Judi Emmanuel in performance at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica annual awards dinner and dance, held at the Hilton Kingston hotel, New Kingston, on Thursday, December 7. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

It was an entertaining evening when the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ) held its second annual awards dinner and dance last Thursday.

The decor was one of peace symbols, musical notes and 45s (the records) hanging from the ceiling of the ballroom of the Hilton Kingston hotel, which was apt because there was much music and all was definitely at peace in this gathering.

President of the ICAJ, Leighton McKnight, in between his jokes and witty comments, implored his colleagues to keep the profession moving forward and restore credibility. Apart from the dinner, guests feasted on the musical selections from Jon Williams and Friends. The quartet performed hits such as Just The Two Of Us and People Make The World Go Round. They were the perfect introduction and backing for Judi Emmanuel who later showed her singing prowess. She delighted the audience with songs such as Take My Love Forever, My Boy Lollipop and Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Guest speaker Russell Merifield, senior trade commissioner at the Canadian High Commission, also asked the accountants to know the value of their office.

"You carry a huge responsibility in maintaining public confidence in the business world," he said. The highlight of the evening was the presenting of the ICAJ Distinguished Member Award that goes to a member, current or retired, who has contributed to the prestige and status of the ICAJ.

And the award went to ...

President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica, Leighton McKnight (left), presents Jasper Burnett with the Distinguished Member Award. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

This year, the award went to former president Jasper Burnett. One of the early members of the ICAJ, Burnett said he owed much to the giants of those days. He said the association was blessed with talented members and visionaries, including the man he topped in the nominations, another former president Ken Lewis. Both men were honoured for being nominated.

Fifteen retired members of the ICAJ, some in absentia, were also recognised for their contributions.

Guests included former ICAJ presidents Patrick Chin, Garth Kiddoe, Linroy Marshall, Derek Sale, Eric Crawford, C. Patrick Hayle, Donald Reynolds, Kenneth LaCruise. Other ICAJ members included vice-president Prunella Vassell, secretary Victor Markman, treasurer Archibald Campbell, and Elaine Robinson. Among other guests were attorney Dennis Morrison, Ethlyn Norton Coke and husband Ronald Coke.