By Emmanuel Elebeke – Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has challenged the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN take part in the implementation of the new accounting and auditing strategy introduced for the Office of Auditor General of the Federation for economic growth.

The President gave the charge at the 29th annual national conference of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN themed: Advancing Excellence in a Changing world holding in Abuja.

He urged them to join hands in implementing the new policy by promoting public integrity, accountability and transparency in their activities as auditors, who peruse the financial books of the federal ministries, departments and agencies.

Recall that the President had a few days unveiled a Strategic Plan 2024-2028 of the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation.

The plan is, apart from ensuring the enactment of the federal Auditor General of the Federation’s regulation, seeks to promote public integrity, accountability and transparency in the activities of auditors, who peruse the financial books of the federal ministries, departments and agencies.

Against this background, President Tinubu, who was represented by the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein called on the ANAN members to utilize the conference as a crucial platform to discuss the evolving landscape of accounting processes in the idea of the country and beyond.

With the rapidly changing world of traditional accounting methods by disruptive technology, the President also changed the ANAN to navigate the therein with embrace digital technology in ensuring accounting excellence.

‘‘In today’s rapidly changing world and in our nation, the role of accountant has never being more digital, as we navigate economic uncertainty and technological advancement. In this, accounting excellence becomes paramount.

‘‘A few days ago, I unveiled a Strategic Plan 2024-2028 of the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation. ANAN members, who serve as accountants and auditors in our MDAs should take part in the cursory effect in the strategic plan, as it will affect how you work and keep your ledgers. As a former auditor myself, I advise you to take heed of plans of the office of the Auditor General.

‘’‘In today’s rapidly changing world and in our nation, the role of accountant has never being more digital, as we navigate economic uncertainty and technological advancement. In this, account ting excellence becomes paramount.

‘‘Through the dedication and expertise of accountants, you can ensure transparency, accountability and financial stability in our organizations in Nigeria.’’

President Tinubu, while commending ANAN for promoting excellence in the professional practice said, ‘’I commend ANAN for his commitment to promoting excellence in the accounting profession and for organizing this conference to promote knowledge sharing and professional development.

‘‘The insight and best practices to be shared during this conference will be undoubtedly contribute to the growth and success of economy. I call ANAN to play major role in this administration’s transformative policies. The renewal of our agenda which aims for the reposition of Nigeria as a major destination for global investment and job creation.

‘‘Accountants have a role to play in the evolving world dynamics in our dear country.

Therefore, this conference provides a golden opportunity for you all to embrace new mistakes of knowledge and opportunities to provide your horizons, from the physical and narrow issues to becoming proactive rather than been reactive to broader government policy direction.

‘‘Know that your influence flow from your profession’s continuing and apparent function. Undoubtedly, the government must collaborate closely with professional accounting organizations in the country as this involves harnessing the accounting profession’s full potentials to drive economic growth.

‘‘With the government already has good a working relationship with professionals bodies in the country, we can create a conducive environment for accountants to thrive, innovate and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s development. The benefits of such collaborations are clear, improve economic management, enhance corporate governance and increase investors’ confidence as we strive to build a strong and resilient economy, accounting expertise will guide us towards sustainable growth and prosperity.’’

He then charged them to take full advantage of the conference to actively engage in the discussion and networking opportunities the conference provides and see it as opportunity to learn from each other, exchange ideas and collectively shape the future of accounting excellence in Nigeria for the overall good of Nigeria.

Earlier in address, the President of ANAN, Dr. James Neminebor said with the changing dynamics in todays world, ANAN is equipping its members are proactively adapting in turning the economic disruption into opportunities for optimal development.

Neminnebor, who decried the negative impact of corruption, mismanagement and lack of transparency in the system, leading to hindrance to economic growth said that financial transparency and governance have become increasingly imperative in providing clear and accurate reporting for stakeholders access to reliable information.

‘‘Financial transparency is not just a moral imperative but an economic necessity. It ensures accountability, builds trust and promotes sustainable growth. We must strengthen our institutions, enhance oversight, and enforce consequences for misconduct, we must also empower citizens with access to information, education and participation in the budgeting process,’’ he said.

He also called for integration of environmental sustainability into financial decisions, recognizing the impact of human on the planet. ‘‘As we strive for economic development, we must prioritise environmental sustainability and in achieving this Green Accounting is focal tool that must be efficiently deployed,’’ he added.

In his own remarks, the ANAN Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kayode Fasua, who described the 29th edition of the conference as an icing of the cake of all the previous editions of the ANAN annual conference, said it was organized to prepare its members for the challenges ahead.

He explained that the choice of this year’s edition was informed by the changing dynamics in the world. ‘‘Today, everything is changing in the world. Accounting, five years ago, I wanted to teach this year. Accounting last year is not what it is this year. There are lots of dynamics, lots of new teams coming in. And don’t forget that the conference is also today as a currency discipline. And so we have to advance the excellence in that accounting profession as it changes, so that our members will definitely be at par with whatever is happening in the world.’’