President of the Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants (ISIA), Mr. Johnson Lobo stressed that the theme for the ISIA Annual Congress 2026 is a challenge to all participants and the accounting profession in Solomon Islands.
The third ISIA Annual Congress is hosted in Honiara from Thursday 17 September to Friday 18 September 2026 with the theme: “Beyond Qualifications: Building a Workforce that Thinks, Leads, and Creates.”
The congress is the flagship event of ISIA and is very important for accounting professionals in all sectors. It is a platform where the accounting profession meets and networks with business and industry leaders as well as the Government to hold conversations on key matters affecting the profession and seek collaborative and sustainable solutions to strengthen the country’s financial management systems.
Mr. Lobo said the gathering is not simply to talk about accounting, but to reflect on the future of the profession, the future of the workforce, and the future of our 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 qualification
For many years, we have rightly celebrated professional qualifications. A qualification demonstrates knowledge, discipline, and commitment and it provides the foundation of a career.
But a qualification is the beginning of professional responsibility, not the end.
ISIA President, Mr. Lobo said the world no longer needs accountants who simply record what has happened.
“We need professionals who understand why it happened, what it means, what could happen next, and what to do about it.
“We must move from reporting to advising, compliance to leadership, data to insight, and knowledge to action.
“The accountant of tomorrow must be more than a custodian of numbers, we must be custodians of trust,” he said.
ISIA President, Mr. Johnson Lobo speaking during the two-day ISIA Annual Congress 2026.
When we speak of nation-building, we often think of roads, bridges, ports, and schools. But behind every successful development project, every budget, and every major investment is something less visible: sound financial management and a system of accountability.
Mr. Lobo continued: “Whether we serve in Government, the private sector, State-Owned Enterprises, or private practice, we have a duty that goes beyond our immediate employers: we have a responsibility to Solomon Islands. Every dollar must be managed responsibly. Every procurement decision must withstand scrutiny. Every public resource must be treated as a public trust.
“Technology and artificial intelligence can process millions of transactions in seconds. But technology cannot replace professional judgement grounded in integrity. It cannot replace moral responsibility, courage, or our duty to tell the truth. Technology may change how we work, but it must never change what we stand for,” he said.
Leading with Character and Courage
The second call on this year’s theme is leadership, emphasizing on the need for professionals in the Solomon Islands who are prepared to lead, not based on position or title, but based on competence, character, and courage.
“Leadership means speaking up when others remain silent. It means asking uncomfortable questions, protecting the public interest when it is difficult, accepting responsibility when things go wrong, and sharing credit when things go right.
“We must produce accountants who sit confidently at the decision-making table, not merely to explain the numbers, but to help shape the decisions that drive our nation forward,” ISIA President, Mr. Lobo, said.
Creating opportunity and innovation
ISIA also calls on young professionals in Solomon Islands to create opportunities and be innovative.
Mr. Lobo said the country’s economy needs individuals who do not only look for jobs, but who create opportunities.
“We need 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?”
“To our young accountants: your future is bigger than your first job. Do not define yourself solely by your certificates. Build your character, your tech skills, your communication, and your ability to negotiate and solve problems. You will inherit the institutions and economy we are shaping today. We must prepare you not merely to occupy positions, but to transform them,” he said.
The ISIA President added: “The responsibility of developing the workforce that Solomon Islands needs does not belong to educators alone. It does not belong to employers alone. It does not belong to professional bodies alone. It belongs to all of us.”
The role of ISIA and the road ahead
Mr. Lobo highlighted that ISIA will need to evolve and strengthen professional development, promote ethical leadership, embrace digital transformation, and engage deeply with Government and the private sector.
“Our ambition is clear: an accounting profession respected not just for the qualifications we hold, but for the value we create and the integrity we 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,” he said.
Accountants and finance professionals are no longer operating only in the world of financial statements, compliance and reporting. Accountants are increasingly expected to understand technology, interpret data, manage risk, support good governance, communicate with decision-makers and contribute to the strategic direction of their organizations.
That is reflected in the programme for the Annual Congress 2026 which brings together discussions around economic development, public financial management, accounting standards, digital transformation, workforce capability, governance, financial reporting and transparency, sustainability and the future of the accounting profession.
The Congress also featured perspectives from regional professional and standards-setting organizations, including the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB), Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) and other regional Professional Accounting Organisations.
