The Controller and Auditor General, Fuimaono Camillo Afele, has been awarded a fellowship by the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (C.A.A.N.Z.).

The Institute bestows the honour on people from around the world for "outstanding achievements and contribution to the accounting profession and their communities."

"This year's list reflects a growing number of members demonstrating outstanding achievement and contribution not only to the profession, but to their wider communities as well," said Stephen Walker, the Head of the professional body.

Fuimaono was the only Samoan national included among the 220 inductees for 2019. The list was announced in mid-December. 

Memberships were awarded to professionals from nine other countries including: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

C.A.A.N.Z., formed after a 2013 merger, focuses on the education and lifelong learning of its members, and public advocacy and thought leadership relevant to the profession. 

The group has a network of 120,000 members.

Fuimaono has been an accountant for more than two decades. He began his public sector career in 1996. 

According to the statement posted on the C.A.A.N.Z. website, fellowships are awarded to members who are nominated by their peers for outstanding career achievement and contribution to the profession

Mr. Walker strongly encouraged their members to nominate their peers within their professional circle who demonstrate outstanding contributions to the profession through their services to the community, participation in professional bodies, and research or writing within the field of accountancy.

Attempts to get a comment from Fuimaono about his latest achievement were not successful.

But during a precious interview, Fuimaono told the Samoa Observer: "There have been many other blessings before this one but this is the ultimate and pinnacle of my career as an [accountant and Auditor] God’s love is magical.

“At times we endure God’s blessings the hymn that comes to mind is ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’”.

He concluded that any professional glory and honour belongs to God.

Fuimaono leads the Audit office and their reports which consists of Audit Office reports and Irregularity Reports, which are required to be tabled in Parliament as per the Constitution, are up to date.

Fuimaono is the son of the late Papali’i Taimalelagi Afele and Mata’afa Tamasa’ilau Salu. 

C.A.A.N.Z. is affiliated with two of the world's largest accounting alliances and with other member bodies around the world. 

Fuimaono was named one of the Samoa Observer's people of the year for 2019.