Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants

Thursday 5 October, Honiara - A third cohort of women leaders and aspiring leaders in the country have successfully completed a four-day Solomon Islands Senior Executive Women in Leadership Program in Honiara on Thursday 28th September 2023. Delivered through a partnership between the Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants (ISIA), the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and the Solomon Islands Women in Business Association (SIWIBA), the program is aimed at building a pool of businesswomen and professional women with relevant knowledge and skills required to enable them to effectively participate in the decision-making process at higher organizational
levels.
The seventeen (17) women participants received their certifications for successfully completing the program during a SICCI Business After 5 networking event on Friday 29 September 2023 at the Heritage Park Hotel. Keynote speaker during the event was Chairlady of the SICCI Board, Ms Qila Tuhanuku who shared her own experiences and encouragements to help participants see the overall picture
of leadership in higher-decision positions which they can build on.
Head of Corporate Services at Solomon Water, Ms Michelle Maelaua was among those who completed the four-day program.
“As women executive it falls upon us to ask ourselves how we can make a difference in this space,” Ms Maelaua said while sharing her testimony. “Through this training we have developed, engaged and also used tools and discussed topics on how we can be better leaders as we go up the cooperate ladder.” Ms Maelaua highlighted that one of the key takeout from the training program was
networking. “A very important area which we as women leaders should not sheer away from. Another area is sharing our experiences,” she said.
Fiona Teama, Head of Marketing at Tourism Solomons, highlighted that all participants had firsthand experience together learning from each other during the four-day training program.

“One of the highlights of the training was the challenges we face as women leaders daily, and we were able to draw some strategies on how we can overcome some of these challenges. “We also heard and were able to hear first-hand information and experiences from women in different industries in the country,” Ms Teama said. ISIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Pamela Alamu reiterated that with this training they hope to provide participants with relevant knowledge and skills in key areas that are important as a starting basis to support them in building their overall leadership skills. Through the partnership between ISIA, SICCI and SIWIBA, they have collaborated with a shared vision of diversity and inclusivity to help strengthen women’s active participation in higher decision-making positions whether it be in business, organisations or on boards or
committees. “We want to look at effective ways in which we can start developing women and empowering them so that they can be effective in the areas in which they serve, and one of the first steps is to have a structured training on fundamental areas considered critical for effective
leadership in this space,” ISIA CEO, Ms Alamu, said. SICCI’s Executive Officer and Acting CEO, Ms Florence Rhibbie Tatemale Auma said
SICCI, as the peak body representing the private sector, values the partnership between ISIA and SIWIBA.
Ms Auma commends past participants and present for taking up the challenge to enhance themselves with the knowledge and skills through the training that would grow the presence of women in the senior executive roles or higher. “The participants are the reason why the two cohorts conducted were successful,” she said. SIWIBA CEO Ms Rachel Rahii concluded by stressing that there is no guideline or module for women leaders in the Solomon Islands, so the road out there is tough. “With the skills you have learned in this training I want you to go out there and do your best
for your respective organization,” she encouraged the participants. The SIWIBA CEO acknowledged all the partners who have worked together to make this training program possible for women in the Solomon Islands.

“Together we can drive positive change,” she said.
-ISIA Media ENDS///…WITH PHOTOS

Captions:
Photo 1: ISIA CEO Pamela Alamu delivering her opening remarks at the BA5 event.

Photo 2: ISI CEO Pamela Alamu and SICCI Chairlady Qila Tuhanuku handing over certificate to one of the participants.

Photo 3: ISIA CEI Pamela Alamu, lead facilitator Pauline Soaki and staff from Toursim Solomons who participated in the training program.

Photo 4: ISIA CEI Pamela Alamu, lead facilitator Pauline Soaki and staff from Solomon Airlines who participated in the training program.

Photo 5: Doctor Donna Wate receiving her certificate from ISIA CEO Pamela Alamu.

Photo 6: Tourism Solomons’ Marketing Manager, Fiona Teama sharing her experience in attending the training program.

Photo 7: Head of Corporate Affairs at Solomon Water Michelle Maelaua sharing her experience in attending the training program.

Photo 8: SIWIBA CEO Rachel Rahii delivering her closing remarks at the BA5 event.

INSTITUTE OF SOLOMON ISLANDS ACCOUNTANTS

MEDIA RELEASE - PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA PROGRAM GRADUATION 2023

Title: ISIA congratulates graduands of Australian Funded Professional Diploma in Accounting Program.

Thirty-nine public sector and private sector accountants graduated with their Professional Diploma in Accounting from the Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants on Monday 11 September.
The inaugural graduation ceremony marked the successful completion of ISIA’s pilot of its professional development program, the Professional Diploma in Accounting. The Australian Government funded the pilot as part of its broader support to the Institute. ISIA delivered the pilot in collaboration with the Institute of Public Accountants, Monarch Institute, and Pearson Vue.
 

ISIA CEO, Pamela Naesol-Alamu said ISIA is focused on raising the standards of the accounting profession in the country. “To raise the standards, we need to develop a pool of highly competent accountants, and professional development programs such as the Professional Diploma in Accounting are aimed at equipping accountants with technical knowledge and enhance their capability to provide high quality services to their employers and clients”. The pilot was recently completed in July 2023 with the successful roll-out of four modules which covered key accounting competencies for technician accountants and registered book-keepers. This included a Tax & Law module contextualised to the Solomon Islands tax system and Company Law.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Sally-Anne Vincent, said, “Under the Australia-Solomon Islands Economic partnership Australia’s support to ISIA and the pilot program recognises the great need for professional development opportunities for accounting professionals and practitioners in Solomon Islands. A strong pool of professionals and practitioners can raise the standards of the accounting sector across Solomon Islands which underpins good governance and accountability and promoted economic stability”

I acknowledge the support and the role the Government of Solomon Islands in providing an enabling environment for this important development which supports long-term economic growth in the country”.

Institute of Public Accountants President and Board Chairperson, Julie Williams, said, “Accounting isn’t just about numbers, it’s about the social contract that exists between all of us. The future of accounting will be broad, transdisciplinary, and focus on problem solving, but accounting will still be the core of the profession”.

“Australia and the Solomon Islands are neighbors and long-time friends. The IPA Group is committed to capacity building in the Asia-Pacific, and we hope that the ISIA - IPA Professional Diploma of Accounting program will help prepare graduates for the future of the profession,” said Williams.

ISIA CEO expressed her sincere gratitude and appreciation to all ISIA’s key partners. She added, “our success in developing the accounting profession in Solomon Islands would not have been possible without the ongoing support from the Governments of Solomon Islands and Australia. Over the last eight years, Australia has financially supported key projects of the Institute. This includes the piloting of this Professional Diploma Program through the Australia Solomon Islands Partnership for Governance Program. The Government of Solomon Islands has ensured appropriate laws and regulations are in place that also enables ISIA to deliver its mandate.” ISIA intends to provide more professional development opportunities to enhance accountants’ knowledge and skills in the country, and a professional membership pathway for its members to allow them to progress toward higher professional accreditation.

Employers, business houses and everyone that rely on the services of accountants should support the work of the Institute as Solomon Islands stands to gain many economic benefits when the local accounting profession is strong. End:// For more information, contact ISIA Media on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 20131

In a significant step towards enhancing the business advisory landscape in the Solomon Islands, sixty business advisors from across the nation gathered last week to participate in skills development workshops. 

Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and delivered in collaboration with the Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants (ISIA), the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industries (SICCI), DT Global, and the Government of New Zealand's Business Link Pacific Program, the workshop catered to a diverse pool of experienced and emerging business advisors, equipping advisors with skills vital for effective business advisory. The workshops were held from 10 to 11 August and 15 to 16 August, 2023.

Acknowledging the pivotal role advisors play in nurturing commercial ventures, Barbara Wilkinson, the facilitator, expressed, "Businesses perform so much better when they have the support of an expert advisor at their side, whether they be accountants, marketing experts, HR advisors, or IT specialists."

The training aimed to assist and encourage advisors to provide more comprehensive services, adding value for their clients. Wilkinson further noted, “It was great to see such a strong uptake from both very experienced business leaders as well as those starting out with their advisory practice. The advisor network is growing in Solomon Islands, offering a range of services that go beyond accounting and marketing advice. Climate change advice, doing business digitally and help with exporting are just some of the other services businesses can access from a business advisor.” 

A good starting place for businesses to find help is the www.BusinessLinkPacific.com website where they can find an advisor, access subsidies, apply for business grants and access a range of online business tools.

The workshops were funded under the ADB’s COVID-19 Business Recovery Initiative that is operating across six Pacific Islands countries, including Solomon Islands, until December 2024. The program takes a multi-faceted approach to aid businesses in their resurgence after the pandemic by facilitating access to finance, providing complimentary business recovery planning services to pandemic-affected entities, improving the capabilities of business organizations such as ISIA and SICCI, advancing women's economic empowerment, and strengthening the Government's efforts to cultivate a favorable business environment in the new normal.

ISIA's CEO, Pamela Naesol-Alamu, emphasized the implications of this training, stating, “With this training, we hope that our members and practitioners will be able to expand their accounting and finance skills and expertise into the business advisory space. With the existing knowledge and skills that they possess, accountants are well placed to be expert business advisors, so this is an important training for them.” 

Muriel Dakamae, a workshop attendee, underscored the value of this opportunity, stating, “it’s an opportunity to broaden our knowledge, skills, networks, and systems needed in an advisory practice. Being a successful business advisor requires a thorough understanding of a range of business issues, effective communication, a strong work ethic, and a genuine desire to help business thrive in our challenging Solomon Islands context”.

Rhibbie Auma, Acting CEO & Executive Officer of SICCI, praised the pioneering nature of this initiative, remarking, “it’s the first time we’ve had training like this in the Solomon Islands, for business advisors. The workshops covered important skills that business advisors need to confidently provide meaningful services that support business growth.” 

As the business landscape in the Solomon Islands continues to evolve, ISIA and SICCI remain steadfast in their commitment to providing professional development opportunities for their members and practitioners. ISIA's CEO summarized this dedication, stating, "We want to ensure that our members have what it takes to deliver quality services and add value to the businesses they serve."

END//

The Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants (ISIA) and the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) had signed a historic Memorandum of Understand (MOU) on Friday 5th of August 2022. 

The objective of this MOU is to strengthen and enhance cooperation between ISIA and SINU in the development of a competitive human resource manpower that meets the needs of the accounting profession and business sector