ACCA, AGP join forces to professionalize public sector finance

KARACHI: ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marking a landmark agreement between the two organizations.

The key focus areas under the MoU include joint initiatives to strengthen the capacity building of public sector finance professionals and to support the Public Financial Management (PFM) transformation in Pakistan.

AGP and ACCA will also collaborate on specialized training opportunities, including cyber security, data analytics and ERP, which will be delivered through ACCA’s global accountancy partnerships and international academic network.

At the MoU signing ceremony, ACCA President, Joseph Owolabi presented ACCA’s Approved Employer Accreditation to the Auditor General of Pakistan, recognizing AGP’s high standards of staff training and development. ACCA’s Approved Employer status will ensure AGP has access to ACCA’s globally sought-after talent with the right skills, ethics and competencies to drive AGP’s vision of a model supreme audit institution adding value to national resources.

Speaking at the occasion, the Auditor General of Pakistan, Muhammad Ajmal Gondal, stated:

‘I congratulate DAGP and ACCA on the signing of this MoU. This memorandum will cement the on-going collaboration between AGP and ACCA on various initiatives thus far. The MoU lays down the guiding principles of varied initiatives including capacity building to benefit the public sector in serving the nation by promoting accountability, transparency and good governance in the management and use of public resources.’

‘This MoU with ACCA will go a long way to further the Government’s vision of public sector transformation (in particular, public financial management) and professionalization of public sector audit and accountancy professionals.’

ACCA president, Joseph Owolabi, commented: ‘We’re delighted to formalize our partnership with DAGP through this MoU aimed at promoting professionalization of public sector finance professionals in Pakistan. This is key to empowering public servants for effective public financial management, improving fiscal transparency and enhancing public trust. I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate DAGP on their Approved Employer accreditation, which is recognition of their highest levels of employee support. I’m certain the cooperation between ACCA and AGP will bring positive change.’

Assad Hameed Khan, head of ACCA Pakistan, commented that this partnership will also support in the acceleration of Government’s efforts to modernize PFM, improve delivery of essential public services and garner public trust. The mutual cooperation will not only help up-skill public sector finance professionals, but also to spotlight their professional role towards sustainable and inclusive economic development.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023