A number of new Maltese accountants have excelled in their individual examinations and overall studies and have achieved top rankings worldwide.
Andrew Tabone ranked third worldwide in Performance Management, and Steve Bilocca, who has now completed all examinations in his course, ranked 39th globally for his overall cumulative score across his entire examination history.
Other accountants who achieved impressive worldwide results include Peter Bajada, who ranked sixth in Financial Reporting, Stephan Strijbosch, who ranked seventh in Advanced Audit and Assurance, Glorienne Xuereb who ranked eighth in Business Analysis and 42nd for her overall cumulative score, and Aaron John Meli who also ranked 42nd for his overall score.
More than 60 per cent of students whose performance landed them a global ranking had carried out their studies through the Malta Institute of Accountant’s Professional Academy, which is a Premier Member of the BPP Global Network (Europe’s leader in professional training).
“We are proud of the results obtained and of the quality of the available courses on the island; our country is endowed with a huge human potential and this keeps making us proud both locally and overseas, year after year.
“As our nation’s economy flexes its muscles further, the role of accountants is pivotal for our continued economic growth and competitiveness,” said Franco Azzopardi, MIA’s newly-appointed president.
“Where would Malta be today without the crucial role the accountancy profession has played in the country’s economic success?” he asked.
The Malta Institute of Accountants held its 2015 accountants graduation ceremony on October 15, bringing together 115 ACCA and 96 University of Malta graduates.
“With over 2,500 members and counting, MIA is one of the fastest growing professional bodies in Malta; since 1995 its graduates have increased by 500 per cent and membership has risen by over 400 per cent,” Mr Azzopardi said in his opening speech.
In his keynote address, President Emeritus George Abela emphasised the importance of sound ethics in the accountancy profession, highlighting the need to measure success not only in terms of GDP, but also the accountant’s ethical conduct. “Accountants must be weary of falling into the trap of placing money ahead of one’s values and ethics,” Dr Abela stressed.