From December 11 to 13, 2024, the Order of Professional Accountants of Burundi (OPC) is hosting its 9th congress under the theme “Digital Transformation and Standardization of the Accounting Profession in Burundi: Entry Points to IFAC,” at La Détente in Bujumbura. This event, held under the high patronage of the President of the Republic of Burundi, marks a decisive step for the future of the accounting profession in the country.
The opening ceremonies were graced by the presence of high-ranking officials, including thd Prime Minister Gervais NDIRAKOBUCA, the Mayor of Bujumbura, Jimmy HATUNGIMANA, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, Damas BAKURANIMANA, as well as the President of the OPC, Frédéric GAHUNGU.
The discussions, centered on the digital transformation of accounting practices, provided an overview of the current state of digitalization in Burundi. They addressed key issues such as optimizing digital services to enhance the advisory role of accountants and the topic of electronic payment of taxes and services. Both accountants and representatives from public and private institutions gained a deeper understanding of the benefits of digitalization. The congress also identified obstacles to overcome in order to successfully transition to digitalization and proposed solutions for better integrating technology into the accounting profession in Burundi.
In his speech, the President of the OPC praised the efforts of its members in achieving IFAC membership. However, he stressed the need for increased financial support from the government and other development partners for future projects. He also advocated for the adoption of new regulations to protect the accounting profession, the establishment of central reporting systems to combat fraud, and the systematic auditing of institutions to ensure transparency in financial statements.
The Prime Minister, for his part, emphasized the importance of OPC’s collaboration with its counterparts in the region, across the continent, and globally, to foster the exchange of experiences and enhance capacity building. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the Order of Professional Accountants of Burundi its initiatives, highlighting the crucial role of the accounting profession in the sustainable economic development of Burundi.
