MAZ's 1st Annual Seminar gives voice to accountancy and finance professionals regionally

Intends to become annual de facto platform for industry to network and tackle emergent market threats and opportunities

Dubai, 10 December 2014:“Mashal Al Zarooni Chartered Accountants” (MAZ) 1st Annual Seminar was held under the title “MAZ – Go Business”, onWednesday 10 December 2014, at the Millennium Plaza Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, drawing an audience of high powered experts in audit, technology, finance, IT, Risk Management and related industries.

The 1st Annual Seminar was the inaugural edition of a platform that lends voice to professionals in finance and accountancy, and delivers opportunities to network and share ideas. It created common ground for industry professionals to develop contacts, widen their networks,gain market intelligenceand keep apace with a dynamic field presenting constantly changing circumstances.

As the region’s leading audit, taxation, financial and management consultancy, MAZ believes that the Annual Seminar will become a yearly traditionthat gathersthe thought leaders and experts to create a space for sharing ideas on new developments and industry trends.

“As accounting and financial considerations move to a seat at the strategic table in organisations across the region, the need for a representative platform to discuss concerns and learn from best practice has been keenly felt. The MAZ’s 1st Annual Seminar wanted to reach across geographic and organisational boundaries to offer a representative voice to the region’s finance and accountancy platforms, and also a place to network. We wanted to create a business platform where new business links and knowledge are created. The industry needs this, and we’ve delivered,” said AtifIftikhar, Director Operations, MAZ.

The networking element was bolstered by a knowledge-packed schedule of talks, discussions and seminar topics. Key industry issues such as modern cyber threats, good governance and IT audits hold centre stage, equipping professionals in the field with the ideas and insight to deliver tangible results.

MAZ’s Director Operations opened the event with a welcome address highlightingMAZ’s history, performance and future plans while also underlining the aim of the MAZ Annual Seminar.

ISACA UAE Chapter’s President Dr. AlokTutejadelivered a heavy hitting talk on the technological innovations that are creating a new threat and opportunity landscape for business. Service delivery and innovation has improved, but cases of fraud have also become cleverer and more complex. Dr. Tutejaconcluded his talk by offering a case study on IT enterprise governance and an effective anti-fraud programme.
MAZ’s Audit Manager Tahir Khan added his voice to the discussion by emphasising the importance of internal controls, and their positive correlation with organisational performance. Mazrui Holdings’ Corporate Financial Policies and Procedural Analyst AsifHussainengaged in a discussion on effective risk management and its practical implementation within the organisational milieu.
“The aim of the Seminar was to highlight industrial shifts and powerful new trends to create knowledge that helps professionals perform their jobs better. The agenda dovetails withMAZ’s commitment to deliver quality services on time, and provide value to its clients through its core business lines in audit, taxation, and financial and management consultancy,”Iftikhar added.

MAZis an independent Member of International Accounting & Audit Network (i2an), which is an international alliance of independent accounting firms. It is also a proud member of The German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce (AHK),which is the first bilateral federal business organization in the Gulf.