Nairobi, 13th June, 2017, FCPA Julius Mwatu has been elected as the 22nd Chairman of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) for two years. He takes over from FCPA Fernandes Barasa after expiry of his two-year term in June 2017.
FCPA Mwatu is currently the Group Chief Finance Officer (CFO) at Indigo Telecom, in charge of Strategy, Finance & Risk. He commenced his accounting career with PKF where he was engaged in audit and tax and later worked with Ernst & Young and KPMG as a Tax Consultant and Trainer. FCPA Mwatu represents ICPAK in the Association of Professional Societies of East Africa (AP. EA) Board. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA)-Finance and a Bachelor of Science (BSc.)- Statistics. He is a qualified Certified Public Accountants of Kenya-CPA (K), and a Certified Public (CPS) Secretary of Kenya.
In his acceptance speech, FCPA Mwatu talked about the importance of preparation, anticipation, accountability and “taking bold steps” to ensure a bright future for the profession. FCPA Mwatu has been in the Council for the last six years where he has served in various capacities including as a Vice-Chairman since 2015. CPA Rose Mwaura and CPA Susan Oyatsi were re-elected to serve a further three-year term. Joining the Council for the first time is CPA Denish Osodo.
Going forward, one key for the profession is transforming the Institute “into a crucial influential voice to safeguard public interest at the time when the country is grappling with a myriad of problems ranging from corporate governance to mismanagement of public funds,” FCPA Mwatu said. He named several priorities – Amendments of the Accountants Act to be in sync with 2010 Constitutional dispensation, development and implementation of a whistle-blowing policy to protect ICPAK members from victimization, and the establishment of a centre for development and accreditation of tax matters, for example –where this approach will pay dividends. “It’s our collective responsibility to open up the world of possibilities for the next generation of accountants – to recruit, retain, and advance our members,” he said.
FCPA Mwatu will lead a ten-member Council who include; FCPA Pius Nduatih, Ms. Damaris Kimosop, FCPA Wycliffe Shamiah, CPA Geoffrey Malombe, CPA Rose Mwaura, CPA Samuel Okello, CPA Susan Oyatsi, CPA Obare Nyaega, CPA June Kivinda and CPA Denish Osodo.
