Islamabad, Dec 21: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) celebrated a significant milestone with the 10th National Finance Olympiad (NFO), marking a decade of financial excellence, innovation, and leadership. Since its inception, the NFO has grown into a premier platform for finance professionals, showcasing their expertise and pushing the boundaries of financial knowledge and skills.
The event brought together 52 teams representing a range of sectors and organizations, participating in a rigorous competition that spanned two challenging rounds. After intense deliberations, six top teams Unilever, Lipton Teas & Infusions, Engro Fertilizers, KPMG, KnS School of Business Studies, and K-Electric reached the Grand Finale, competing for the title of “National Finance Champion 2024.”
This year’s competition introduced a dynamic simulation-based assessment, evaluated by industry leaders, along with case studies, boardroom challenges, and engaging activities like the “Spin the Wheel.” The NFO’s evolving structure not only tested participants’ financial acumen but also their ability to think strategically in real-world scenarios such as corporate social responsibility, business sustainability, and geopolitical conflicts.
The evening commenced with a networking session, followed by an inspiring address from Mr. Samiullah Siddiqui FCA, Chairman of the PAIB Committee and Council Member of ICAP. Mr. Farrukh Rehman FCA, President of ICAP, recognized the vital role of finance professionals in Pakistan’s economic development, praising the participants’ outstanding performance and emphasizing how events like the NFO contribute to nurturing the next generation of finance leaders.
A panel discussion featuring renowned industry leaders, including Mr. Shakaib Arif FCA, CEO of Naymat Collateral Management, Mr. Ali Tariq, CEO of Unilever Sri Lanka, and Mr. Khalilullah Shaikh FCA, Board Member of IFAC, provided insights into the decade-long journey of the NFO. Mr. Aijaz Haq, Head of Growth & External Linkages at Karachi School of Business & Leadership (KSBL), also addressed the gathering, highlighting the platform’s role in fostering strategic thinking and leadership.
The finalists presented their proposals to a distinguished jury, comprising Ms. Gulzar Khoja FCA, CFO of PSO, Mr. Khalid Zaman Khan, Group Head of HR at Meezan Bank, and Mr. Rayomond Kotwal, CFO of HBL. The competition culminated in three intense rounds, testing the participants’ financial expertise and decision-making abilities, with the “Spin the Wheel” challenge adding an exciting element of risk and strategy. After a rigorous contest, KnS School of Business Studies emerged as the National Finance Olympiad Champion 2024, with K-Electric and KPMG securing the first and second runners-up positions, respectively.
Mr. Samiullah Siddiqui FCA extended his gratitude to the organizing team, ICAP’s PAIB committee, and partners including Unilever Pakistan, KSBL, A.F. Fergusons & EY Ford Rhodes, for their invaluable contributions to the success of NFO 2024. The event concluded with a celebratory dinner, memento distribution, and group photos, as the NFO once again proved to be an inspiring event for finance professionals, encouraging them to excel both nationally and internationally.
