PA Group CEO Andrew Conway at the graduation ceremony for students of the Professional Diploma of Accounting Studies in the Solomon Islands.
Accountants play an intrinsic role in society that cannot be underestimated, according to Andrew Conway, CEO of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) Group.
Addressing the Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants (ISIA) Congress last month, Conway said the work of professional accountants was “not fundamentally about business, profit, numbers [and] tax,” but about the human impact.
“We use financial information to make better decisions to ultimately improve the quality of people in our communities,” he said. “The economic and social impact of the work we do every day has a profound impact on the lives of those around us.”
The IPA has a rich history of working closely with local partners across the globe to build capacity and capability to socially and economically empower communities. Our work in the Solomon Islands reflects our drive to strengthen professional standards across the globe.
It was a thrill to watch the second cohort of 52 students graduate from the Professional Diploma of Accounting Studies. They face a bright future full of opportunity to make a significant impact in their country and beyond. The program is delivered by the ISIA in partnership with the IPA and support from the Australian federal government. Giving people the technical, communication and critical skills they need to help their communities thrive supports long-term sustainable growth. It is one of many examples of the IPA’s commitment to driving social, community and economic value across the region.
IPA builds regional capability through micro-credential learning program
Another key pathway to building capacity in other countries is through our transformative accounting education program. Our innovative approach to professional learning helps build talent through the professional diploma and the Global Certificate of Public Accounting (GCPA) program, an accessible and flexible micro-credential initiative that aims to open new pathways for aspiring accountants worldwide.
The global rollout of the GCPA this year marks a significant milestone in our mission to transform accounting education. By providing a more accessible, practical route into the profession, we aim to cultivate a diverse pool of future accountants equipped with the skills needed to navigate a rapidly evolving industry.
Our international activities around the GCPA are expanding rapidly. We are in discussions with educational institutions and professional bodies worldwide, exploring how this framework can be adapted to local needs while maintaining global standards. From the Pacific Islands to Europe, we’re seeing growing interest in this innovative approach to accounting education.
GCPA prepares students for complex external environment
As businesses grapple with complex challenges around sustainability, technology, and globalisation, the demand for accountants with broader skill sets and diverse perspectives has never been greater. The GCPA is our response to this complex external environment by providing flexible pathways that meet evolving market needs.
We spent more than two years researching and designing the GCPA to ensure it offers fit-for-purpose, flexible and future-focused certification that equips students with life-long learning tools. The Micro-credential Framework aligns with the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) standards in technical competencies and creates new opportunities for people who do not want to pursue traditional pathways to accountancy.
The flexible, online delivery model allows participants to progress at their own pace, with the potential to complete the program in as little as three years. The GCPA reduces study time without compromising quality, adapts to graduates and experienced professionals, evolves with industry needs due to its modular nature, diversifies the pool of students and provides flexibility for education institutions.
We have already seen promising results from our pilot program in Fiji, which focused on problem-solving and team management within a sustainability context. Participants included professionals from IPA Fiji, our partners FICA and Business Assistance Fiji, and representatives from the Solomon Islands.
At the IPA, we believe that everyone working in a business environment should have relevant accounting skills, even if they do not aspire to become fully-fledged accountants. By making accounting education more accessible and aligned with real-world needs, we are not just shaping the future of the accounting profession – we’re contributing to a more financially literate, employable and adaptable global workforce.
As Conway said in the Solomon Islands: “Nothing in the world happens without an accountant somewhere.”
Philomena Leung is the Director of Education at the IPA Group.
More information on the Global Certificate of Public Accounting can be found HERE.
