ACCOUNTANTS have been challenged to uphold professional integrity to restore public confidence on the profession.

This was said by the Deputy Finance Minister, Ms Saada Mkuya Salum when gracing the Institute of Accountancy (TIA) - Singida Wing - graduation ceremony here over the weekend. She urged the graduands to be impartial in their work to achieve high professional excellence.

Ms Mkuya said accountancy was a noble profession which requires highly trained people of integrity to practise it, abiding by the norms and principles in the highest degree level. She observed that most of the financial scandals in the country and elsewhere in the world were a result of lack of impartiality among people entrusted with the role of overseeing financial management.

"Soon after completing your studies here you will be confronted with many challenges. Please take heed, it is only impartiality that will guide you to the right direction in your daily life," she said. The Deputy Minister called on the graduands to use the knowledge they have received to become creative as they establish and supervise various income generating businesses.

"The days of looking for employment are long gone - go for self employment because you now have the necessary skills," she said, asking the finalists not to be complacent with the education they have attained but instead aim higher.

TIA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Shah Hanzuruni, said the college was facing a lot of challenges including lack of classrooms, lecture rooms, quarters for the lecturers, furniture and modern library. A total of 1,331 graduands (662 women and 669 men), were conferred with certificates and diplomas in accountancy, procurement, human resources and business management.