The Tribune

More than 50 accounting firms from around the Americas will gather at Atlantis today when UHY Bain & Associates hosts a major conference for the chain’s regional and European firms.

K Peter Turnquest, deputy prime minister, will officially open a three-day conference that is being held under the theme, How to build a world class organisation. He is expected to address the realities of the global financial climate. The conference will include delegates from South and Central America, the Caribbean, Canada, the US, Geneva and the UK.

“This is the first time that a small country like The Bahamas has had the honour of hosting the UHY annual conference for the Americas,” said Dr John Bain, pictured, managing partner of host firm, UHY Bain & Associates. “It is a tribute to The Bahamas, symbolising the relevance of – and acknowledging this historical respect for – the jurisdiction in the wider world of financial services.

“The group is thrilled that the deputy prime minister, who also happens to be a CPA, will bring remarks that will no doubt outlay a welcome from the Government of The Bahamas and comment on the timeliness of the conference and the choice of The Bahamas as a meeting place.”

The conference will be addressed by Rhys Madoc, UHY’s chief executive from the UK office. Mr Bain added: “In addition to working sessions, we wanted to seize this opportunity to showcase The Bahamas so delegates will travel from Paradise Island to the western end of New Providence with a lively historic tour among other activities and social events.

“While we are enjoying planning the lighter side, conferences like those hosted by UHY affiliates are increasingly significant in an era when there is so much vulnerability in an electronically dominated world, where we are all guarding against risks that can impact businesses, cities, utilities, corporations and individuals.

“The need for serious attention to an increasingly digitised Bahamas business ecosystem, and ubiquitous computerised systems, has never been greater. Professional and networked associations like UHY provide business solutions, expertise and connections that would be more difficult for individual offices practicing in the consulting industry.”

London-based UHY is a network of independent accounting and consulting firms with offices in over 300 major business centres across 100 countries. UHY Group offers services that include accounting and auditing, tax compliance and advice, corporate recovery, liquidations and receiverships, bankruptcy and restructuring, forensic accounting and data-analytic services.