The Malta Institute of Accountants will be holding its eight biennial conference, entitled ‘Defining new frontiers – translating vision into value’, on Thursday, November 6 and Friday, November 7 at the Hilton Malta. This conference is held every two years and attendance is open to all MIA members (currently 2,300).

This year’s conference assumes a particular importance in view of the recent accounting and auditing reforms that have been approved by the EU, which will affect the Maltese business sector profoundly. The accountancy profession has been heavily affected by EU legislative initiatives, and these changes are also affecting local enterprises.

The new developments in audit and accounting are not the only developments, as other changes in tax, prevention of money laundering and public sector accounting are also expected to affect the local accountancy profession. Matters have come to a point where members of the profession should have the courage to question themselves.

The conference coincides with Malta’s 10th anniversary of EU membership. For accountants, the EU poses a twofold challenge: firstly, they need to understand how the key forces emanating from the EU will shape the future around us. Secondly, they need to assess how these changes and developments will impact the profession.

Over the years, the conference has grown in stature and delegates have grown accustomed to a high quality event that attracts a large number of prominent local and foreign speakers.