270 New Members join the Malta Institute of Accountants

The Malta Institute of Accountants welcomed 270 New Members in a special ceremony held at Mediterranean Conference Centre on Thursday October 25. The new members were formally received into the Institute after graduating in accountancy programmes by the University of Malta, ACCA, or ICAEW.

“The accounting profession in Malta is growing in size and, more importantly, in stature,” said MIA President William Spiteri Bailey in his address. “The Institute is committed to keep raising the standards of the profession and today we enjoy the respect of other professionals both in Malta and abroad.”

The ceremony was attended by distinguished international and local guests including ACCA Global President MrLeo Lee and Regional Head of Policy MrNick Jeffrey, ICAEW Regional Director Dr. Martin Manuzi, FEMA Dean Prof. Frank Bezzina, and former MIA President MrFrederick Mifsud Bonnici. High achievers in the three streams of study, were presented with an award by the respective representatives on behalf of the University of Malta, ICAEW, and ACCA.

MIA CEO Maria Cauchi Delia said that the Institute currently represents more than 3,000 accounting professionals in Malta: “The Malta Institute of Accountants is a force of change and development. Through its work and strategic partnerships, the accounting profession in Malta keeps ahead of the curve in transformations affecting global business and finance.”

The invited guests applauded the work of the Institute in supporting and developing accountants in line with the trends. Dr Manuzi spoke of the role of chartered accountants in a changing business environment and highlighted the attention given to digitalisation among professionals in Malta. MIA and ACCA enjoy an “excellent and long-standing relationship” said Leo Lee and encouraged new members to seek professional development in the Institute.

Frederick Mifsud shared episodes from his experience in accountancy and urged the young graduates to carry themselves with professionalism throughout their careers. The seasoned accountant elicited core attributes that make the profession worthy of respect. Prof. Frank Bezzina congratulated the new members on their achievements and appealed to them to never lose sight of the ideals the profession stands for. The FEMA Dean spoke about the radical technological and social changes impacting the profession and thanked the Institute for its commitment to prepare accountancy in Malta for the new realities.

Six students accepted special recognition for their achievements: Dominic Mifsud placed first in the Malta Overall Performance September 2017 ACCA Top Affiliate Award; Carol Debattista placed first in the Malta Overall Performance December 2017 ACCA Top Affiliate Award; Nicolette Maria Spiteri placed first in the Malta Overall Performance March 2018 ACCA Top Affiliate Award; Peter Bajada (in absentia) placed first in the Malta Overall Performance June 2018 ACCA Top Affiliate Award. Loucas Louca received the ACA Best Student 2018 Award; and, Matthew Sciberras received the Best University of Malta Accountancy Student Award 2018.

During the New Members ceremony, the Kevin Mahoney Award for Altruism was presented to Malcom Custó by Ryan Mahoney, the son of the late Kevin Mahoney for his work with Puttinu Cares Foundation. Now in its third year, the award gives recognition to MIA members who demonstrate the values of the Institute beyond their professional life.