BUIST head inspires lifelong learning

Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Otlogetswe Totolo has urged chartered accountants to continue learning and grow their profession.

Speaking during Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) graduation and awards ceremony last week, Professor Totolo said lifelong learning is imperative in every profession. “Learning ensures professional growth and guarantees the gaining of new light and understanding. I therefore expect our graduates to continue further into their professional studies and learn every day of their lives,” said Totolo.

He highlighted that accounting profession is an ethical profession therefore all graduates should display the ethical attitude and conduct in every aspect of their lives.“The public expects accountants to play a critical role as gatekeepers of financial probity and honest, reliable financial reporting.

The accounting profession is a noble one as it links commerce and integrity. It ensures that we are able to assess and measure business records, financial transactions and records with confidence,” said Professor Totolo. He highlighted that this gives both insiders and outsiders the necessary comfort that governments, businesses and individuals portray as a record of their financial dealings is indeed true, honest, accurate and reliable.

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) President, Mr Paul Aplin said accountancy is a unique profession. “Our ICAEW Chartered Accountants find themselves in a wide variety of exciting and diverse roles. Being a Chartered Accountant offers huge opportunities. It is the best passport to professional success but with that comes huge responsibility,” said Aplin.

BICA President, Gosego Motsamai pointed out that the graduation and awards ceremony proves that the institute is on track towards attaining its strategic objective of increasing the number of professional accountants in Botswana. BICA has a total number of 1334 professional accountants in which 717 are foreigners while only 617 are citizens.

“BICA qualification is meant to be a panacea to this shortage. The qualification’s competitive advantage is derived from its fusion of both theory and practical work experience over and above its emphasis on ethics,” said Motsamai. BICA qualification started in 2011 and has so far produced 17 top quality Chartered Accountants. The qualification is internationally recognised in over 170 countries and the institute is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).