Puerto Rico CPAs celebrate Convention at the
XXIX Inter-American Accounting Conference

The Puerto Rico Society of CPAs Convention this year was part of the XXIX  Inter American Accounting Conference (CIC for its Spanish acronym)  held in San Juan from August 30 to September 3, 2011 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center. Visitors from 21 countries, members of the Inter American Accounting Association, (AIC) were hosted by the PR Society of CPAs in this accounting summit to discuss the latest trends and regulations of the accounting profession.

The CIC program included four master conferences with keynote speakers from international organizations, such as economist José Juan Ruiz from Santander SA, Amaro Gomes, from Brazil, board member of the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB), Prof. Arnold Schilder from the IAASB Division of the International Federation of Accountants, and Economist Pablo Breard from Scotiabank Latinamerica. Local speakers included, Hon. Jesús Méndez, PR Secretary of the Treasury, who represented Governor Fortuño at the Innauguration ceremony, San Juan Mayor, Hon. Jorge Santini at the Closing ceremony and PR Tourism Company Director , Mario González La Fuente.

With the slogan, “Contadores Sin Fronteras: Unificando la Profesión” the CIC main theme was the status of the worldwide implementation of the International Financial Reporting Standards. A total of 40 papers written by members of the AIC from different countries were discussed in four professional education sessions. The papers’ themes included eight Inter-American technical areas such as Auditing, Taxes, Investigative Accounting, Education, Ethics, Small Business, Information Technology, and Administration and Finance.

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The night entertainment featured an Inter-American Fiesta on Tuesday, August 30, with El Gran Combo de PR, several visitors’ artistic presentations and a concert form the Puerto Rico CPAs group of singers and musicians. This show included a folckloric dance show. On Thursday night the group enjoyed an elegant Gala Dinner and Dance sponsored by the PR Tourism Co. in beautifully decorated room with singer Gilberto Santa Rosa show and the Concerto 7 orchestra as entertainment.

The Puerto Rico Society of CPAs (Colegio de CPA de PR) Convention activities were held on Friday and Saturday, (September 2 – 3) and included the traditional Taxes and Auditing update seminars, an Economic Forum with distinguished guests speakers and other workshops. Also on Friday the Distinguished CPA Awards Luncheon was held at the Convention Center Ballroom. Honors were given to the following CPAs: Juan Pablo Navarro in Education, Carmen Laura Marrero in Industry and Commerce; Antonio Bauzá in Service to “Colegiados”; Julio Galíndez in Service to the Profession; Gilberto Del Valle in Service to the Colegio; Lizzette Lacomba in Service to the Community; Ileana González in Banking Industry and a Special President award to Tomás Ramos (Red Shadow).

Saturday activities included the CPAs General Assembly at the Sheraton CC Hotel, a luncheon buffet at the pool area and the Presidents Gala Night where incoming president, CPA Denisse Flores, took oath as president of the Society and presented the new CCPA Board of Directors for 2011-2012.