University and business collaborate to improve regional skills

DEVELOPMENT

Sage Pastel has partnered with Kenya’s prestigious Strathmore University and Business School to bring the first certified Sage Pastel Accredited Training University to East Africa.

“We are thrilled about this partnership and the impact the training centre will have in improving the skills of university graduates in the region, ensuring they are work-ready at graduation.” says Nikki Summers, East Africa regional manager. The training centre offers a comprehensive practitioner course on Pastel Evolution – the company’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system - that is open to BCom Accounting and IT students.

The seven day training programme will enable students to enhance their accounting skills by mastering practical accounting applications: General ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory and order entry. Students are assessed through an online assessment, which has to be completed six months after commencement of training.

In official celebration, a Pastel Evolution open day was held at the University to launch the training centre this week. Dubbed Kenya’s father of accounting and head of Strathmore’s accounting faculty, Dr MacFie, addressed some 300 students on the importance of embracing new technology. “Accounting programs will never replace the value of studying accounting as a subject, but certainly compliment the theory.” He praised Pastel for the work it is doing in the east Africa region to further the practice of accounting and also assisting businesses to automate their systems. 

Sage Pastel presented on the benefits of enrolling in the course: Students that successfully complete training receive a Sage Pastel Evolution certification, which represents a globally recognised skill set and gives graduates an advantage in finding work. Dr MacFie also told the students: “In the tough job market this kind of qualification is an important differentiating factor.”

This new relationship between the University and Sage Pastel will play a prominent role in improving accounting skills and facilitating the desired knowledge transfer into the regional business community.

About Sage Pastel and Sage VIP Payroll

Sage Pastel is the continent’s leading developer of accounting, payroll and business management software for the small, medium and large enterprise market. Since inception, Pastel has developed an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the industry, establishing itself as a market leader and the preferred choice for entrepreneurial business owners.