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Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants Chief Executive Officer Sheree Ebanks addressed regional government and global audit leaders last week at an international event promoting collaboration on matters of public finance management and sustainability.

Ebanks attended and served as co-chair at the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) MOSAIC Steering Committee meeting and forum in Kingston, Jamaica. It was part of a week-long event that brought together INTOSAI — an independent global body that assists organisations that audit government entities — as well as auditor generals from around the region.

“We are all here today because of our commitment to the public interest,” Ebanks said during her official dinner remarks on 21 June in front of a crowd that included Jamaica’s Minister of Finance Hon. Dr. Nigel Clarke as well as the country’s Opposition Speaker on Finance and Chairman of its Public Audit Committee, Mr. Julian Robinson. “With the impressive diversity of experiences and backgrounds here today, each of us has an extraordinary opportunity to learn from each other. This is a truly global, diverse gathering.”

MOSAIC (Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Accountancy and Improve Collaboration) is a historic agreement that sets out the basis for improving cooperation and collaboration between IFAC, international donors, and the international development community. With 13 signatories, it provides the foundation for an aligned approach to increase the capacity of professional accountancy organizations (PAOs) and improve the quality of public and private sector accountancy and financial management. Ultimately, this will enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of donor assistance, contributing to economic growth and poverty reduction.

“Strong PAOs can contribute to and support the implementation of robust accounting practices in the public sector, which can result in better accountability and transparency,” Ebanks said in her closing remarks at MOSAIC. “Finance professionals in public service must have the right skills to deal with the challenges and opportunities ahead. As professional accountants we are not always so vocal about our good work – but we must speak loud and clear on the need for stronger PFM. Our profession must continue fighting for complete transparency and accountability.”

Ebanks was invited to speak and present to the MOSAIC committee on behalf of the IFAC’s Professional Accountancy Organisation Development and Advisory Group. This marked the first MOSAIC steering committee meeting since 2019.

This was just one of the recent international events where Ebanks was asked to speak. IFAC also invited Ebanks to submit a recorded video presentation last week, which was played at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC) 40th Annual Caribbean Conference of Accountants, in Grenada. Ebanks was asked to describe CIIPA’s own digital transformation and the importance of PAOs — particularly smaller or developing PAOs — using technology to become more efficient with their processes and administrative requirements.