Establishing the first international chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) in Bermuda is one step closer.

Following the first successful information session held by the organisation last week at the Fairmont Hamilton, interest from local accounting professionals in NABA is helping to raise the profile of the organisation in Bermuda.

NABA was formed in December 1969 when nine African-Americans met in New York City to discuss the unique challenges and limited opportunities they faced in the accounting profession. In that year, there were only 136 African-American Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) out of a total of 100,000 in the US and these individuals wanted to address the concerns of minorities entering the accounting profession.

At last week?s information session 41 professionals from a variety of industries in the private sector including reinsurance and from Government attended the event.

NABA has 10,000 members and consists of people working in information technology, marketing, as well as Certified Accountants, CPAs, Chartered Financial Analysts and other professionals.

?I would like to set up the first international chapter of NABA in Bermuda with the premise that NABA is an inclusive organisation not just for minorities but is open to all races,? Dee-AH Gordon CA/CPA assistant controller at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess said.

?NABA is not limited to accounting professionals and is open to other business professionals. NABA?s goal is to be a premier business organisation and you don?t have to be a qualified accountant to be a part of the organisation.?

Ms Gordon said setting up a NABA chapter in Bermuda could open up connections with Fortune 500 companies and can promote and develop the professional skills of its members. ?We hope to host a NABA conference in Bermuda and send a Bermuda delegation to next year?s NABA Conference in South Florida.?

She also said NABA is planning to stage another information session next year in Bermuda as a prelude to starting a Bermuda chapter of NABA.

Ms Gordon credits her networking with NABA as part of the reason she was hired to work at General Electric (GE) as a financial/cost analyst, with no American Status or affiliation (something rarely done in the Company).

Also, Ms Gordon was able to help children in Florida with a documentary with Tony Bland, author of ?Six Steps to Financial Fitness?.

?In my senior year at Oakwood College, Huntsville Alabama, I obtained my position at GE by attending a regional student conference and I worked for GE in the lighting division in Ohio before returning to Bermuda.?

?After returning to Bermuda and joining PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) I maintained contact with NABA because PWC and other local firms support NABA and PWC supported me in attending an NABA Annual Convention.?

For more information on NABA email nabadcemicoaching.bm or contact Dee-AH Gordon at 293-0236.