AS THE VOICE OF THE ACCOUNTANCY PROFESSION IN MALTA, THE MIA IS COMMITTED TO ATTRACTING TALENTED INDIVIDUALS TO THE PROFESSION. IT THEREFORE IS A NATURAL EXTENSION OF THE DUTIES OF THE MIA TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH THEIR DISSERTATION. THIS COULD BE THROUGH SENDING OUT QUESTIONNAIRES OF STUDENTS TO MEMBERS, HELPING STUDENTS CONDUCT INTERVIEWS BY GETTING THEM IN CONTACT WITH THE PERSONS WHO POSSESS THE REQUIRED EXPERTISE, OR PROVIDING SUPPORT TO STUDENTS THROUGH THE VARIOUS CPE SESSIONS ORGANISED. IN ORDER TO GIVE READERS A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IS GOING ON TO SUPPORT SUCH STUDENTS, REBECCA ABDILLA KOIVISTO, MIA TECHNICAL OFFICER, GOT IN TOUCH WITH STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE MIA HAS HELPED THEM IN THEIR THESIS.

Shannon Muscat completed her degree in Master’s in Accounting from the University of Malta and Chantelle Ellul is performing her Masters in Business Administration at the University of Chester.

1. WHAT WAS YOUR THESIS ABOUT, AND COULD YOU TELL ME BRIEFLY

SOME OF THE RESULTS OF YOUR FINDINGS?

SHANNON;
My dissertation titled ‘Perceptions of the Unqualified Statutory Audit Report in Malta: A Study’ investigated the perceptions of three Maltese stakeholder groups: external auditors, financial advisers and bank lending officers, pertaining to the Communication and Information Aspects of the revised ISA 700 Unqualified Audit Report. The findings indicate that the most important section in the Unqualified Audit Report is the auditor’s opinion; it helps users determine the reliance that they can place on an entity’s financial statements. However, users proved sceptical on the clarity of the Unqualified Audit Report’s message and technical jargon. The Audit Report should be a valuable source of information which assists users in their interpretation of complex financial statements. Furthermore, auditors should seek to improve the way they communicate an audit’s conclusions to an entity’s stakeholders, bearing in mind the restrictions they may face from auditing standards.

CHANTELLE;
‘An evaluation of the internal audit quality assurance (IAQA) of the internal audit function of the Maltese iGaming companies’ - My thesis is about the quality assurance of an internal audit function of Maltese iGaming companies. An evaluation has been drawn between the internal audit function of iGaming companies and the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. I am still in the phase of collecting my survey responses, however from the responses received to date, it looks promising that Maltese iGaming companies are in conformity with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. This is because the majority of Maltese iGaming companies outsource and entrust their internal audit function to Maltese audit firms who are professionals within the sector. 

2. HOW DID THE MIA HELP YOU IN YOUR THESIS? AND HOW DO YOU THINK MIA CAN HELP STUDENTS MORE?

SHANNON;
Over the past summer I have started working as an auditor with an audit firm and I am currently striving to absorb as much knowledge as I can. My first year working in the field has been very rewarding and the learning experiences are infinite. I am very eager to continue this path and learn as much as I possibly can on the field for the next couple of years and see what happens then!

CHANTELLE;
I am a qualified accountant and an internal auditor by profession (for the past seven years) specialising in good corporate governance in the gaming industry. My study will help me in better understanding; the conformity and quality assurance that Maltese iGaming companies have, in analysing findings, issuing recommendations and identifying gaps and possibly closing them. The study may assist investors in making the right decision in choosing the country where they are to establish their business. Upon completing my thesis, I look forward to continuing excelling within this industry and to focusing on strategic management. In fact, my next aspiration is to take a PhD in Strategic Management with the University of New Castle.

THE MIA IS ALWAYS READY TO OFFER ITS FULL SUPPORT TO STUDENTS AND ENJOYS BUILDING UP RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE ACCOUNTANTS OF TOMORROW. IF STUDENTS REQUIRE THE SUPPORT OF THE MIA DURING THEIR STUDIES, THEY CAN SEND AN E-MAIL TO TECHNICAL@MIAMALTA.ORG.