Monrovia – The Liberia Institute of Certified Public Accountants has frowned on President-Elect Joseph Boakai’s decision to downplay local auditing firms and hire foreign ones to audit past government officials. 

By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)-websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Recently, Boakai to the public that his administration would vigorously fight corruption and promote accountability. That way, he disclosed plans to hire foreign auditing firms to audit past government officials. 

Speaking to journalists at the headquarters of LICPA, the president of the institution Victor S.K.B Tanwone, Sr. said his institution applauds and welcomes the initiative of auditing past government officials. 

However, he said there exist local audit firms with equivalent qualifications and competency to perform such tasks as foreign auditing firms. 

“I am pleased to use this medium to call the attention of the President–Elect, His Excellency Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai the following: Hiring of foreign audit firms. The Liberian Institute of Certified Public Accountants has taken a keen interest in the President–Elect’s pronouncement about his intention to hire the services of foreign audit firms to conduct an audit of the stewardship of past government officials,” Mr. Tanwone said. 

The LICPA boss added: “The Institute, therefore requests His Excellency to hire the services of these local audit firms or encourage any foreign audit firm to be hired to partner with local audit firms that are licensed by the LICPA in performing the engagement or audit.”

“Our position is not only to say don’t bring in foreign audit firms, they should partner with the local audit firms. That way you are building capacity, you are increasing revenue of the local audit firms that are on the ground, because they will pay taxes to the government and you are encouraging the future young Liberians that want to be professional accountants,” Mr. Tanwone said. 

Appointment Of Comptroller And Accountant General

The LICPA also stresses that Section 12.10 of the Public Financial Management Act, as amended (PFM ACT) states that there shall be minimum qualification standards established in the regulations for the position of Comptroller and Accountant General and for Comptrollers of line ministries and agencies.

Part II, Section 7.2 of the Public Financial Management Regulations Mr. Tanwone says states that notwithstanding sub–regulation (1), the Comptroller and Accountant General shall be a professional member of a recognized professional accountancy body with no less than a bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business Administration or Finance and shall have a minimum of 10 years relevant work experience in accounting, five of which must be in a senior management position within a reputable organization.

“Even though, the Act and regulations did not specify the LICPA. However, we solicit, your Excellency, your consideration to appoint a professional member of the Institute as Comptroller and Accountant General to give relevance or morale boost to local content as it is done in other countries in Africa and the world,” LICPA boss asserted. 

He added: “It will also serve as an encouragement for young future Liberian accountants to pursue professional certification or qualification.”

Also, the LICPA commends the President-elect’s unwavering commitment to accountability and transparency in the management of public resources. 

However, the group says if the President-elect wants to achieve his goal, he must appoint professional members of the LICPA as Chief financial officers and comptrollers at all government ministries, agencies, and state-owned enterprises. 

“Whilst this is not a requirement in law at the moment, we strongly encourage you to constitute this action via Executive Order. The work of these professionals is governed by the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA). A body constituted by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) to issue ethical requirements or standards for Professional Accountants,” he said. 

Also, the LICPA president is calling on what he termed as fake auditing firms and individuals 

 that are parading themselves as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). 

“The LICPA is the only legal body constituted and authorized by law to grant licenses to qualified individuals or firms to practice or offer accounting, audit, and other assurance services in Liberia.

Individuals and entities hiring the services of these fake individuals violate the laws and will be prosecuted if caught,” Mr. Tanwone said. 

MONROVIA – For several decades, Alfred Teah (not his real name), 59, a self-employed Liberian has been repairing shoes in central Monrovia, opting for a genuine change in the governance process of the country.

By Obediah Johnson

His work is the only source of income that he has utilized to send his children to school, including his daughter (name withheld) who was among recent graduates of the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) on Camp Johnson Road in Monrovia.

He’s among the thousands of Liberians who exercised their political franchise in the just ended November 14 presidential runoff election.

He wants Liberia’s next President to change the narratives and the old-aged way of politicking in the post-conflict nation by prioritizing developments over the accumulation of questionable and ill-gotten wealth.

“Liberians need better roads, good electricity, healthcare delivery and schools and not for our leaders to continue to enrich themselves,” Alfred stated while passing a sewing pin and a thread through a worn-up shoes.

According to him, an effective and efficient health system for Liberians and adequate road connectivity will enable them live a healthy life and enable them to move from one place to another to carry out commercial activities or render other services to become self-productive.

This, he maintained, will also help citizens provide basic necessities for them and their respective family members

“When electricity goes somewhere, businesses will follow,” he added.

Listening to citizens

Alfred observed that Liberians will continue to change leaders one after the other if they (elected officials) failed to prioritize the interest of the citizens, who are their employers, to enrich themselves and their immediate family members and friends.

He underscored the significance of Liberia’s next President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to listen to suggestions and recommendations from citizens in finding lasting or sustainable solutions to addressing their plights.

“The next President should be the best person for Liberia that should do what the people wants him to do. If he doesn’t do those things, the people will boot him out.”

Alfred further called on the next government to help address the growing wave of unemployment, especially among young people.

He observed that many young people are roaming various streets in Monrovia and other parts of the country due to the lack of job opportunities.

According to him, the situation has obligated most young people to turn to “beggars”, depending on handouts from public officials and others to survive.

Alfred maintained that job opportunities for young people will help them become productive citizens who will in turn immensely contribute towards the infrastructural and socio-economic development of Liberia.

“This too much of begging will not help us as citizens. I am 59 years old and have a daughter who is out of college. This job I’m doing sent her to school and college.”

Speak on issues

Famatta Kowo, 55, called on President-elect Boakai to avoid remaining mute on key national issues affecting and endangering the lives of citizens and the country at large.

She said the next government should desist from taking decisions or actions that could only suit friends and family members.

She emphasized that the former Vice President should use his over 40 years of experience in public service to make decisions that would benefit the masses.

“If any bad thing happens, Joseph Boakai should be able to put people on the field to investigate. And the Liberian people should be able to see the consequences of the investigations.”

Crackdown on drugs

Kowo called for a major crackdown on the trading and intake of illegal substances, including “kush.”

“This drug issue is really serious. We don’t want to see it because our children are spoiling. They may not be your belly-born, but all women feel the same pain (during delivery). Let him (Boakai) get rid of it.”

She further that civil servants should be paid better wages to be able to pay the fees of their children attending various public and private schools and universities across the country.

Uphold rule of law

Samuel Waykor, 62, cautioned against disregard for the rule of law and the misappropriation of public funds under the incoming UP government.

“I believe that Joseph Boakai can make a positive change. I expect him to conduct an audit first.”

Martha Hinneh, 61, called on the government to promote accountability and transparency in steering the affairs of the country.

For too long, she added that, the wealth and resources of Liberia have been mismanaged and as such, President-elect Boakai should ensure that the wellbeing of the masses is prioritized above the interest of him and his government officials.

“Sometimes we should ask ourselves as Liberians, why our country is still behind other countries? The next President has been elected and the ball is now on his court to perform and leave back a legacy. I think one of the best legacies he can leave behind is to prosecute government officials who have been accused of corruption.”

She observed that the prompt replacement of poorly performing elected officials will serve as deterrence for those contemplating on enriching themselves and making decisions that will not benefit the citizenry.

“I want for Liberians to change leaders after every six years if they fail to perform. This will help make most of them serious to do things or take decisions that will benefit the people who elected them to power.”