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International Conference in Azerbaijan
International conference in Baku, Azerbaijan
The International conference entitled ‘Role and Importance of Monitoring in Increasing Transparency and Combating Corruption’ was held on 18 -19 September, 2008 in Gülüstan Palace, Baku.
The Conference set the background for inscribing Azerbaijan into global development processes, focusing on various aspects, such as combating money laundering and corruption, implementation of audit standards and current trends in audit development, enhancement of institutional mechanisms following international practices. Among the key speakers of the conference was Mr Ramiz Mehdiyev, the Head of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, who spoke of Azerbaijan’s progress in economy during recent years and revealed Government’s will to achieve financial transparency in all economy sectors. Dr Vahid Novruzov, the Chairman of Chamber of Auditors of Azerbaijan, reminded the audience that transparency increasing and control system improvement are the major elements of democracy.
The Conference continued financial forums held in Azerbaijan with ACCA’s participation since the MOU had been signed between ACCA and the Chamber of Auditors of Azerbaijan Republic (CAAR) in June 2007.
Dr Nataliya Vovchuk, the Head of ACCA in Ukraine, Baltic and Caucasus States, spoke on the subject of professional regulation. Her presentation on ‘ACCA Experience: Quality Assurance and Regulation’ was heard by governmental regulation and business representatives of more than 10 countries.
During the presentation Nataliya Vovchuk presented ACCA’s experience as a professional body which: regulates and monitors its members; sets standards of quality; issues licences to practise as an accountant; handles complaints and takes disciplinary action where necessary. ACCA’s regulatory programme aims to ensure ACCA accountants in 170 countries adhere to high standards of ethics and professionalism.
Dr Vovchuk said: “Government and public can have confidence in accountants who belong to a reputable professional body; because if individuals are found not maintaining high standards of behaviour, action can be taken against them, and their practising certificate can be taken away. So ACCA protects the interests of the public and the clients who use our members’ services.”
“But the accountants themselves also benefit from this external confidence and trust. There are tough requirements and obligations on being a member of an internationally regarded professional body, but this sets them apart from accountants who do not belong to such a body and who therefore are not regulated. An important aspect of ACCA is that we have partnerships with national professional or government bodies, which trust our Quality Assurance programme.”