The Malta Institute of Accountants (MIA) has welcomed 163 new members, who recently completed their qualifications with ACCA and the University of Malta. Their achievement was celebrated during a ceremony held at the Hilton Malta, providing a fitting occasion to honour the newest professionals joining the accountancy community.
In her address, MIA Chief Executive Officer Ms Maria Cauchi Delia reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to education and lifelong learning, preparing professionals to thrive in an era shaped by digital transformation and artificial intelligence. “AI brings both challenges and opportunities, it is transforming every sector and reminding us of the need to continuously reskill,” she said. She added that accountancy remains a stable and rewarding career, offering real potential for growth and impact. “Accountants are value creators. Clients and organisations rely on us to help them move forward,” she noted, highlighting the Institute’s ongoing collaboration with regulators to strengthen the profession’s appeal.
MIA President Dr Jonathan Dingli congratulated the new members on reaching this important milestone and emphasised the importance of integrity and professionalism. He noted that accountants play a vital role in building trust and transparency across the economy. “Your work extends beyond numbers, it is about safeguarding confidence in business and public institutions alike,” he said.
In addition to the traditional presentation of certificates, the ceremony also recognised the achievements of the top-performing ACCA affiliates and the top University of Malta accountancy graduate. The awards were presented in the presence of Ms Melanie Proffitt, ACCA Deputy President, and Dr Marie Louise Mangion, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy at the University of Malta.
This year’s award recipients were Biagio Roca (1st in Malta Overall Performance, September 2024 ACCA Top Affiliate), Maya Xuereb (1st in Malta Overall Performance December 2024 1st in Malta Overall Performance), Lara Cocks (1st in Malta Overall Performance March 2025 1st in Malta Overall Performance), Kirsty Muscat (1st in Malta Overall Performance June 2025 1st in Malta Overall Performance), and Emily Raggio (Best University of Malta Accountancy Student 2025).
In her remarks, Ms Proffitt reflected on how the definition of success in business is evolving. “Investors and consumers today increasingly judge the value of organisations by their impact on people and the planet, not just their financial performance,” she said. She encouraged new accountants to embrace this broader purpose. “As professionals, you have the opportunity to shape a more responsible and sustainable economy, one that measures progress not only by profit, but by the positive difference it makes in society.”
Dr Marie Louise Mangion, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy at the University of Malta, speaking on behalf of Professor Simon Grima, stressed the importance of upholding the highest ethical and professional standards. “When faced with pressure to compromise, integrity must prevail. Professionalism should guide every aspect of our work to ensure that both private and public institutions operate as they should, because that is how we build a better society,” she said.
The New Members Ceremony also served as the backdrop to celebrate the winners of the Kevin Mahoney Award for exceptional voluntary work and sense of altruism. This year’s award recipients, Ms Rachel Lee Curmi and Ms Ingrid Sammut, embody compassion and courage, and serve as a voice of encouragement and resilience for others.
