PM plans govt’s engagement with accountants

THE Government will have greater engagement with both the state and private accounting firms to ensure accountability in governance, says Prime Minister James Marape.
Marape said this in his address to the 24th joint CPA (Certified Practicing Accountants) PNG and CPA Australia (PNG branch) conference at The Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby yesterday.
He said accountants were very important in a world where deceit, fraud and systematic abuses of resources occurred on a regular basis.
“As we go into the future, we will look for accountants to help government be more accountable,” Marape said.
“Your practice deals with standards, accountability and ensuring that numbers do stack up and everyone is held to account for his or her conduct.”
Marape said that it was time that the body of accountants rose in their consciousness to say no to deceit. “You are the last person standing to ensure that the organisations that you are working for are in total compliance and meet expectations as far as accountability and good practice is concerned.”
President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) In-Ki Joo said that accountants needed to continue to play the role of addressing corruption. “Being transparent, responsive and accountable is vital for improving lives and implementing sustainable development agendas all around the world,” Joo said.
“Fraud and corruption challenges are impediments to economic growth costing the broader economy more than US$3 billion (K10.2b) annually.
“Professional accountants must follow an international code of ethic and take collaborative action to fight corruption.”