ICAEW and BICA Sign Reciprocal Membership Agreement

12 November 2015
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African Media Agency (New York)
press release

London — ICAEW (the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales), a world leader of the accountancy and finance profession, has signed a Reciprocal Membership Agreement (RMA) with BICA (the Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants), Botswana's national professional accountancy body, on 11 November 2015. This will enable members of both bodies to apply for membership of the other, giving them access to a greater support as well as boosting their international presence and expertise.

ICAEW and BICA have been working together since 2009 to strengthen the profession in Botswana. The RMA was signed on by ICAEW President Andrew Ratcliffe and BICA President Frederik Els at the start of the Council meeting of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). The event was hosted by the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) in Singapore. The agreement is viewed as a milestone in the long-standing relationship between the two organisations and is expected to give a further boost to the accountancy profession in southern Africa and its impact on the continent's growing economy.

Andrew Ratcliffe said: "ICAEW is proudly committed to assisting high quality, sustainable development in Botswana. We have worked with BICA to establish Botswana's first independent national qualification which has supported the institute as it continues with its transformation into a modern professional accountancy organisation more closely aligned with international standards and better positioned to meet the needs of its members. The RMA gives the members of BICA a route to international recognition, highlighting their professional excellence and highest standards. Similarly, ICAEW members in Botswana can join BICA directly and benefit from their support and network. I am looking forward to seeing both the first BICA member qualify under the new programme and how our work will contribute to further capacity building and professional development in the region".

Frederik Els said: "BICA is determined to deliver the highest professional, technical and ethical standards to ensure that Botswana's accountancy profession plays a central role in supporting the country's economic development. This is why we were keen to become chartered accountants - recognised worldwide for denoting excellence and integrity - and why we are proud to be partnering with ICAEW, which has been safeguarding and supporting the development of chartered accountancy since 1880. This agreement will see our two bodies working hand in hand to support the accountancy and finance profession in Botswana and the region."

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of ICAEW.

Media enquiries:

Magdalena Andrzejewska,

ICAEW press office

+44 (0)20 7920 8616

email magdalena.andrzejewska@icaew.com

Oupa Gaofise

BICA press office

+267 397 2992 extension 118

email oupagaofise@bica.org.bw

Notes to editors:

About ICAEW

1. ICAEW is a world leading professional membership organisation that promotes, develops and supports over 146,000 chartered accountants worldwide. We provide qualifications and professional development, share our knowledge, insight and technical expertise, and protect the quality and integrity of the accountancy and finance profession.

As leaders in accountancy, finance and business our members have the knowledge, skills and commitment to maintain the highest professional standards and integrity. Together we contribute to the success of individuals, organisations, communities and economies around the world.

Because of us, people can do business with confidence.

2. ICAEW is a founder member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide and the Global Accounting Alliance.

About BICA

INCORPORATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS

Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (the Institute) is a professional body of accountants domiciled in the Republic of Botswana. The Institute was incorporated in Botswana, in terms of the Accountants Act 2010, by an Act of Parliament. The role of the Institute is to represent its members' interests, develop the accounting profession, protect the public interest, and ensure observance of the highest professional and ethical standards by its members and to carry out any other functions expected of a professional accountancy and membership body. The Accountants Act 2010 makes it mandatory for all individuals in Botswana offering accounting and related services for a salary/fee to register with the Institute. To date the Institute has 2080 registered members. BICA is a member of both the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

Source: ICAEW (the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales)

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