Doha, 7 January 2013 - Qatar Finance and Business Academy (QFBA) has signed an exclusive partnership with KPMG, a big 4 accounting firm providing audit, tax and advisory services to provide International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) training programmes in Qatar.

As part of this alliance, experienced KPMG professionals will help to equip the trainees with the most up to date understanding of IFRS. One of the initial programmes will prepare participants for the Diploma in IFRS (DipIFR) exams of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). An IFRS Advanced Banking Course is also expected to be launched early next year as one of series of initiatives. IFRS courses would be tailored to the requirements of the industry and corporates

IFRS is fast becoming the benchmark for the accounting world. Programme participants will reap the benefits of learning from industry professionals who have global exposure to IFRS.

Initially, the courses will focus on Qatar. However, in the near future, the courses will be open to regional and international participants.

Earlier this year, as part of the Qatar Banking Summit 2012, QFBA and KPMG organised a workshop for finance professionals from the Qatari Banking sector. At the same summit, QFBA discussed its plans to launch an IFRS training initiative targeting finance professionals in the banking sector.

This recent signing comes days after QFBA, an all-encompassing training provider, certificate regime developer and examination administrator, launched its 2013 Program. 

Dr Abdulaziz Al Horr, CEO of QFBA, said: "The Qatar Finance & Business Academy's prime objective remains supporting the growth of Qatar's leading financial services centre through learning and development. This is part of the wider strategy of helping to diversify Qatar's economy and create a world-class knowledge based economy. The partnership with KPMG is the most recent of the programmes and services offered by QFBA which contribute towards the achievement of this goal."

Gopal Balasubramanian, Partner KPMG said:  "IFRS is becoming the reporting standard globally in a changing environment. Our alliance with the QFBA would equip professionals to be prepared for the developments and understand the impact of changes. We are delighted to partner with QFBA, a premier organisation dedicated to learning and development and for offering unique training solutions to various business segments in Qatar."

QFBA is a set up by QFC Authority with the intention to create a Qatar-based learning and development organization for delivering pragmatic and innovative financial services education. Our learning benefits entry-level to senior executive professionals in essential financial disciplines within the sectors of banking, asset management, capital markets and insurance.

KPMG

KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services.  We operate in 152 countries and have 145,000 people working in member firms around the world.  The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity.  Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. www.kpmg.com.qa

For further information please contact the following:
Agency Contact
Hassan Akasheh
Telephone: +974 4436 5028
Mobile: +974 5555 7509
Email: Hassan.akasheh@promoseven.com  
 
Qatar Finance and Business Academy (QFBA) Contact
Dania Pharaon
Telephone: +974 4496 8268
Mobile: +974 5509 3520
Email: d.pharaon@qfba.edu.qa    

© Press Release 2013