President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, Patrick Lumumba, Kenyan’s Anti-Corruption boss, and Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), among others will discuss the way for Nigeria’s sustainable growth and development at the 49th Annual Accountants’ Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
The theme of the conference, scheduled for Monday, September 9 to Friday, September 13, 2019 in Abuja, is ‘Building Nigeria for Sustainable Growth and Development.’
Bunmi Owolabi, senior manager, corporate communications/marketing of ICAN, in a statement made available to BusinessDay, said the theme was specifically carved to evolve ways to strengthen institutional framework to support government’s anti-corruption drive and to chart a new strategy to overcome security and infrastructural challenges in Nigeria.
The lead paper of the conference entitled “Strengthening Institutional Framework to Support Anti-Corruption Drive” to be delivered by Patrick Lumumba will provide an insight into some of the key global trends and reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in state and economic institutions, Owolabi said.
According to Owolabi, “Disruptive Innovations: Challenges and Opportunities in The Accounting Profession” which is the second paper hopes to dissect innovative technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, machine learning, block chain, data analytics, as the greatest disruptor of the accounting profession in this age.
“The paper will consider the challenges disruptive innovations may bring to the profession and the opportunities therein for accountants. It will also consider the readiness of the accounting profession for digital disruption and how the profession aims to develop future accountants as new technologies significantly changes the role of professionals in this regards.”
In the statement, she observed that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) recently issued letters of substitution to commercial banks in Nigeria, appointing them as tax collecting agents for certain listed customers maintaining accounts with such banks.
This, she said, form the basis for the third paper entitled “The FIRS Power of Substitution: Critical Review and Matters Arising” and will review the legality or otherwise of the substitution powers of the FIRS to appoint banks as collecting agents and whether the FIRS has the power to instruct banks to freeze the account of tax defaulters.
“A paper will also be presented on “Public Accountability: A Driver of Transparent Leadership and Governance”. The paper will discuss issues bothering on accountability and proffer suggestions for improved public accountability to stimulate transparent leadership and governance in Nigeria,” she said.
Other papers to be presented and discussed at the conference include: Integrity and Meritocracy: The Imperative for Political Leadership, Sustainability: Global Development and Opportunities for Nigeria and Chartered Accountants as well as Public Accountability: A Driver of Transparent Leadership and Governance among other papers.
The conference will offer a platform for experts and professionals to rub minds on the way to make accountability the watchword in governance and financial transactions.
Source: businessdayng
