Accountants’ body roots for its own

By EMMA MALIN

Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) on Sunday maintained that the Controller of Budget and Auditor General should be a member of ICPAK with relevant qualifications.

The professional body of accountants dismissed recommendations by Constitution Implementation Committee (CIC) to amend a law that will allow persons without accounting qualifications considered for the two positions.

ICPAK condemned the writing by CIC chairman Charles Nyachae to the Attorney General on August 3, arguing that the requirement in Section 4 (1e) of the Independent Offices Appointment Act was unconstitutional and discriminatory.

"We wish to reiterate that the minimum qualifications required of the two offices which are recognised in the constitution include a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Economics as well as membership in a professional body of accountants recognised by law among other qualifications," said ICPAK chairman Patrick Mtange.

Currently, ICPAK is the only professional body of accountants recognised by law in Kenya.

Under the constitution, the Auditor General is mandated with the task of auditing and reporting on the accounts of national and county governments while the Controller of Budget will be tasked with overseeing the implementation of budgets by authorising withdrawals from public funds.

ICPAK called on the Government to act with speed as the move by CIC could delay the appointment of holders of the two offices whose deadline is August 27.

"The constitution clearly indicates that in selection of public officers, we must be guided by the principle of competence, suitability and accountability to the public" said Mtange.