently, the BICA qualification has about 600 students enrolled with 443 actively involved in examinations.
Speaking during the celebrations, BICA President Frederik Els said they are determined to deliver the highest professional, technical and ethical standards to ensure that Botswana’s accountancy profession plays a role.
“It is truly inspiring to see our first ever graduate qualify, it will be refreshing to see how our work will contribute to further capacity building and professional development in the region,” Els added.
BICA chief executive officer, Verily Molatedi urged business leaders and the accountancy profession to innovate and adapt to a new economic reality by implementing enhanced governance and regulatory procedures for the benefit of the private sector and the society.
“It has been quite a long journey which needed a bit of determination. I had to work during the day and study mostly at night, but at the end of the day it was worth it,” said Kalaote.
BICA is a professional body of accountants domiciled in Botswana aimed at representing its members’ interests, developing the profession and ensuring observance of highest professional and ethical standards by its members.
Recently they signed a Reciprocal Membership Agreement (RAM) with the Institute of ICAEW in an endeavour to enable members of both bodies to apply for membership of the other, giving them access to a greater support as well as boosting their international presence and expertise.
BICA is also a member of the Pan African Federation, and the International Federation of Accountants.