By Victoria Onehi
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Abuja and District Society has held its first ever Accounting week with a call on Accountants to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI).
At a seminar which held on Thursday at Merit House Abuja, two papers were presented on the theme of the Accounting Week ‘Changing Roles of Professional Accountants in the era of Artificial Intelligence.’
The first paper presenter and Chairman of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) Kubwa, District Mr Chiemeka Ezeribe, said AI can automate many task for Accountants making their work easier.
” There are apps that when used can help you determine errors, give consistent outputs, help determine fraud and give accurate information which enables you in decision making.Hence, AI can complement Accountants that upgrade themselves.” He said.
Similarly, an Accountant and Professor of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia,Canada Prof Ijeoma Adaji, said AI has come to stay and Accountants must do all to adopt it in their work.
” ChatGBT helps you to get information fast and easier which helps you to be more efficient. Artificial Intelligence can help Accountants do alot in terms of budgeting, pay roll adminstration, account reconciliation, invoice processing and more.” She said.
As part of activities to mark the International Accounting Day which is marked yearly on 10th November,the President of ICAN and members of ICAN Abuja and District Society had a Road walk from Akintola Williams House,off Herbert Macaulay way to the Treasury House, office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
The Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Oluwatoyin Madein while addressing them urged every Accountant to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) to be more efficient in their jobs.
” Accountants today need to embrace the future of our profession using AI. The era of debit and credit Accountants is gone. I therefore charge you to join the evolving roles of AI . ” Madein said.
The 59th ICAN President,Dr Innocent Okwuosa who was represented by the 2nd Deputy Vice President, Hajiya Queensly Seghosime said the over 60,000 ICAN members accross the country are not merely integral stakeholders but have proven their unwavering dedication to be economic assets of Nigeria just like the Accountant General of the Federation.
The 13th Chairman of ICAN and Abuja District Society, Mr Adeyemi Adesanya said the maiden edition of the Accounting week, geared towards marking the International Accounting Day was conceived to bring members together and discuss trends in the Accounting profession like the role of Artificial Intelligence.
He thanked the Executives and all members of the District for their support and contribution which led to the success of the programme.
The Accounting week started on Wednesday with a Quiz competition by nine secondary schools in the FCT as part of the Districts ‘Catch them Young’ programme to sensitise the young ones about the Accounting profession.
At the end of the competition, Government Girls Secondary School Dusten Alhaji emerged 1st with 7 points while Airforce Girls Comprehensive School, Airport came 2nd with 6 points and Word of Faith Group of Schools,Durumi came third.
The Accounting week ended with a dinner on Friday ,which held at the International Conference Center (ICC), Abuja.
