The Malta Institute of Accountants has just launched a series of visits to different firms and organisations to keep close to its members. The president of the Institute, Mr Spiteri Bailey met the accountants at the National Audit Office, at PwC Malta and at Alter Domus.

Accompanied by MIA CEO Maria Cauchi Delia, the MIA president met auditor General Charles Deguara and deputy auditor general Noel Camilleri, prior to meeting with the National Audit Office (NAO) accountants who are also members of the Institute.

Spiteri Bailey commented that the Malta Institute of Accountants represents the profession both in the private sector as well as in the public sector. "An important section of MIA members renders vital public service and the Institute is proud of the high standards and respectability with which these professionals carry out their duties."

Spiteri Bailey and Cauchi Delia took the opportunity to speak to the NAO accountants. The MIA delegation stressed that financial accountants and auditors in the public sector have a significant contribution to make, as well as great responsibility to carry. Spiteri Bailey insisted on the importance that the accountants in the public sector should take part in the Institute's activities including participation in the Public Sector Committee. The latter, which is currently working on the IPSAS standards, is there to enhance and assist work within the public sector.

The MIA officials discussed matters of reciprocal concern with the NAO, including their complementary roles in ensuring the highest levels of professionalism and the implications of accrual accounting for the public sector.

As part of the series of meetings with accounting professionals, the president of the Institute visited the PwC Malta offices in Qormi. Spiteri Bailey was shown round the offices by the managing partner David Valencia and then attended three consecutive meetings. The president met with the partners for a discussion about the profession and the Institute. Subsequently met with managers and supervisors of the firm, also members of the Institute and followed with the younger employees of the firm.

In both sessions, the president gave an overview of how the Institute and its sub committees operate, which was followed with an engaging Q&A session. The president said that for the Institute to be truly representative of its members, it is interacting on a more personal level with them. While asking them to contribute more towards the Institute, he urged all those present to continue to raise the bar and add value to the profession.

The president also met with MIA members at Alter Domus in a visit to the firm's offices in Mrieħel. The managing partner, Chris Casapinta held discussions with Spiteri Bailey about the profession and the Institute. Meetings were later held with the management and employees of the firm. In both meetings, Spiteri Bailey gave an overview of how the Institute operates and what sub committees it has and discussed with them how they can contribute more to the profession and the Institute. Spiteri Bailey told those present that the values of ethics, integrity, diligence and professionalism are not only important to the Institute and its members but must be the backbone of each professional accountant as it affects the entire profession and the country's economy.

Spiteri Bailey said that similar visits will continue during the months to come as they help the Malta Institute of Accountants to continue to strengthen its role as representative of the accounting profession in Malta.

The MIA is committed to the highest standards within the profession as it actively leads, trains, supports and promotes its members.