Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) has welcomed the decision by the Lusaka High Court to uphold the 12 months jail sentence passed by the Magistrate Court on former Sports deputy Minister Steven Masumba for using a fraudulent accounting diploma to obtain employment.
Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants Chief Executive officer Hapenga Kabeta has told Qfm news in a statement that as an Institute mandated to regulate the education and practice of the accountancy profession in Zambia, they welcomed the judgment because Mr. Masumba was holding out as a Technician accountant, which is a serious offence under the Accountants Act of 2008.
Mr. Kabeta says the decision by Mr. Masumba to hold out as a technician accountant was not only illegal, but against the values of integrity, virtue and professionalism, which accountants hold so dearly in the practice of their profession.
He says it is in this regard that the institute want to warn the public to refrain from holding out as accountants in order to avoid being in conflict with the law.
Mr Kabeta stresses that this does not only apply to those with fake accountancy qualifications, but even to those with qualifications but not registered under the Accountants Act of 2008.
The Accountants Act of 2008 stipulates that any individual in Zambia who is not a member of ZICA cannot practice as an accountant or be called an accountant. Section 12 (1) of the Act further states that a person who intends to be employed or to practice as an accountant in Zambia shall apply to the Institute for registration in the prescribed manner and form upon payment of the prescribed fee.
Mr. Kabeta has since appealed to all employers to remain good corporate citizens by obeying the law of the land and employ registered accountants.