ANNUAL PUBLIC SECTOR ACCOUNTANTS CONFERENCE 2025

THE INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF KENYA
(Established under the Accountants Act, Laws of Kenya)

ANNUAL PUBLIC SECTOR ACCOUNTANTS CONFERENCE 2025
Theme: Building Resilient Public Institutions through Reliable Accounting and Oversight Mechanisms
Date: 22nd – 26th September 2025
Time: 09.00am-03.30pm
Venue: Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa, Mombasa

OVERVIEW

What happens when governments lose public trust in how they account for and manage national resources? Across the globe, weak accountability structures, poor reporting frameworks, and information asymmetries in public sector accounting have resulted in massive fiscal leakages, misallocations of public funds, and increased public debt burdens. These failures directly hinder socio-economic development, compromise service delivery, and erode the legitimacy of public institutions. As economies become more complex, citizens and development partners increasingly demand comprehensive, reliable, and timely financial reporting from public sector entities.

International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) have emerged as a key benchmark in strengthening public sector financial management. By promoting accrual-based, principle-driven accounting practices, IPSAS has helped reframe the role of financial reports — not as bureaucratic outputs, but as tools for informed decision-making, long-term planning, and enhanced public trust. However, adoption and contextualization remain a pressing challenge, especially in developing economies where resource limitations, institutional inertia, and capacity gaps persist.

In Kenya, the transition from cash accounting to accrual accounting marks a significant policy shift toward transparency and financial discipline. Spearheaded by the National Treasury and aligned with international reforms, this move reflects the government’s ambition to improve fiscal oversight, better match liabilities with actual resources, and ensure long-term sustainability. Public entities are now expected to not only record transactions when cash is paid or received but also capture obligations and assets in real-time. This shift requires rethinking of systems, mindsets, and mandates across all public sector levels — from ministries and county governments to parastatals and oversight bodies.

Strengthening this transition begins with a deep understanding of the constraints in existing General Purpose Financial Statements (GPFS), particularly regarding relevance, reliability, and comprehensiveness of information. It also demands a thorough grasp of cost-benefit trade-offs in reporting and the value of fund accounting in managing resources earmarked for specific purposes. Clarity around the roles of key institutions — such as the National Treasury, the Office of the Auditor General, the Controller of Budget, and the Public Accounts Committees — remains essential for harmonizing mandates and reinforcing accountability.

Mastery of financial accounting techniques is crucial. Budgetary accounting, cash and accrual frameworks, commitment and fund accounting each play a role in capturing the full spectrum of financial activities and obligations within the public sector. Coupled with this, the accurate management of consolidated funds — including the vote book, cashbook, general and special funds, and annual financial statements — allows for clearer reconciliation between policy intentions and fiscal outcomes.

Today’s public sector professionals must be equipped not just with technical knowledge but with an awareness of risks and ethical dilemmas. Understanding internal control gaps, procurement vulnerabilities, and revenue leakages is a precondition for building resilient PFM systems. Integration of audit tools, real-time monitoring, and adoption of systems like IFMIS ensure that oversight goes beyond routine compliance and into the realm of value-for-money assurance.

Ultimately, this engagement is designed to connect policy with practice — from exploring key reforms to breaking down actual audit findings and lessons drawn from performance reviews across national and devolved units. Ethical standards, digital systems, and practical case studies will form the core of this learning exchange, encouraging participants from across the public finance ecosystem to confront challenges and forge a path toward accountable, transparent, and future-ready public financial management.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

TARGET AUDIENCE                     

Public Sector Accountants, Accountants in parastatals and State Corporations, external auditors, public sector internal auditors, IPSAS Board personnel, Academia, Accounting and Finance consultants; Employees and associates of Audit firms especially those auditing on behalf of the Auditor General, Audit practitioners, Members of Audit Committees at National & County levels, Members of PAC and PIC, Members of Finance and Budgeting Committees at National & County level, CEO’s, Departmental and Section Heads of Finance, among others

CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNITS (CPD UNITS)

Members of ICPAK and reciprocating professional bodies will be awarded 20 Structured CPD Units upon successfully completion of the Conference.

FINANCIAL INVESTMENT:

ONLINE BOOKING:

We call on all participants to note that booking is available only online at www.icpak.com/events and will close two hours before the training session.  Delegates are reminded to note that online booking for training sessions is MANDATORY.   This is available either online at www.icpak.com/events , you can also reach us through marketing@icpak.com

NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL TRAINING AUTHORITY (NITA) REIMBURSEMENT:

The Institute is registered as a trainer with National Industrial Training Authority. The Institute’s registration number is DIT/TRN/47. Participants who are registered levy contributors should apply to NITA for reimbursement of their fees. Please note that this is applicable for Kenyan citizens only and subject to NITA regulations. Remember that to qualify you should apply to NITA for approval prior to the date of the conference. Further details can be obtained from their website (www.nita.go.ke)

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This Conference attracts over 400 participants drawn from both the public and private sectors presenting a rare chance for exhibitors and sponsors. Those interested in sponsoring this event can reach us through raphael.nguli@icpak.com. Other requests for information can be channeled to us via telephone on +254 0719 074 100/129.

Further requests can be channeled to us via telephone calls on, +254 719 074 100 /221,  or via email to Fredrick Otwori   at fredrick.otwori@icpak.com with a copy to marketing@icpak.com.

We encourage members to regularly visit our website https://www.icpak.com for updates.