Accountants earn awards ahead of World Accounting Day

Candice Czeremuszkin’s passion for accounting started at home.

Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, Czeremuszkin, Managing Partner at Moore Professional Services, saw firsthand how her father’s financial expertise transformed not just their family’s finances but the lives of others in their community as well.

“My dad used his knowledge of accounting to help not only us, but also those within our family who did not have the means to go on to college or university to start their own businesses and manage their personal finances," Czeremuszkin said, adding her father’s ability to turn financial know-how into real-world change shaped her approach to the profession.

In the Cayman Islands — where firms like Deloitte, Crowe Cayman, EY, Grant Thornton, Moore and PwC call Camana Bay home — accountants are the bedrock of the financial services sector. Two of those Camana Bay-based accountants recently earned major awards from the Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants as Czeremuszkin was named CIIPA's 2024 Outstanding Member and PwC Chief of Staff Suzanne Scott was named CIIPA's 2024 Rising Star. They earned the awards ahead of International Accounting Day, which is celebrated on Sunday, 10 Nov., and aims to acknowledge the work of accountants in supporting businesses and the economy.

“It is a day where I reflect on the impact that the profession had on my family,” Czeremuszkin said.

Scott began with PwC as a scholarship recipient before completing her CPA qualification and ultimately joining the firm as an associate. More than a decade later, she now serves as Regional Chief of Staff on the company's Tax and Legal Services team.

“It really is an honour to get that kind of recognition from your peers," Scott said. "For me, the most rewarding part of the experience is being able to share my story, that hard work and perseverance always pays off, no matter where you come from in the world.

Celebrating International Accounting Day
The awards come at a time when the accounting profession take centre stage globally with International Accounting Day. For Czeremuszkin, it’s a day to reflect on the crucial role accountants play — often behind the scenes — in keeping businesses running smoothly and ensuring financial stability.

“I think as a profession we are quite underrated, and it really is a day to take stock of the magnitude of what we bring to the table,” said Czeremuszkin. “Accountancy is vital to every business out there and plays a strategic role in whether those businesses succeed or fail.”

As the jurisdiction’s financial services sector has expanded, so too has the demand for top-tier accounting firms, which play a pivotal role in ensuring regulatory compliance, financial reporting and corporate governance across various industries.

"International Accounting Day is a day to celebrate accountants and the good they provide to society," Scott said. "While accountants may not always be considered in the same manner that teachers or doctors are, accountants still provide a critical service to society by making sense of organizations’ finances and protecting the capital markets more broadly."

Cayman's regulatory environment, known for its robust yet business-friendly legal framework, attracts companies and investors from all over the world. Accountants in Cayman play an essential role in maintaining the territory’s reputation as a safe, reliable and well-regulated jurisdiction. With international reporting standards and financial regulations constantly evolving, the demand for skilled accounting professionals continues to grow, ensuring that the accounting sector remains a cornerstone of the Cayman economy for years to come.

This article was originally published in the November 2024 print edition of Camana Bay Times.