11th International Scientific Conference convened In Beirut

The conference was organized by The Lebanese Association of Certified Public Accountants in Beirut, with active participation of The International Francophone Association of Certified Public Accountants (FIDEF), Arab Federation of Certified Public Accountants, and the Middle East Society of Associated Accountants, Lebanon.

Following the opening speeches which were delivered by the Treasurer of LACPA and the General Secretary of the conference Mr. Fernan Ghumaigha, Mr. George Awaidah, and Chairman of the Middle East Society of Associated Accountants, Lebanon Dr. Mowafaq Al Yafi the President of the Lebanese Association of Certified Public Accountants and the Secretary General of the Federation of Certified Public Accountants.

The representative of the patron of the conference Mr. Fouad Al Siniora, Lebanese Finance Minister delivered his speech in which he addressed the difficulties, facing the developing countries and all professionals including the Certified and Chartered Accountants, and he stressed the importance of maintaining on-going dialogue between civilizations with a view to enrich the accounting thought through exchange of expertise and knowledge which will in the end of the day bring about benefits for both today and future generations. Mr. Siniora stressed the keenness of the Lebanese Government to support such scientific and intellectual conference and wished the participants every success in their deliberation.

The first day session was devoted to round table deliberations over the following selected issues:-

1. Importance of consistent harmonization of accounting methodologies worldwide.
2. Peculiarities of standardizing of accounting in the Francophone countries.
3. Methods of Education are in the Francophone world.
4. Role of the professions in harmonizing of accounting methods.

The session was concluded with a summary of the issues addressed through the day.

In following days, the speakers reviewed the professional standards for certain Arab countries, which included the Medical, Pharmaceutical, Dental, and Accounting professions and many others. The speakers addressed in detail the importance of the on-going and continuous professional training in improving the levels of performance in all professions in the Arab World. The papers delivered in the conference focused on the following issues:

a. Developments in IT and their role in the control and monitoring of professional standards.
b. Developments in auditing standards.
c. Developments of the accounting and auditing professions and corporate requirements.
d. Role of accountant experts in special missions.

In the closing day the participants forwarded their recommendations to concerned parties including government authorities, trade unions, professional Societies and Associations, urging them to continue their dialogue and activate the implementation of professional standards in various independent professions.

On the side lines of the conference the General Secretariat of the Arab Federation of Certified Public Accountants, held its ordinary meeting under the Chairmanship of Dr. Mowafaq Al Yafi and with membership of the General Secretary Assistants from nine countries (Lebanon, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Kuwait and Qatar). The meeting adopted a work plan for the remaining part of the year as well as the basic outlines of the year 2003 work plan, according to Mr. Mohammed Al Salah, the Federation General Secretary Assistant for Bahrain.

Key events covered by these work plans are summarized as follows:-

1. Arrangement of a training course in Lebanon during the period 19 - 21 December 2002 on(Methods of setting up work plans in auditing offices).

2. Arrangement of a training course in Egypt during the period from 6 - 8 February 2003 on (Modern marketing concepts for auditing firms).

3. Organization of a scientific conference in Lebanon in co-ordination with the Lebanese Association of Certified Public accountants, during the period from 24 - 26 April 2003 on
(Ways of professional co-operation between

4. Organization of a Scientific conference in Tangier - Morocco in co-ordination with the Moroccan Organization of Certified Public Accountants, during September 2003 on (Investments in the Arab World and the role of Accountant)

5. Organizing of a training course in Bahrain during the period 18 - 24 October 2003 on (Applications of International Standards in The Arab countries and consistency with Local laws and standards)

The foregoing is part of diversified activities involved by Arab Federation of Certified Public Accountants on regular basis since its inception with a view to achieve its declared objectives through co-ordination and strengthening syringes between the members of the accounting and auditing professions and tireless endeavours towards the standardization of the general concepts of accounting thought and the implementation of the professional standards under applicable laws in all Arab countries, as well as boosting the relationship between the experts and the different economic entities which seek their services.

It is worthy to mention that the membership of The Arab Federation of Certified Public Accountants (AFCPA) is open to Qualified Accountants who satisfy the required qualifications conditions according to provisions of the constitution of the (AFCPA). The Arab Federation is a forum in which represented members from fifteen Arab countries , seeking to provide its services to all of its members and enriching their knowledge through exchange of expertise and by exposure to the latest developments relating to their professions on world arena and boosting relationship between them and the other members of independent professions as well as with various classes of the community in the Arab world regardless of their culture or economic difficulties.