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The Association of Ethiopian Accountants and Auditors has replaced its board members whose term had expired, citing serious complaints that they "did not perform their duties properly, failed to comply with the law, did not submit audit reports for years, and could not hold the general assembly on time."

The former board members have apologized for "not performing their duties properly and failing to submit reports."

The Association, which has over 600 active institutional members, held its general assembly and 50th founding anniversary on Tir 9, 2018 E.C. (Gregorian: ~January 17, 2026) at the Addis Ababa University Business and Economics Faculty Auditorium.

The Association's President and board members, who had taken the stage to present completed tasks and the annual report, were found to have failed to prepare and present a properly organized report.

Following this, a participant named Mr. Tayé Kebe, who stated he had been a member for about 41 years, recalled that the profession was respected but added, "However, we have degraded it; we have plundered it."

While one might assume no one is allowed to bypass governance rules, no one is actually enforcing them, he stated. To illustrate, he mentioned that the rule stating the fiscal year ends on Sene 30 and that a meeting should be called 90 days prior means the board has no right to call a meeting after Meskerem 25.

Mr. Tayé further added that the Association is a self-destructive institution and criticized the outgoing board, saying, "Now that your term is over, you don't have the responsibility to do this."

Mr. Tayé also pointed out that the Association of Ethiopian Accountants and Auditors does not call its members to a general assembly, and when it does, it's not transparent; it doesn't send formal letters or publish announcements in newspapers.

The former Association President, Mr. Yohannes Negatu, did not allow Mr. Tayé to finish expressing his opinions and criticisms. Mr. Yohannes stated, "It is not appropriate for us to be insulted or accused because I was not given a mandate; we work voluntarily, not for payment."

He said the mistakes that occurred were not solely our fault but resulted from our shared shortcomings.

He added that the reason they failed to hold the general assembly on time was because, despite repeated calls, enough members did not show up to form a quorum.

Mr. Yohannes also indicated that some of the criticisms were personalized.

Another participant, a member who requested anonymity, informed the assembly that the board, over the past four years, neither properly presented reports nor had a known plan.

The member further stated that there is a high level of factionalism within the Association and that operations are based on familiarity.

Mr. Birhanu Shefine, newly elected to the President's position, on his part, explained that one of the problems that weakened the institution was that board members served on a voluntary or goodwill basis.

Mr. Birhanu, who said "Where there is work, there will always be mistakes," added that the problem arises when trying to cover up mistakes; correcting mistakes is appropriate.

Mr. Birhanu stated that there are not only weaknesses but also strengths, clarifying that this doesn't mean everything done was correct; therefore, mistakes must be corrected.

Another board member, Mr. Omer, for his part, mentioned the many tasks the Association has accomplished and pleaded for forgiveness, saying, "We apologize for not being able to organize and present our work."

Mr. Omer said, "We did not do what was expected of us," and added, "Even what was done, I regret that it was not presented properly."

Mr. Omer clarified, "We were not connecting and communicating; we have learned from this."

Another board member, Mr. Yirgu Tamire, pointed out that the Association has not performed to its age's potential. However, he noted, there was no body telling us 'plan this, do that'; also, the members' interests are very diverse.

The board member, who stated that "the profession itself was undergoing its own exam over the past two years," said that for this reason, they were unable to hold the general assembly on time.

Furthermore, he added, the Association's members were called twice but did not show up. "Now, we called them saying we would hold the assembly and provide a certificate," said Mr. Yirgu Tamire.

The Association of Ethiopian Accountants and Auditors, which held its general assembly on Tir 9, 2018 E.C., concluded by electing seven new board members and raising the annual membership fee from 1500 Birr to 5,000 Birr.

As Yared wishes.