This year’s annual Award Ceremony for the Professional Licenses of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and the Postgraduate Professional Audit and Accounting Qualification (METKEL) was held with exceptional distinction, organized by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Greece (SOEL) and the SOEL Institute of Education (IESOEL). The event took place at the Megaron The Athens Concert Hall on Friday, 21 November, bringing together members of the academic and professional community, along with representatives of key institutional bodies.
Once again, the ceremony highlighted the very essence of the occasion: the recognition of a demanding and persistent journey. Each title conferred symbolized a personal endeavor, countless hours of study, and a deep commitment to the science and profession of auditing.
Celebrating perseverance and dedication
In their remarks, Mr. Apostolos Polyzos, President of SOEL, and Mr. Charilaos Alamanos, President of IESOEL, emphasized that earning the CPA License or the METKEL qualification is far more than the completion of an academic program. It reflects a sustained effort requiring discipline, responsibility, and personal maturity. They noted that the audit profession is evolving rapidly and that new professionals are entering a field in which trust and reliability are fundamental — qualities achieved only through continuous and rigorous preparation.
During the ceremony, Mr. Panagiotis Giannopoulos, President of ELTE, and Mr. Alan Vallance, CEO of ICAEW, delivered keynote speeches outlining both the challenges and the opportunities shaping the future of the audit profession. In addition, video greetings were shared by Mr. Jean Bouquot, President of IFAC, Mr. Jens Poll, President of Accountancy Europe, and Ms. Helen Brand, Chief Executive of ACCA.
The speakers stressed that although the profession is undergoing significant transformation driven by technology and new regulatory demands, the core values of Certified Public Accountants — integrity, independence, and accountability — remain unchanged. The new professionals are now called upon to carry these values into a modern environment and contribute to a framework of economic transparency and public trust.
The protagonists of the evening
The newly licensed Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and the graduates of the METKEL program took to the stage to warm applause from family and friends. For many, this moment marked the culmination of a long-term goal and the beginning of a new, more demanding yet highly rewarding chapter in their professional journey.
Representatives and instructors of SOEL and IESOEL congratulated all graduates and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting their ongoing professional development, ensuring a high standard of education and adherence to professional ethics.
The ceremony was moderated by Mr. Georgios Samothrakis, Advisor to the Supervisory Council of SOEL — of which he served as a member for 26 years and Vice-President for three — together with Mr. Georgios Floratos, actor and graduate of the “Empros” Drama School and the University of Piraeus, who jointly ensured the smooth and impeccable flow of the event.
