Icam calls for professionalism in key areas
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi (Icam) has called on government to professionalise all key accounting positions to ensure that only competent and professionally certified accountants occupy them.
In a letter addressed to the Office of the President and Cabinet Chief Secretary, dated October 8 2013 on the recent public resources plunder at Capital Hill, the body, formerly the Society of Accountants in Malawi (Socam), has noted that the move would promote high ethical and professional accountancy conduct.
The letter, which has been signed by Icam chief executive officer Evelyn Mwapasa, notes that the move to professionalise the positions will ensure that government vigilantly guards against fraud and other malpractices that are a direct result of a poor ethical culture.
“Icam has noted with grave concern the recent fraud revelations that point to substantial loss of public resources. Icam is ready and willing to work with the government on ways of sustainably enhancing accountability and controls in the public sector to ensure that public resources are well safeguarded,” said Mwapasa.
The accountants’ body noted that the incidents so far reported have the potential to seriously knock down stakeholders’ confidence in Government and to tarnish Malawi’s image internationally.
