The Cayman Islands Society of Professional Accountants recently honoured 14 Caymanian accountants at its fifth annual gala at the Ritz-Carlton on Saturday, 6 October.

This year’s honourees included ten newly qualified CPAs and five graduates with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.  The officers and council members of CISPA believe it is important to show their appreciation for these students’ efforts and dedication.

James George, CISPA President explained that the annual event allows CISPA to highlight the strength of the accounting profession in the Cayman Islands, which is vital to the continued success and growth of Cayman’s financial services industry and infrastructure.

“It is a very special night for CISPA and the honourees,” said CISPA President James George. “They have put in a lot of hard work. Becoming a professional accountant or doing your accounting course in university isn’t easy, but they have persevered and they deserve this recognition.”

Daphnie Frederick, who was recognised at the gala for achieving her CPA qualification said, “I really enjoyed the gala.  I was very glad that CISPA was able to put this event on for us. We worked really hard to get to this point and I am glad they were able to recognise us for that. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get through this and it was hard but getting through this just make me feel more accomplished.”

Sir Tim Wilson, the former vice chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, was the keynote speaker and talked about the need to promote collaboration between universities and colleges and business particularly as innovation and high-level skills become more critical in a health economy.

“We have moved on so much from 20 years ago where the educational system was totally detached from the employment system,” said Mr. Wilson. “Where students used to leave school, college, or university, and step into the world and hope they can get a job, where employers constantly complained about the skills of young people.”

Mr. Wilson added, “We are now in the world where a business can define the skills. They will work with schools, colleges and universities to make sure that the disconnection between and employment and education is bridged. We must continue to blur those boundaries. We can’t expect government to do it all. This is down to everybody involved. We must do this and not let our young people down.”

CISPA is a not-for-profit organisation that regulates and promotes the accounting profession in the Cayman Islands.  To learn more about CISPA visit, www.cispa.ky