Budget 2010-2011- ACCA Pakistan organises a public platform for open debate

Budget 2010-2011
ACCA Pakistan organises a public platform for open debate

Maintaining its practice of submitting budget proposals to the Federal
Board of Revenue, ACCA Pakistan proposals 2010-2011 for Federal Budget
2010 titled "Supporting Fair Taxation" endorses the government's
efforts by outlining practical recommendations aimed at establishing a
fair taxation system by widening the tax base to create a system that
is perceived as socially equitable and nurtures a culture of voluntary
tax payment. Cognisant of current economic priorities, ACCA Pakistan's
budget proposals outline proposals for a taxation system conducive to
local industrial resurgence, which will address environmental
challenges and attract foreign investment so as to manage the national
and global economic challenges.

ACCA Pakistan is organising a Pre-budget Discuss on 4 May 2010 in
Serena Hotel, Islamabad. This Budget Discuss will be mainly focusing
upon the remedy of current challenges existing in the economy. The
panelists include Mr Kashif Shabbir, President, Rawalpindi Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, Mr Zafar Ul Majeed, Member Strategic Planning
and Statistics, Federal Board of Revenue., Mr Sakib Sherani, Economic
Advisor, Ministry of Finance, Ms Ayla Majid, Director Business
Advisory Services, Khalid Majid Rehman & Co and Mr Salman Amin,
General Manager Audit, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited.

ACCA-WWF Business Earth Talk

Press Release: ACCA-WWF Business Earth Talk

ACCA in collaboration with WWF celebrated Earth Day by organising
"ACCA-WWF Business Earth Talk" at the Serena Hotel Islamabad. The
event encompassed discussion forums 'Water: The Next Carbon' and
'Disclosing Transparency: The Changing Landscape', followed by the 8th
Annual ACCA-WWF Pakistan Environmental Reporting Awards (PERA) 2009.
Bringing together stakeholders from different walks of life, the event
provided an excellent opportunity to discuss current trends in best
sustainable practices and the evolving nature of business reporting.
The discussion forum, "Water: The Next Carbon' focused on both the
question of whether there is a role for businesses in water management
and the challenges to businesses in a world where clean water is
increasingly becoming a rarity. The panelist for this discussion
included Mr Ali Hassan Habib, Director General, WWF Pakistan; Mr Arif
Masud Mirza, Head of ACCA Pakistan; Mr Muhammad Javed Malik, Federal
Secretary Environment, Ministry of Environment; Syed Ahsenuddin, Vice
President, Engro Polymer & Chemicals Ltd and Mr Farhan Sami, Country
Team Leader WSP-SA, World Bank.

The second discussion forum, "Disclosing Transparency: The Changing
Landscape' analysed the challenges and opportunities of the changing
landscape of business reporting and stakeholders' increasing
information expectations. The panelist for this session included Mr
Shafqat Kakahel, Former Pakistan Ambassador and, Ex -UN Asst.
Secretary General; Dr Afra Sajjad, Head of Education and Policy
Development of ACCA Pakistan; Mr M. Adil Khattak, CEO, Attock Refinery
Limited; Mr Ahmed D. Patel, Chairman-Executive Board, Ernst & Young
Ford Rhodes Sidat and Mr Markus Turczyn, Head of Finance, Procurement,
Administration & IT, OMV (Pakistan) Exploration GmbH.

Keeping the focus on environment alive, the 8th Annual ACCA-WWF
Pakistan Environmental Reporting Awards 2009 ceremony was also held to
recognise and reward companies that report on corporate environmental,
social and sustainability performance to a broad range of
stakeholders.

The winners for 2009 were Attock Refinery Ltd. and Engro Chemicals
Pakistan Ltd. for Best Sustainability Report 2009; AES Lal Pir Thermal
Power Station for Best Environmental Report 2009 in the Multinational
Category; National Refinery Ltd for Best Environmental Report 2008 in
the Local Listed Category. Qarshi Industries Pvt. Ltd. was awarded
commendation for showing their commitment and consistency to
transparency in reporting where as Engro Polymer and Chemicals Ltd was
awarded commendation for commitment to excellence in sustainability
reporting.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Guest, Mr Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi,
Minister for Environment, lauded the hard work of all the companies
who participated in the Awards Scheme. He acknowledged the awards
stating, "The government of Pakistan is very much supportive of
private sector initiatives like the ACCA-WWF Pakistan Environmental
Reporting Awards and is willing to work with ACCA and WWF to encourage
greater buy in of the business community".

The evening commenced with welcome remarks by Mr Arif Masud Mirza,
Head of ACCA Pakistan who emphasised on the importance of best
practices in environmental, social and sustainability reporting. He
said, "ACCA has set a benchmark for sustainability reporting and is
heartened by the achievement of our award winners. It is indeed
fantastic to see how many organisations, large and small, have
recognised the importance of sustainability and environmental
reporting and continue to grow on these standards."

Ms Aliya Mohydin, Manager Environment and Customer Services, Punjab
Industrial Estates gave an overview of the awards signifying the
growing awareness of Corporate Social Responsibility amongst
corporations. She said that the awards ensure that companies target
improvements in the quality of information disclosed during the
reporting process. Hence the awards help businesses streamline
sustainable practices and development.

Also present on the occasion was Mr Ali Hassan Habib, Director General
WWF Pakistan who in his closing remarks stated, "Events like ACCA-WWF
Business Earth Talk come a long way in increasing environmental
awareness in the corporate sector, enabling discussion on important
environmental issues as well as awarding deserving companies who are
working towards environmental sustainability. Even after 8 years of
presenting the PERA awards, promoting sustainability will continue to
be a key ACCA and WWF commitment".

Budget 2010-201: ACCA Pakistan organises a public platform for open debate

Budget 2010-2011
ACCA Pakistan organises a public platform for open debate

Maintaining its practice of submitting budget proposals to the Federal Board of Revenue, ACCA Pakistan proposals 2010-2011 for Federal Budget 2010 titled "Supporting Fair Taxation" endorses the government's efforts by outlining practical recommendations aimed at establishing a fair taxation system by widening the tax base to create a system that is perceived as socially equitable and nurtures a culture of voluntary tax payment. Cognisant of current economic priorities, ACCA Pakistan's budget proposals outline proposals for a taxation system conducive to local industrial resurgence, which will address environmental challenges and attract foreign investment so as to manage the national and global economic challenges.

ACCA Pakistan is organising a Pre-budget Discuss on 15 April 2010 in Avari Hotel, Lahore and on 17 April 2010 in Sheraton Hotel, Karachi. This Budget Discuss will be mainly focusing upon the remedy of current challenges existing in the economy. The panelists in Lahore will include Mr Shahid Naseem, Chief Commissioner, Large Taxpayer's Unit, Lahore, Mr Muhammad Arshad, Vice President, First Fidelity Leasing Modaraba, Mr Asad Feroze, Partner, Muniff Ziauddin Junaidy & Co. Chartered Accountants, Ms Aasia Saail Khan, Chairman, Women Entrepreneurs Development, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The panelists in Karachi will include Mr Asrar Rauf, Member Direct Taxes, Federal Board of Revenue, Mr Arif Masud Mirza, Head of ACCA Pakistan, Mr Kaiser Bengaliwala, Advisor to Chief Minister, Planning and Development Department and Mr Abdul Majid, President, Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industry.for business - creating sustainable value www.accaglobal.com/accountants_business<http://www.accaglobal.com/accountants_business>
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Financial English Teacher Training

Financial English Teacher Training

ACCA Pakistan organized training for teachers of Cambridge ICFE (International Certificate in Financial English) in Karachi and Lahore.

English is the international language of accounting and finance, for finance professionals excellent financial English skills represent greater employability and enhanced career progression. For finance and accounting students this means greater ease in passing professional exams.

ACCA Pakistan launched Cambridge ICFE qualification to help develop and validate Financial English skills, ICFE tuition is being offered at learning providers including SBS and CFTR in Karachi, BETS and Rise School of Accountancy in Lahore and ACE and UCAT in Islamabad.

"ACCA launched ICFE last year in Pakistan and the response from both students and professionals has been very encouraging; currently there are about 100 students trained or being trained for Cambridge ICFE in six tuition centers in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. More over, the qualification has been highly appreciated and endorsed by Employers" said Mr Shamez Mukhi, Head of Marketing, Communications and Media Relations, ACCA Pakistan in his welcome remarks at the ICFE Teacher Training.

Honoring its commitment to quality delivery of Cambridge ICFE qualification, ACCA Pakistan arranged training for ICFE teachers. Around 23 teachers participated in the ICFE training which was conducted by Mr Mujtaba Iqbal, CEO, Centre for Financial Training and Research and Ms Shireen Iftikhar, Cambridge ICFE lead trainer.

The training intended to give an overview of ICFE curriculum and share best practices in terms of teaching methodologies, preparing teaching plans and customization of course according to needs and professional or academic backgrounds of students pursuing this qualification. The training was very well received by participants who felt Cambridge ICFE has a great value for finance and accounting community and the training has. equipped them in many ways to effectively teach this qualification.

ACCA Pakistan Annual Network Meeting

ACCA Pakistan Annual Network Meeting

ACCA Pakistan organised Annual Network Meeting on Monday 29 March 2010
at Lahore.

The aim of the Meeting was to apprise the members of the activities of
the Members Network Panel and the sub-committees formed by the Members
Network Panel for the year ending 31 December 2009.
The Annual Network Meeting was an interactive session for members to
discuss significant developments on the accountancy and legislative
front that affect the profession. Annual Network Meeting lays the very
foundation of good corporate governance whereby the members exercise
their rights in advising, inquiring, and voting to ensure that
management acts in the best interests of the organization.
ACCA opines that networking at the Annual Network Meeting can provide
an excellent opportunity to share practical learning experiences that
can supplement members' knowledge, thereby contributing to members'
Continual Professional Development (CPD). ACCA also urges its members
to play an active role in ACCA network and panel activities, at both
regional and national levels.
Mr Asad Feroze, Chairman, Members Network Panel gave a presentation on
members network panel explaining international Assembly objectives,
programme and highlights. He also elaborated on the achievements and
work done by sub committees of the Members Network Panel.
Mr Arif Masud Mirza, Head of ACCA Pakistan gave a presentation on how
ACCA Pakistan engages with policy makers, members and business
community in Pakistan. He also highlighted the role of ACCA in
developing accounting profession in Pakistan.
Syed Mustafa Haider, Vice Chairman, Members Network Panel gave
presentation on opportunities available for members and also discussed
the vision for future. The members appreciated ACCA's innovative
efforts in making this meeting most interactive.

ACCA Pakistan expands its Approved Employer network

Press Release: ACCA Pakistan expands its Approved Employer network

ACCA Pakistan presented Approved Employer Certificate to Trans World
Associates Pvt Ltd in a ceremony held in Islamabad. ACCA's Approved
Employer Scheme plays a pivotal role in the recruitment, development
and retention of the ACCA members and trainees employed in the
approved organisations.

Trans World Associates (Pvt) Ltd. (Transworld), a joint venture of
Orascom Telecom, Saif Group, and Omzest Group and was setup in the
wake of the deregulation of the Pakistani Telecom sector with a
mandate to operate the first privately owned submarine fiber optic
cable system between Karachi - Pakistan, Muscat - Oman, and Fujairah -
UAE. Trans World Associates (Pvt) Ltd. (Transworld) is Pakistan's
first private submarine fiber optic cable operator, and is the only
company in Pakistan that owns and operates its own cable system called
TW1.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Iftikhar A Chaudhry, Chief Financial
Officer applauded the efforts of ACCA towards employer relationship
building. He said, "We understand the need for consistent training and
development and hope that this relationship with ACCA will go a long
way in helping us attract and shape the brightest minds in the
business."

Later Mr Haroon, Head of Business Development, ACCA Pakistan said
"ACCA's linkages with Trans World Associates will allow young talented
ACCA trainees and members to work in an important and growing sector,
build their knowledge and professional skills. We are very excited
about working with Trans World towards setting up a professional
training scheme under this partnership."

Press Release: ACCA Members recognised

ACCA Members recognised

12 March 2010: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Pakistan held
an annual networking event for its members in Islamabad today at the Serena
Hotel providing a unique opportunity to build linkages within the ACCA
community and benefit from networking with leadership from well recognised
employers from the industry.

This Annual Networking event marked the celebration of ACCA as a successful
brand in Pakistan and appreciated the remarkable contribution of its members
towards the accountancy profession as leaders of innovation, research,
policy and practice. Speaking at the event Mr Junaid Ghouri, member of the
ACCA Pakistan Member's Network Panel commented that, "The ACCA members are
looked up to as leaders of the profession, driving the economy out of
challenging times such as these, advocating appropriate regulation, finding
innovative means to counter corruption and establishing best practices of
corporate governance and healthy environments."

The event featured an interactive video including ACCA's global leadership
in and their perspectives and recommendations about making ACCA a customer
focused accountancy body, ensuring that the ACCA community is 'fit for the
customer'.

Also part of the event was a live concert by STRINGS which was attended by
150 ACCA members and ACCA Approved Employers.