Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants

Solomon Islands, March 31, 2023 - The Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants (ISIA) held its annual general meeting yesterday, March 30, 2023, which was well attended by its members. Over 50 members of the Institute attended the meeting which is the peak number recorded so far.

In his opening remarks, the ISIA President, Mr. Peter Lokay welcomed everyone and noted that ISIA has been making significant progress over the past few years in developing its capacity, strengthening its legal and governance frameworks, and providing professional training programs for accountants.

During the meeting, a new Council was voted in by members to oversee the strategic direction of the Institute for the next 12 months. Mr. Peter Lokay retained his position as President of the Council. Seventy-percent of the Council members were retained to ensure continuity of plans and thirty percent comprises new council members for the first time.

The new council members for 2023/2024 are as follows:
Mr. Peter Lokay – President
Mr. Johnson Lobo – Vice President
Mr. Roger Townshend – Treasurer
Mrs. Delilah Homelo – Secretary
Council Members:
Mr. Joseph Huta
Mr. Emmanuel Gela
Mr. Clifton Mark
Ms. Loretta Roke
Ms. Amabelle Vitualla
Mr. Kevin Murray
Co-opted Members:
Mr. David Dennis – Auditor General
Mr. Paula Uluinaceva – Accountant General

The members of the Institute also resolved to adopt the Institute’s Rules which were developed in 2022. The Rules are operational guidelines with respect to the Council, Secretariat, and Membership of the Institute. The Institute’s 2022 Annual Report which comprises the Presidents Report, the CEO Report, and the audited financial statements of the Institute were also adopted by the members.

ISIA's CEO, Pamela Naesol-Alamu who presided over the meeting, expressed gratitude to all members who attended the AGM and encouraged them to continue supporting the Institute's efforts to develop the local accounting profession in the Solomon Islands as the profession has an important role to play in nation-building and economic-development of the country.

In conclusion, ISIA remains committed to supporting its members to develop professionally and to raise the accounting profession's standards in the Solomon Islands.

For more information about ISIA and its programs, please visit their website at www.isia.org.sb or follow us on Facebook- Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants

Contact: Dorothy Wickham ISIA Media Relations This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +677 7496421

The Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants (ISIA) welcomes Parliament’s decision to pass the Tax Administration Act 2022 on 9 August as it enables reforms to ensure consistency and compliance in tax administration.

ISIA CEO, Pamela Naesol-Alamu said, “The tax administration reform will improve the quality and accuracy of tax returns, improve public revenue and establish equitable treatment of all taxpayers in Solomon Islands.”

ISIA also welcomes its responsibility to raise standards for national tax agents. ISIA is mandated by the Act, to establish clear baseline credentials for all tax agents. Ms Naesol-Alamu said, “The Act requires tax agents be practicing members of ISIA. This means ISIA will ensure registered tax agents are complying with the Accountants International Code of Ethics and Conduct as adopted by the Institute and are competent at preparing accurate tax returns.”

ISIA also congratulates the Minister of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) and the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) for establishing more rigorous requirements for tax agents to meet in order to be registered by the Commissioner.

Ms Naesol-Alamu said, “As a Professional Accountancy Organisation, ISIA is proud to partner with the Government of Australia and Institute of Public Accountants to better align with international standards and comply with its responsibilities prescribed under the Accountants Act 2010. This includes the development and piloting of a Professional Diploma in Accounting for 56 Solomon Islanders who are working in accounting and finance roles in both the public and private sector.”

ISIA also intends to use the Professional Diploma as the entry qualification for all certified book-keepers, and to subsequently develop an Technician Accountants membership cadre which will significantly expand the current class of “bookkeeper” to encompass members working for business houses, public service, and those who provide limited accountancy services to the public such as bookkeepers and tax agents.

In consultation with IRD, ISIA is upgrading its Professional Diploma in Accounting Program to include a taxation and law module, specifically tailored to Solomon Islands tax and company law legislation. This will be one of the compulsory requirements for members to successfully complete, before being certified and registered as practicing accountants.

ENDS

For more information, please contact ISIA CEO, Ms. Pamela Naesol-Alamu, on email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A Women in Accounting workshop was successfully hosted by the Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants (ISIA) today at the Heritage Park Hotel and attended by professional accounting women in both the private and pubic sector.

The workshop theme: “Progressing and Supporting Professional Accounting Women in Decision-Making Positions” was conducted purposely to facilitate discussions with professional women in accounting and finance roles to gain insights into the challenges they face in their roles. Discussions also focused on the support that they believe will enhance their careers and leadership skills in the profession.

ISIA CEO, Pamela Naesol-Alamu, in her opening remarks thanked the Australian Government for their ongoing support to the Institute and specifically for the financial support in progressing this initiative which was launched in 2020. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to create a pool of highly competent qualified women accountants who can effectively contribute to high-level decision-making processes in senior management roles and board of director roles. “

Anecdotal evidence has shown that women representation in these high-level positions is very low, and our current membership data has indicated that very few women actually made it to CPA level, and this is something we would like to see more women achieve going forward”. The information collected from the workshop will aid ISIA to develop a more strategic approach to continue to support and develop women accountants further progress their careers

The ISIA Executive Council wishes to inform all ISIA members that our 2022 Annual General Meeting
will be held as follows:

• DATE: 30th June 2022
• VENUE: Heritage Park Hotel.
• TIME: 6:00pm

Tentative Agenda as follows:

• Opening Prayer
• Quorum
• Opening Remarks
• Motions Put to the AGM for Resolution
• Election of New Office Bearers
• Handover to Incoming Council
• Closing Prayer

The final program and all Meeting Papers will be circulated to members prior to the Meeting.

Please note that ONLY financial members will be allowed to vote during the AGM.

For further information please contact ISIA secretariat on phone 20131.