The 8th Congress of the Orders of Chartered Accountants and Certified Accountants convened on October 21 and 22, 2026, in Cotonou. Accountants from across the UEMOA region gathered to address standards for financial governance and professional integrity. The event served as a critical platform for practitioners to deliberate on the evolving responsibilities of the accounting profession within the economic landscape of the member states.
Charles Kouphin, President of the congress scientific committee, stated: "La souveraineté financière de nos États ne se proclame pas seulement dans les traités internationaux ; elle s’écrit chaque jour dans la sincérité des livres comptables, la rigueur des audits et la transparence des états financiers."
Serge Mensah, President of the Council of the Order of Chartered Accountants and Certified Accountants of Benin (OECCA-Bénin), added: "Notre profession ne doit donc pas seulement accompagner les transformations, elle doit sécuriser et orienter l’intérêt public."
Celebrating Two Decades of Progress
OECCA-Bénin marked its twentieth anniversary during the 8th Congress of the Orders of Chartered Accountants and Certified Accountants in Cotonou. This milestone coincided with the conclusion of the event, which brought together regional accounting professionals to evaluate the trajectory of the profession since the organization's inception. The anniversary celebration noted the historical development of the order and its role in fostering professional standards within Benin and the broader UEMOA region.
Delegates finalized the Declaration of Cotonou as part of the proceedings. The document establishes formal provisions for digital transformation, improved quality control, and cooperation between regional professional orders. These measures aim to standardize practices across UEMOA member states to ensure that auditors and accountants operate under consistent regulatory expectations. By prioritizing these areas, the declaration establishes a framework intended to modernize regional accounting standards. The inclusion of digital transformation as a key provision reflects the necessity for accountants to adapt to new technological tools, while the emphasis on quality control and cooperation seeks to harmonize the oversight mechanisms utilized by the various professional orders represented at the congress.
Seven specific commitments form the core of the declaration. These objectives focus on the reliability of financial accounts, the enforcement of professional ethics, and the fight against illicit financial flows. Each commitment requires practitioners to adhere to updated compliance standards designed to increase the accuracy of financial reporting. The signatories intend for these seven points to serve as a baseline for future professional conduct within the region. By formalizing these commitments, the accountants aim to bolster the credibility of financial statements and strengthen the overall integrity of the financial systems they monitor. The focus on illicit financial flows represents a proactive stance by the profession to contribute to regional stability and transparency, ensuring that all practitioners are aligned with the rigorous expectations set forth by the governing bodies during the congress.
