"Having my ACCA qualification in my CV gives it “stilts” making me stand out in a crowd!  I get the interview and combined with my extensive training, experience, knowledge and winning personality I usually get the contract!"

Ursula started her academic career in Biochemistry as her passion for Science won the first degree debate! She obtained a BSc from King’s College University of London, after which she started the ACCA qualification during full-time employment and completed and qualified in 1999. 

She currently works for the Canadian owned company Hatch Associates International Ltd., in the fast-growing Off-shore sector of Barbados, but her career has spanned strategic and financial control in many sectors: Aviation (moving day old chicks from Belgium to Ghana), Manufacturing (Radiation detectors for nuclear submarines), Telecommunications (connecting financial stock traders in the UK to the USA), Pharmaceuticals (manufacturing AIDS medication, toothpaste and herpes treatments) and the Biotechnology sector (production medical test kits for testing a variety of biological microbes).  Ursula enjoys the fact that being an accountant has allowed her to traverse many business sectors.  She stays sane practising and teaching Ashtanga & Hatha yoga.

"The scope and depth of the syllabus provided me with a firm and lasting foundation in business management, accounting and finance. The knowledge, skills and tools acquired have enabled and empowered me to operate a successful practice over the years."

Vintoria  is  the Managing Partner of Vintoria Bernard  Chartered Accountants. In practice since 1991, she has a wealth of experience in general management and internal and external auditing. Ms Bernard worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers for eight years and later widened her range of skills by stints in statutory organisations and the manufacturing and distribution sectors.  A former president of ICAJ (the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica) Vintoria is a graduate of the University of the West Indies where she completed a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Management Studies and is an Associate Member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

"‘Through its open door policy and the flexibility it offers, ACCA is in large part the reason I became a Chartered Accountant.  In addition to providing me with a solid foundation on which to build my professional career, ACCA has made me globally marketable."

Alok is a partner in PwC Jamaica and leads the firm’s audit practice. He is a Chartered Accountant and a U.S. Certified Public Accountant. He has been with the firm for 16 years and has over 20 years experience in public accountancy. He is PwC Jamaica’s partner responsible for International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) services and also serves as Chairman of the Accounting Standards Committee and member of Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ).

"As an FCCA in private practice I work with clients from all over the world in all kinds of industries, my qualification has basically presented the world as my oyster. I cannot think of a better qualification to prepare me for the work I do and enjoy."

Philip is a Barbadian. After studying chemistry at university, he joined one of the big four audit firms where he articled for several years before moving to the private sector. Over the next several years he held senior financial positions before moving into general management. His corporate experience has been both local and regional, large and small as well as long established and startup. Philip holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the West Indies, is a chartered certified accountant (FCCA) and a chartered accountant (FCA Barbados). He has trained as a Novel Administrator (CNA), holds a Diploma in International Financial Reporting (Dip IFR) and is currently in the last stage of the Certified Internal Audit program.  

"I became an ACCA member in January 1991 and a Fellow in 1996.  In 1992, I changed jobs and one of the requirements of the new job was being ACCA qualified. As an ACCA member I not only earned the respect of my peers in other professions but was also able to advance in my career.  I continue to be a proud member.  I am in demand, I’m ACCA."

After graduating high school Colleen Licorish joined an insurance brokerage firm in Port of Spain, where she spent 17 years, moving from various clerical positions to the position of Accounts Supervisor and finally Accountant, where she was responsible for all the accounting functions in the organization. While there, she commenced her studies for the ACCA qualifications, which she completed in 1990. She became a member in January 1991 and a Fellow in January 1996.

In 1992, she joined the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission, where she held positions of Accountant, Senior Accountant, Chief Accountant and Assistant General Manager – Finance, a post she holds to date. As Assistant General Manager – Finance, she has ultimate responsibility for all accounting and finance-related functions, including financial reporting, pensions administration, risk management and insurance, financial planning, financial projects and payroll.