President for ensuring transparency, accountability in financial sector

President Md. Abdul Hamid said Sunday that the chartered accountants (CAs) should play their roles with due integrity to prevent wastage of money and ensure transparency, accountability and discipline in the country's financial sector.

"There have to have strict control so that the people's hard-earned money is not wasted. To this effect, I expect the CAs, along with the public accounts audit, will play their roles with integrity…," said the President.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the 20th Convocation-2015 of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) at a city hotel.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was the special guest while Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, eminent economist and chairman of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), was the convocation speaker at the function.

ICAB president Masih Malik Chowdhury FCA gave welcome address and its vice president (E&T) AF Nesaruddin FCA gave vote of thanks.

Around 360 newly qualified CAs received their certificates at the convocation, officials said.

Mr Abdul Hamid said, "Key asset of the chartered accountancy profession is honesty and people's trust and confidence on you (CAs)."

He expected that the CAs will duly follow their "code of ethics" and thus keep uphold their own integrity and people's trust and confidence on them.

At the same time, the President hoped that the CAs will always give priority to the national interest in discharging their responsibilities.

Citing the certification of financial statements 'very important' as it unveils actual scenario of a company and facilitates to chalk out future plan, the President said the role of the CAs is accordingly vital in disclosing true information of financial situation.

There is huge demand for chartered accountancy professionals both home and abroad, he said, and called upon the concerned institutions including the commerce ministry to take steps to increase the number of CAs with quality and standard.

Welcoming the new CAs, Mr Abdul Hamid also hoped that they will protect dignity of the certificates awarded to them.

Mr Tofail Ahmed said that country's people expect professional efficiency, transparency and accountability from the CAs.

He also laid stress on maintaining impartiality, integrity and international standard in certifying the financial statements, which will contribute to the national development.

Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman underlined the need for efficient role of the accounting professionals to have a sustainable development in the country.

Addressing the new CAs, Mr Masih Malik Chowdhury said, "Maintaining of honesty, efficiency and courage in the professional duties benefits both the country and its people."

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