PAT HAYLE RECOGNISED
THE WOMAN who made history when she was named the first female president of the prestigious Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ), Patricia Hayle, has taken the spotlight again as the 2018 Distinguished Member awardee for the organisation.
Hayle, a member since 1987, was recognised at a recent banquet at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston. The award is presented annually to a member of the ICAJ who has contributed, through his/her outstanding achievements, to the development of the institute and the accounting profession.
Hayle, who spearheaded the modernisation of the operations of the ICAJ while serving as president between July 1999 and July 2001, is credited for steering the upgrading of physical facilities for the offices and students’ study facilities, resulting in the implementation of a then, state-of-
the-art computer system and the launch of the institute’s website.
On Tuesday, during her response, the chartered accountant, who is principal of CPH Consulting, urged women in the profession to take their place while imploring the men in boardrooms to level the playing field in the male-dominated profession.
“Despite the superior qualification achievements of some of our female members, inequity for hiring for the top jobs remains male-dominated. Neither qualifications nor experience seem to balance the influence of the all-male lodges, clubs and school fraternities,” she said.
She also argued that the only way the status quo will change is if women change the way they do things. She encouraged them to fight back by ensuring that they recognise the value of networking.
“We, too, can use the power of influence. While we move through this world, we must learn to adopt and adapt in order to provide the required balance whilst preserving the fragile egos of some of our male counterparts.”