ICPAR Recognises 15 Organisations and Accountants for Excellence in Financial Reporting

The awards, known as the Financial Reporting Excellence Awards (FREA) 2026, were presented for the fourth time during a ceremony held in Kigali on September 25, 2026.

Organisations seeking to compete for the awards are required to submit their applications along with their financial reports. An independent judging panel appointed by ICPAR then evaluates the reports and awards scores based on established criteria.

ICPAR Chief Executive Officer Amin Miramago said the awards are intended to encourage organisations to improve the quality of their financial reporting and promote transparency.

ICPAR Chief Executive Officer Amin Miramago

“The most important question is not just who wins. The important question is: what can we do differently from what we have been doing so far in the future? Ladies and gentlemen, an occasion like this is possible because many people have invested their time, expertise and resources. Tonight, we recognise those who have performed exceptionally well, but tomorrow the work continues. Therefore, our responsibility is to promote a culture of transparency, make accountability part of our culture, make sustainability one of our values, and ensure that quality financial reporting remains the foundation of trust and sound financial management,” Miramago said.

Opening the awards ceremony, ICPAR President Obadiah Biraro reminded participants of the importance of embracing a culture of sustainability.

ICPAR President Obadiah Biraro

“More importantly, we need to focus on sustainability. Those who have worked with me in government institutions and public accounting entities know that there is a culture of accountability. Why do we have to sign accountability documents every year? The final chapter, which may be the sixth, focuses on sustainable development, and I would like everyone to embrace it as their own,” Biraro said.

He added: “That is why we said, let us establish a competition. I hope we have used the right word for those who have managed to prepare quality financial reports.”

ICPAR provides training aimed at strengthening the skills and capacity of accounting professionals. It also offers internationally recognised professional qualifications, including the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Accounting Technician (CAT).