The Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ICPAU), CPA Derick Nkajja has called on professional accountants to be value creators to themselves and the organisations they serve. “Be intentional in what you do. Continuous Professional Development is one of the ways one can add value to themselves,” CPA Nkajja said.
The call was made on 28 April 2022 during the CFO Academy graduation ceremony at the Kampala Serena Hotel. The Academy is an initiative of MAT ABACUS Business School and ICPAU, aimed at skilling emerging leaders in the accountancy profession, which in turn will propel them to greater heights in their organisations.
“We must understand the value of the accountancy profession to organisations,” CPA Nkajja said. He added that it is only through this that we will be able to improve the performance of these organisations.
CPA Nkajja also advised the graduates to be compliant with all regulations in their organisations. “Be ethical and espouse integrity. These values are important in the profession. They are also important to you as an emerging professional. Follow the guidelines set out by your organisations and those that govern the accountancy profession,” he said.
He also called upon all professional accountants to be at the fore of promoting the profession. “We all need to protect the profession by guarding it against any misinformation and distortions,” he said.
CPA Selestino Babungi, the Managing Director of Umeme Limited called upon the graduates to support their Chief Executive Officers. “When the CEO excels, you have also excelled as a Chief Financial Officer. CEOs cannot grow an organisation without your support. Failure to do so, you have failed as a professional,” he said.
“The working relationship with your CEO today could be your advantage in the future when you intent to replace your boss,” he added.
Airtel Africa and SpaceX Announce Strategic Partnership to Launch Starlink Direct to Cell Connectivity Across AfricaHe asked them to embrace stakeholder engagement strategies that create strong bonds between their organisations and the stakeholders. “These shared value strategies are key in growing organisations,” he said.
On personal career growth, CPA Babungi tasked the graduates to look ahead. “Today you are a CFO, what will you be tomorrow. You must set your eyes to something bigger now by working hard today,” he said. He further asked them to grow those they supervise.
CPA Prof. Samuel Sejjaaka, the Team Leader at MAT ABACUS Business School advised graduates and all professional accountants to always accord people respect if they are to grow their careers.
“People always ask me how I have made it on many Boards in Uganda. The answer is simple; I treat people in the way I would want to be treated. Simple things like extending pleasantries to even a stranger can land you many opportunities,” he said.
The Academy began its activities in 2018 with the first cohort attracting 18 Chief Financial Officers.
The third cohort attracted 17 CFOs as follows.
- Mr. Allan Joel Kyeyune – Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC)
- CPA Barbara Kabuchu – Uganda Investment Authority (UIA)
- Mrs. Beatrice Sekabembe – National Information Technology Authority (NITA–U)
- Mr. Dick Kwikiriza – Umeme Limited
- Mrs. Harriet Namuddu Banalya – Centenary Bank
- Mr. John Ggolooba Ngobi – UAP
- Ms. Irene Maberi – Vivo Energy
- Ms. Emily Nakamya – Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC)
- Ms. Nabiira Namuddu – NBS TV
- Mr. Owen Tusiime – Stanbic Bank Uganda
- Mr. Peter Ssenyamge – Post Bank Uganda Limited
- Mr. Ronald Sendawula – aBi Trust
- CPA Ronald Akankwasa – Case Medical Centre
- Mr. Ronald Kyeyune – Capital Markets Authority (CMA)
- Mrs. Sarah Bateta Okwi – MTN Uganda
- Mr. Victor Mutungi – Umeme Limited
- Mr. Jude Muhumuza – MAT ABACUS Business School
