Saturday, 5 July 2014

NSE recommends March 31 end of year for insurers


Chuks Udo Okonta

 

Insurance companies have been advised to consider changing their accounting year end from December 31 to March 31 to avoid competing with banks for auditors attention.

 

Head/ Legal and Regulation Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Tinuade Awe, gave the admonition at the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) interactive Session with Shareholders Associations of quoted Insurance Companies in Lagos.

 

She noted that such time frame will help underwriters meet regulators’ stipulated deadlines for submission of accounts. She also called on NAICOM to expedite action in reviewing the accounts of listed insurance companies to enable them to comply with the regulatory deadlines.

 

She urged insurance companies to be mindful of filing calendars especially that of the NSE which is more stringent than other regulators and plan their financial reporting process with the filing dates in mind.

 

Awe said the Insurance industry plays a key role in the economy the same way the capital market does, adding that the highlighted issues of the industry notwithstanding, the NSE cannot bend its post-listing rules to the insurance companies, as it ensures a zero tolerance.

“Also, global best practice demands strict adherence to rules for all listed entities.

 

“All hands must be on deck to ensure that the Nigerian Capital Market maintains its acquired reputation in global markets,” she said.

 

 

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