The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) celebrated the graduation of 250 individuals today. Among the graduates were 231 Certified Public Accountants (CPA), 4 Certified Tax Advisors (CTA), and 15 Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD) holders.
This cohort of graduates holds a special place in the annals of the Institute’s history. They are the first to complete their studies under the revised Syllabus launched in January 2023.
Moreover, the CPA graduates distinguished themselves as the inaugural candidates to undergo computer-based examinations for the Integration of Knowledge, the final paper of the CPA course. This innovative approach was introduced to enhance graduates’ ICT-Competence to prepare the students for the demands of the modern accounting profession.
Speaking at the ceremony, CPA Josephine Okui Ossiya, the President of ICPAU, emphasized the importance of upholding the highest standards of the Profession. “The Journey to becoming a Certified Public Accountant is challenging. It demands not just mastery of numbers and financial principles, but also integrity, honesty, and a deep sense of ethical responsibility.”
“With the performance of the inaugural cohort, we are now more confident in the market readiness of our graduates,” she remarked.
She concluded by reminding the graduates of their responsibility as custodians of public trust, stating, “You are now custodians of public trust, a role that is both an honor and a challenge.”
CPA Daniel Nangalama, the Chief Guest of the ceremony, shared valuable insights on achieving success in the accounting profession. “Profession doesn’t mean you carry a title. What should set you apart from the rest is how you do your work.”
He also emphasized the importance of continuous learning, stating, “You should be eager to keep learning continuously, because there’s a lot you benefit from it.”
Nangalama further encouraged the graduates that, “Serving and giving back to your communities is strategic because you don’t know where that could lead you on your career path.”
Guest Speaker, CPA Charles Busingye, echoed the sentiment of continuous learning and adaptation in the dynamic field of accounting. “The Profession is dynamic, and you need like-minded people to sharpen you and remind you. Also get a mentor because the nature of our profession is that we have legacies left behind by the people that came before us.”
“Embrace technology because we are no longer number crunchers. There’s a reason as to why the institute itself is evolving from paper-based exams to computer based and with time programming languages will be introduced because you are dealing with a lot of data and you have to learn how to manipulate it,” re-echoed Busingye.
Busingye highlighted the benefits of being a CPA, stating, “The benefits that come with being a CPA include, but are not limited to access to continuous development, job adverts specifically for you, accountability, cohesion, and belonging.”
As the graduates embark on their professional journey, they were reminded of the Institute’s core values of professional excellence, accountability, integrity, and responsiveness.
They were urged to not only excel in their respective roles, but also to serve and give back to their communities, leveraging their skills to make a meaningful impact.
