Paul B. Kazarian granted special editors' award of global accountancy magazines for his contribution to strengthening democracy through government financial management

LONDON, Sept. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- http://www.theaccountant-online.com/event/international-accounting-bulletin-forum-awards-2016/awards/

Investor and philanthropist Paul B. Kazarian will receive a special editors' award from The Accountant and International Accounting Bulletin during the course of a one-day conference and awards dinner in London on 6 October.

Kazarian is the CEO and founder of Japonica Partners, an entrepreneurial investment firm, and the Charles & Agnes Kazarian Foundation.  Before that he served as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs & Co.

Kazarian has been actively involved in the promotion of transparency within government finances, becoming one of the most prominent advocates of the international benchmark IPSAS or International Public Sector Accounting Standards.

In the context of Greece's successive bailouts, a country of which Kazarian is one of the largest government bond holders, he has led the debate on transparency and sound public finance management, notably stimulating intellectual discussions compiled in the campaign website Most Important Reform.

As part of the conference Kazarian will also deliver a presentation on the latest developments of his research and activism in transparency and accountability of governments.

Later Kazarian will be honoured with The William Pitt the Younger Award for Extraordinary Leadership in Strengthening Democracy through Government Financial Management.

This special award recognizes the work of an individual who has contributed to democracy by winning the trust and confidence of taxpayers through advancing transparency and accountability of government financial reporting and improving government financial performance.

Carlos Martin Tornero, editor of The Accountant said: "Kazarian's work is breaking the shameful silence imposed by short-sighted and self-serving politicians, regulators and other stakeholders of the global financial industry. His quest for transparency and accountability should be commended and celebrated."    

Vincent Huck, editor of International Accounting Bulletin, said: "It is an extraordinary challenge that Kazarian is putting to the profession: to dig into its skill and knowhow in order to stand up for transparency in the public interest – a mantra not too far from accountants' intrinsic role, but too often forgotten. So far the profession is coy to rise to the challenge beyond words but talk is cheap!"

Paul Kazarian said: "I am humbled and honoured to receive The William Pitt the Younger Award for extraordinary leadership in strengthening democracy through government financial management.   If western democracy is going to survive populist assaults, governments must regain the trust and confidence of voters with better financial transparency, performance, and accountability.   Governments must accept the responsibility to educate current and prospective voters on the importance of internationally comparable government financial statements, especially the impact of government's decisions on the government's balance sheet."

Notes to editors

About Paul B. Kazarian and Japonica Partners:  Paul B. Kazarian is Chairman and CEO of Japonica Partners and the Charles & Agnes Kazarian Foundation.  Japonica Partners, founded in 1988 by Mr. Kazarian, is a private global turnaround investor and manager, whose investment situations include underperforming large cap multinational conglomerates and governments.

About Most Important Reform:  MostImportantReform.info is a global knowledge gateway established by Japonica Partners to provide information related to government financial management and Greece government debt.

About The Accountant and International Accounting Bulletin:

Established in 1874, The Accountant is one of the oldest and most prestigious trade magazines in the world. Today The Accountant offers a comprehensive range of briefing services across topics including regulation, legislation and education for those working in the accounting profession.

International Accounting Bulletin is the only global magazine covering the professional services world. Focusing on business issues affecting accounting firms, networks and associations, it is a trusted source for leading accounting news, as well as vital data and analysis provided by its survey features.

Both sister titles are owned by Timetric, an innovative, fast-growing economic and business research firm that provides critical intelligence on emerging economies and key global industries.

About The Accountant & International Accounting Bulletin Conference and Awards 2016:

The Accountant & International Accounting Bulletin Conference and Awards has grown from strength to strength in recent years. Starting as an awards reception in 2012, we will be returning to London in 2016 with a full day's conference followed by a gala awards ceremony aimed at UK, European and global accounting stakeholder leaders.

Bringing together some of the most prominent people from the industry the focus of the talks will consider the global accountancy landscape in 2016, adapting to the digital age, revaluating audit, the rise of non-financial reporting and the latest innovations in the market. Our expert speakers will conclude the forum by debating the future of the accounting industry.

The evening will host a gala dinner to celebrate winners of The Accountant & International Accounting Bulletin Awards 2016, celebrating excellence in the accounting profession.

When: 6 October 2016.

Where: Millennium Gloucester Hotel, London.

Contact: Carlos Tornero, Timetric, carlos.tornero[@]uk.timetric.com
Christopher Magarian, Kazarian Foundation, cmagarian[@]kazarianfoundation.org

SOURCE Charles & Agnes Kazarian Foundation