11 Apr 2018 the Gambia finance professionals were invited to the first breakfast session at the NaNa Hall. The event which started as an idea of one person gathered over 50 accounting and finance professionals across different sectors.
Baba Barrow FCCA, the CEO of Gambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (GICA) delivered the opening remarks. He encourages that the event should be frequent for learning and networking among the finance professionals. “We have to raise up to our challenge and expectation and become role models to many young professionals”, said Mr Barrow.
Mr Lamin Jatta (FCCA), the Managing Partner of Accord Associates, presented an overview and compliance to the Gambia tax system. He presented the 2018 tax rates, filing date and implication of noncompliance with the tax laws in the Gambia. Jatta’s presentation was followed by Mr.Abdou Joof’s (FCCA,) a Partner at the HAD & Co Chartered Accountants.
Abdou discusses the need to promote auditing best practices in the Gambia. He also explained the key challenges facing the auditor firms, regulators and reporting entities in the Gambia. He further recommends some solutions to the issues including the implementation of the Financial Reporting Act 2013.
Ebrima Sawaneh (FCCA), the Founder of www.businessinGambia blog presented the final theme on the Finance Small Business Opportunities in the Gambia. Sawaneh discusses over 14 business ideas at startup, operational and growth level of small businesses. However, he reiterates that the ideas cannot be explored without accounting professionals coming under one active voice, partner with regulators, sector groups and collaborates. He believes the accounting profession needs to play a more active role in the nation-building and take the leadership position in supporting small businesses and startups in the country.
Salifu Bah, GNPC and one of the event organisers thanked the participants, facilitators and sponsors. The session was attended by many senior finance professionals in the country including Njillan Senghore (FCCA) Deputy Managing Director of Trust Bank Gambia Ltd, Sarja Camara (FCCA) Deputy Director of Finance GRA, Lamin Njie (FCCA) Finance Manager of NaNa and a GICA Board member, Hassan Jatta (FCCA) Managing Partner of HaD & Co, bank finance managers, audit partners and other government officials.
Ms Ramatoulie Jallow, Audit Manager at DT Associates, chaired the meeting.
Copy of the Presentations
You can download a copy of the presentations through the links below:.
- Complying with the Gambia Tax Requirements
- Promoting Best Auditing Practices in the Gambia
- Opportunities in the Accounting Profession – the case of SME & Start-ups
Event Sponsors
- Gambia Institute of Chartered Accountants
- HAD & Co Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers
- Accord Associates
- National Nutrition Agency
- Foresight Chartered & Certified Management Accountants
- Dambell Business Corporation
Thank you Mr Sawaneh, this has ever been a challenge in bringing young Accountants together at least for a briefing on the way forward of the Accountancy profession in the country.
GICA most learn from your initiatives and try and harmonise young Accountants and teach them on ethical behaviours.
Once again thank you Mr Sawaneh and the team.
Thank you boss Sarja. We are better together.
Great Initiative!!!
Thank you Salifu.
Mr Sawaneh am delighted that this step is been take May be one day my dreams of bring all the ACCA Professional on the board to build an institution in The Gambia call Institution of ACCA so that young once can have better education in accounting without so many obstacles stoping them from moving on with the learning I wish one day I can meet all of you and have a chart with you. Thank for the initiative
Thank you Nyanya.
Together we can do a lot to develop young professionals in the country.
Thanks every one for making this historic event a success.This noble profession should be taken to another level in the country.Accountants should be in the forefront on designing and implementing business strategy.We’re hoping to have more of this.
Thank you Sir Salifu. Wonderful job and congratulations on the event orgainization and the vote of thanks. This is the small beginning of the big initiative.