Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants

ISIA will be hosting an information session for members (and any interested person) later this month. Refer below details:

Topic: Good Governance, Internal Controls & Fraud

Presenter: Susan Morrison (Internal Audit Advisor)

Susan will be presenting on the importance of having a good governance framework emphasizing on a strong internal control system within organisations, and how this could lead to the prevention and detection of fraud.

Date: 25^th October 2023 (5pm to 7pm)

Venue: Heritage Park Hotel (Ahara)

FEES: Members $300 and Non-Members $350

Spaces are limited so allocation will be on a first-come-first-serve basis.

For bookings – please call 20131 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A networking opportunity will be held afterwards with finger food and drinks.

About our Presenter:

Sue is currently the Adviser to Internal Auditors in the Solomon Islands Government. She is a CPA and CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) and is also an International Development Consultant for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other donor partners and has worked with auditors in Cambodia, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and in other Pacific countries for improved governance and public financial management. In Australia, Sue has worked as a practitioner in local government and public sector entities, advised reform projects and spoken at conferences.
She is an author of IIA technical articles, PASAI newsletters and IMF blog, and contributed to IIA Research Foundation publications "Team Leaders Guide to Internal Audit Leadership" (2020) and the "Guide for New Internal Auditors" (2019). In 2021, she was a member of the International Project Team for updating the IPPF Guidance for the Public Sector which is part of the International Internal Audit Standards.

Under the new Tax Administration Act 2022, all tax agents must be registered book- keepers and registered certified practicing accountants with the Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants (ISIA). This was a key message at the Institute’s information session for its members on the Tax Administration Act 2022, jointly hosted with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury’s Inland Revenue Division (IRD) at Heritage Park Hotel on Wednesday 8 February 2023.

Speaking at the opening, CEO of ISIA, Pamela Naesol Alamu, highlighted the importance of ISIA’s role in setting the baseline credentials for tax agents under the new Tax Administration Act 2022.

“Tax agents must be book-keepers and certified practicing accountants registered with ISIA. Businesses should be aware of the new requirements under the Tax Administration Act 2022 and the Accountants Act 2010. They should ensure that accountants engaged to provide accounting, auditing, and other financial services have valid registration with the Institute,” said Ms. Alamu.

ISIA is seeking to certify competent accountants who can deliver accounting services that meet industry expectations. ISIA is currently piloting a Professional Diploma in Accounting on-line course with the Institute of Public Accountants (an Australian accredited organisation). The Diploma program commenced in July 2022 with a cohort of 56 candidates from the public and private sectors. The program will be reviewed in 2023 to assess its effectiveness.

Ms Alamu thanked attendees saying, “this information session is important to highlight the necessary requirements pertaining to ISIA membership and tax agent registration. We also call on practicing accountants who are not registered with ISIA to visit the ISIA Secretariat office so that we can guide you towards registration.”

Around 70 members attended the information session with many asking questions after the presentation by IRD.

Australia is supporting ISIA build its capacity to deliver a range of activities including support for the Professional Diploma in Accounting program pilot.

Ends.

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

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.