50 years of leaving a mark in Colombia public accounting
Juan Carlos Henao, Externado Rector, made a vehement call to current and future accountants to commit, without limitations, to fight against corruption, considered today as one of the great scourges of the country.
On September 21, 2017, the Externado Public Accounting Faculty celebrated five decades of contribution to the development of the country, from their fundamental task. The program was born in February 1967, and initially, was part of the Economic Sciences Faculty.
As narrated by the Faculty Dean, Juan Manuel Guerrero, in 1971 the ICFES, according to agreement 047 of July 13, licensed the Public Accounting Faculty to continue its academic functions independently. At certain times in its history, the program has been offered on an evening schedule.
This is the beginning of the story of this academic unit that, in 2017 commemorates 50 years of training students who are now successful professionals in and outside the country.
For this reason, hundreds of alumni, administrative staff, current students, Juan Carlos Henao, Externado Rector; the General Secretary, Marta Hinestrosa, and Dean Juan Manuel Guerrero, gathered to commemorate this momentous date.
The event began at 10:00 am, with words by the Rector, who congratulated the Faculty on its 50th anniversary, referring to its character, some milestones in its history, and the accountant’s role in today’s society.
“The role of the accountant is vital. Today, he is a provider of public faith and performs in a quasi-legal position. When an accountant signs something, he is performing public service work. This function is essential,” added the Rector.
During his speech, the Rector passionately urged students to strongly participate in the struggle the country is currently experiencing against what can be considered its largest scourge – corruption.
Also, he encouraged current students and graduates to investigate deeply and permanently, to give the Accounting profession a broader social and citizenship spectrum.
Juan Manuel Guerrero, Accounting Faculty Dean, highlighted the achievements during the past 50 years and recalled the story of how they got to where they are now.
In 2003, by Resolution 0694 of April 7, 2003, the Faculty was accredited by the Academic Program, for a 3-year period. Following the same process, two years later, the Externado University obtained Institutional Accreditation by Resolution 04515 of December 2, 2004, for a 7-year term.
Since 2014, the Externado Public Accounting Faculty offers five Specialization programs in Bogotá and other cities, such as Tunja, Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Bucaramanga. Additionally, the Faculty has a Business Development and Continuing Education Center offering training in various areas of the accounting discipline.
The commemoration also featured a video of alumni residing abroad who have built successful careers from their training at the Externado. Also, diplomas were awarded to those who stood out for their academic grades over the 50 years, to graduates outstanding in their profession, and to the administrative staff who continually work on the smooth operation of the Faculty.
Alumni and Professor José Ubaldo Díaz, and María Paula Rodríguez, an undergraduate student, participated in the celebration with heartfelt speeches highlighting the academic program and its Professors. They encouraged attendees to continue to grow and contribute, from their profession to the development of the country.
For the past 50 years, the Public Accounting Faculty has been led by four Deans, Francisco Nicholls García, Blass Guifunni Cabra, Hernando Pérez Durán, and Juan Manuel Guerrero Jiménez.