The Malta Institute of Accountants has organised an exclusive event to celebrate the Institute’s history. Among those invited for this event were Former MIA Presidents, current Council Members and the Institute’s staff. The scope of this ceremony was to give special recognition to most respected Past Presidents of the Malta Institute of Accountants, without whom the Institute would not be what it is today. A total of 19 presidents were elected as Fellow Honorary Members of the Institute in recognition of their valuable contribution towards the Institute and the profession during their respective terms.

The MIA President, Franco Azzopardi delivered a short welcome speech highlighting the major milestones of the Institute and the Presidents behind them. A tribute was given to past Presidents who have since passed away. The trip down memory lane has been documented in a book covering the history of the Institute since it was formed 52 years ago. The book commissioned to commemorate the Institute’s 50th Anniversary is expected to be published in the coming months.

Franco Azzopardi continued by saying: “I urge all members of the profession to follow your example in upholding the highest standards for which you have always striven. That is where the challenge lies. We should never trade our values, professional scepticism and ethical behaviour for anything. We don’t need to. By maintaining our integrity we can achieve our professional and financial goals and enjoy the satisfaction of having made it by following the path of rectitude. We are accountants and we will walk tall as accountants and be seen the way we deserve to be seen - as professionals who transmit confidence to investors and the society, with the highest reputation possible. Nothing less!”

Franco made reference to the controversial media reporting saga concerning our profession. “The word Accountant has been badly abused with negative adjectives. I feel a strong sense of responsibility and obligation to act with speed and thrust to defend our name. I pledge my energy to defend the Institute, your institute, my institute, against all this negativity, to restore our reputation to where it belongs. We shall act in the best interest of the members, the Institute and the Profession.” Making reference to the reported alleged misconduct of a couple of members,

Franco Azzopardi added that "the Institute has set in motion its Disciplinary Procedures and sent notice to all its members of an Extraordinary General Meeting for the purpose."