info@englishschool.ac.cy +357 22 799 300 0 Presidential Palace Road and Kyriacou Matsi
Strovolos 1082 Nicosia Cyprus
The Economics Society, which meets every Friday at The English School, was delighted to welcome Ms Christiana Diola, Director, Europe at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), to speak to our Year 6 and 7 Economics students.
ICAEW is one of the world’s leading professional bodies for chartered accountants, supporting members and students in over 140 countries and playing a key role in setting high standards for the accountancy profession.
As Director for Europe, Ms Diola leads ICAEW’s work across the region, including Cyprus and Greece, engaging with firms, regulators and policymakers on issues that shape the financial and business environment.
In her talk, titled “The Role of Chartered Accountants in Today’s Working World – Cyprus as a Trade Centre”, Ms Diola explained how chartered accountants contribute far beyond traditional auditing and bookkeeping. She outlined their role in safeguarding financial integrity, advising businesses on strategy and risk, and supporting sustainable growth in an increasingly complex, data-driven global economy. She also highlighted how professional scepticism and strong ethical standards are essential in combating financial crime and maintaining trust in markets.
Focusing on Cyprus, Ms Diola explored why the island has established itself as a regional hub for professional services and international trade. She discussed the country’s strategic geographic position, its highly qualified workforce and its growing network of financial, shipping and service companies, all of which create diverse career opportunities for young people interested in economics, finance and business. She also touched on the skills and qualifications – including the ACA qualification – that can open doors to international careers for our students.
The session concluded with a lively Q&A, during which students asked about career pathways, university choices, and how global trends such as digitalisation, sustainability and geopolitical change are reshaping the work of chartered accountants. Ms Diola encouraged our students to combine strong technical knowledge with curiosity, integrity and a willingness to keep learning throughout their careers.
We are grateful to Ms Diola and ICAEW for investing time in our students and for offering such a clear, real-world perspective on the connection between their classroom learning and the dynamic world of international trade and finance.
