Thirty-three participants have completed the Bookkeeping II – Accounting Software Integration Training Programme hosted by the Youth Economy Agency (YEA). The training programme was held under the theme, “Building Financial Confidence: The Power of Accurate Bookkeeping”.
The five-week comprehensive course covered the fundamentals of accounting software, from initial setup to advanced features and troubleshooting. The course was designed for beginners and intermediate users who want to effectively manage their organization’s financial records.
Classes began on February 3, 2025, and were held three times a week for two cohorts. Participants in the south of the island attended classes virtually from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., while participants from the north attended classes in-person at the YEA office on Chaussee Road, Castries, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
A certification ceremony was held on Thursday afternoon, March 20, 2025, at the Finance Administrative Centre in Pointe Seraphine, where the participants were spotlighted for their determination to equip themselves with the financial knowledge they need to succeed in business.
In her remarks at the ceremony, H.E. Nicole Su, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, commended the Youth Economy Agency for offering practical programmes that benefit young entrepreneurs. Through the courses, she said, entrepreneurs are better equipped with valuable financial knowledge and hands-on experiences to further their businesses.
“The Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and our Technical Mission are honoured to have the opportunity to collaborate with the YEA to make the programme possible and further provide the start-up angel fund,” Ambassador Su said. “I would therefore like to congratulate all of you on successfully completing the five-week training programme.”
Ambassador Su told the participants that the valuable skills they have gained will empower them to manage their business finances more effectively and efficiently, thereby equipping them with the resources necessary to succeed in today’s competitive business world.
“For the 31 of you who are to be awarded the angel fund, I encourage you to make the most of this resource,” said Ambassador Su. “We are pleased and happy for you, because it is you who have made it possible for us to invest in you. I encourage you to use the fund wisely to turn your entrepreneurial aspiration into reality. So again, congratulations to you all. The Government and the people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) are here with you in your journey towards success in life.”
Ms. Olivia Jn. Baptiste, Project Officer for Training & Development at the Youth Economy Agency, provided an overview of the programme, noting the growth and development of participants evolving from learners to better financial record-keepers. The programme was structured with a strong focus on practical application centred around QuickBooks Online, equipping participants with essential skills to streamline and enhance their business accounting processes, she said.
Across the 45-hour training programme, participants gained expertise in setting up new businesses in QuickBooks, developing a chart of accounts, recording various financial transactions, performing bank reconciliations, processing cash and credit payments, utilizing bank deposits, and much more.
“This programme targeted 42 participants, all of whom had previously completed the first phase of this training programme, namely ‘Introduction to Bookkeeping’, a prerequisite for this training programme,” Jn. Baptiste explained. “Out of these, 36 participants took the initiative to register and embark on this journey. I am proud to report that 92% of the participants successfully completed the training.”
Upon the conclusion of the training programme, participants were required to submit their portfolios showcasing their ability to manage real-world financial transactions using QuickBooks. Thirty-one portfolios were submitted with outstanding class averages of 82% and 96% respectively. Participants who successfully completed and submitted their portfolios each received an angel fund of EC$1,000.00 to support their businesses.
Jn. Baptiste thanked the Government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Hon. Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Development and Youth Economy & Minister for Justice and National Security, for continuing to support the Youth Economy Agency in its life-changing programmes that benefit young people.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bryan Vidal, Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Economy Agency, told the participants that understanding how to properly manage their businesses is essential to their businesses being profitable and sustainable.
“Some of the major challenges facing the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector include inadequate access to finance and poor business management,” said Vidal. “When you’re a micro business, you have the challenge of having to know all aspects of your business. If you do not work, money does not come in. Aside from giving you access to finance, we’re giving you the skills needed to manage your businesses.”
Featured speakers — Mr. Phil Henderson, Managing Director of P1 Marketing Solutions, and Mr. Damon Walters, owner and Managing Director of W-Mart — both congratulated the participants, encouraging them to impart the knowledge they gained during the course into their daily business operations. Both shared their personal experiences about the importance of using proper bookkeeping to realize better outcomes and greater efficiency.
[SOURCE: Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Saint Lucia]