Chang tops accountants exam

Rosabel Chang is the 2014 Top Final Qualifying Exam candidate for the Samoa Institute of Accountants.

Ms. Chang is currently employed by the Ministry of Finance. And the achievement is something she strongly thanks her parents for.

Business couple, Joe and Lina Chang, have always supported their daughter in whatever dreams, goals and endeavours she has set out to accomplish, she said. Of the 28 students that first registered to S.I.A. to take the F.Q.E., guaranteeing their membership in the institute, and the 22 that sat the first test and the 19 who appeared on the second day, Ms. Chang was one of two that successfully accomplished the marks. And yesterday at the Samoa Conference Centre at Sogi at the 2014 Induction Programme her efforts and achievements were acknowledged.

She was awarded the ANZ Trophy for making an 80 per cent passing mark in the exams. And was also presented with a monetary prize. When asked what is next she said she “will see”. Grace Moananu Lesatele employed by the Central Bank of Samoa was the second high achiever.

She was also awarded for her efforts and achievement. To be a member, the F.Q.E. requires candidates to sit two exams of three hours each where their professional competence is tested.

The first exam focuses on Structure of a Profession, Ethics and Current issues and Jurisprudence and the second covers International Accounting Standards and International Standards on Auditing. The pass rate for these exams is 65 per cent.

Others were also awarded and acknowledged for their efforts; including Safai Iosua Selesele employed by Krissy Company who received the Accounting Technicians certificate and Fred Ah To of the Audit Office for Chartered Accountants.

Top national university students for 2013 were also awarded. They were; Faith Ameto Ulugia for Advanced Financial Accounting and Auditing, Jevilene Vili Leleisiuao for Management Accounting and Puali Prince Suhren for Taxation Law.

District Court Judge Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma, during the keynote address, told the audience that he has never felt fear in all his years as a lawyer, or even when he was sworn in as judge.

But when invited to give a short speech at the induction ceremony he became concerned “because I would be surrounded by accountants”.

The ceremony was an opportunity to express happiness because it is when the hardship to achieve this milestone is forgotten. He said accounting is an important knowledge and service.

But like any other profession it had in place guidelines to direct the proper actions required when they were made an accountant.

Like lawyers, doctors and judges – they had taken oaths to serve their duties as lawyers according to the constitution, to conduct their duties well as doctors and with honesty.

Despite the different wordings in these oaths there is one main theme in all of them – “to work with integrity and to serve honestly”.

This was his challenge to the new members. When these are achieved other good things will follow including blessings not only for them, and their families, but also for the country, said Fepuleai.

He also told them that despite being armed with a degree, skills and knowledge to conduct their duties as accountants “not everyone knows everything”.

This is why it is important to ask questions and share when they are unclear. In fact he said many pretend to know it all but continue to serve without proper understanding.

This was serving dishonestly and it meant that they wouldn’t be able to contribute fully and successfully to their duties. “Set high standards and be honest in doing that in any duty you are given and be prepared at all times.”

He also told them to use their knowledge wisely and the opportunity without fear and prejudice.

“Conduct and practice work with integrity [because], regardless of riches and knowledge, at the end of the day all you have is a good name.”

The event was organised and hosted by the Samoa Institute of Accountants.