ISIA President Challenges Congress on Theme “Beyond Qualifications: Building a Workforce that Thinks, Leads, and Creates”
ISIA President, Mr. Johnson Lobo, stressed that the theme for the ISIA Annual Congress 2026 is a challenge to all participants and to the accounting profession in Solomon Islands.
The third ISIA Annual Congress was hosted in Honiara from Thursday 17 September to Friday 18 September 2026, under the theme “Beyond Qualifications: Building a Workforce that Thinks, Leads, and Creates.”
The Congress is the flagship event of ISIA and provides an important platform for accounting professionals across all sectors to network with business and industry leaders, as well as Government, to discuss key matters affecting the profession and seek collaborative and sustainable solutions to strengthen the country’s financial management systems.
Mr. Lobo said the gathering was not simply about accounting, but about reflecting on the future of the profession, the future of the workforce and the future of the nation.
“This Congress comes at a critical time. Solomon Islands is changing. Our economy is changing. Technology is changing. And the expectations placed on our institutions are rising. Therefore, our profession must evolve,” Mr. Lobo said.
Thinking Beyond Qualifications
Mr. Lobo acknowledged the importance of professional qualifications, noting that they demonstrate knowledge, discipline and commitment and provide the foundation of a career. However, he emphasized that a qualification is the beginning of professional responsibility, not the end.
He said the profession needs professionals who understand not only what has happened, but why it happened, what it means, what could happen next and what should be done about it.
“We must move from reporting to advising, compliance to leadership, data to insight, and knowledge to action.”
He added that the accountant of tomorrow must be more than a custodian of numbers and must instead be a custodian of trust.
Mr. Lobo also highlighted the role of sound financial management and accountability in nation-building, noting that whether professionals serve in Government, the private sector, State-Owned Enterprises or private practice, they have a responsibility to Solomon Islands.
He stressed that every dollar must be managed responsibly, procurement decisions must withstand scrutiny, and public resources must be treated as a public trust.
On technology and artificial intelligence, Mr. Lobo said these tools may change how professionals work but should not change what they stand for.
“Technology may change how we work, but it must never change what we stand for.”
Leading with Character and Courage
The second element of the Congress theme focuses on leadership and the need for professionals who are prepared to lead based not on position or title, but on competence, character and courage.
Mr. Lobo said leadership means speaking up when others remain silent, asking difficult questions, protecting the public interest, accepting responsibility when things go wrong and sharing credit when things go right.
He challenged the profession to produce accountants who can confidently participate in decision-making, not merely to explain the numbers, but to help shape decisions that drive the nation forward.
Creating Opportunity and Innovation
Mr. Lobo also called on young professionals in Solomon Islands to create opportunities and embrace innovation.
He said the country needs individuals who do not only look for jobs, but who create opportunities, as well as innovators and problem-solvers who can help businesses grow, attract investment and manage risk.
“We need a workforce that asks, ‘What can I contribute?’ rather than ‘What can I receive?’”
He encouraged young accountants to look beyond their qualifications and develop their character, technology skills, communication, negotiation and problem-solving abilities.
“Your future is bigger than your first job.”
Mr. Lobo said the responsibility for developing the workforce Solomon Islands needs does not belong to educators, employers or professional bodies alone, but to everyone.
The Role of ISIA and the Road Ahead
Mr. Lobo highlighted that ISIA would need to evolve by strengthening professional development, promoting ethical leadership, embracing digital transformation and engaging deeply with Government and the private sector.
He said ISIA's ambition is to build an accounting profession respected not only for the qualifications its members hold, but also for the value they create and the integrity they demonstrate.
“We stand at a crossroad. We can continue doing things as they have always been done, or we can choose to lead. We can remain focused on compliance alone, or we can become strategic development partners.”
Accountants and finance professionals are increasingly expected to go beyond financial statements, compliance and reporting. They are expected to understand technology, interpret data, manage risk, support good governance, communicate with decision-makers and contribute to the strategic direction of their organizations.
This is reflected in the ISIA Annual Congress 2026 programme, which brings together discussions on economic development, public financial management, accounting standards, digital transformation, workforce capability, governance, financial reporting and transparency, sustainability and the future of the accounting profession.