From her humble beginnings in rural Jamaica to changing into one of many Caribbean’s most revered tax specialists, Elizabeth Ann Jones, Chairman of The Jamaica Nationwide Group, by no means adopted a grasp plan—only a dedication to doing her finest.
“I used to be by no means one who had particular timelines to perform something. I simply tried to be the most effective that I could possibly be at any given time,” she mentioned after receiving the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica’s (ICAJ) 2024 Distinguished Member Award.
Raised on the Worthy Park Property in Luidas Vale, St. Catherine, and later despatched to boarding college in Kingston, Ms. Jones by no means got down to specialise in taxation. She graduated from the College of the West Indies with a level in Chemistry, however quickly discovered herself on this planet of auditing. Realizing early on that it wasn’t the proper match, she pivoted to tax—and by no means regarded again.
Her journey was marked by daring choices and a deep want to make a distinction. Within the tax subject, her unwavering dedication to excellence allowed her not solely to steer however to form the career itself.
With greater than 4 many years of service throughout each private and non-private sectors, Ms. Jones led KPMG’s Jamaican tax follow for a few years. Her work included advising on native and worldwide tax planning, navigating double taxation treaties, decoding laws, and liaising between shoppers and tax authorities on assessments and incentives.
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“It’s an honourable career; it provides you nice alternative, flexibility and reward, all relying on what you place into it,” she mentioned.
Ms. Jones additionally contributed to nationwide improvement, serving the Authorities of Jamaica in varied roles, together with as particular advisor to the Minister of Finance from 1989 to 1992. Throughout that interval, she performed a key function within the implementation of the Basic Consumption Tax (GCT)—a serious milestone within the nation’s fiscal historical past.
“I feel I’m very lucky to have had, alongside the way in which, individuals who’ve inspired me and have been an enormous affect on my improvement and my changing into the individual I’m right now, worthy of being honoured,” she added.
She obtained the ICAJ’s highest honour throughout its sixtieth Anniversary Awards Banquet on Might 1 on the Jamaica Pegasus Resort in New Kingston. The award, offered yearly, acknowledges ICAJ members for excellent contributions to the Institute and the accountancy career in Jamaica.
“We’re proud to have fun an expert whose service, integrity and management proceed to encourage,” mentioned ICAJ President Eric Scott, who praised her dedication and impression on the occasion. “What actually distinguishes Ms. Jones is not only her experience however her regular principled strategy to management, her quiet mentorship, and her unwavering service to the neighborhood.”
Exterior her skilled achievements, Ms. Jones has devoted important time to volunteer service in training, youth improvement, and civic engagement. She presently sits on the Board of Administrators and audit committee of Radio Jamaica Restricted and holds the excellence of being the primary girl to chair The Jamaica Nationwide Group.
Earl Jarrett, CEO and Deputy Chairman of The Jamaica Nationwide Group, described her as a relaxed and regular chief who brings grace to each problem.
“She is unafraid to take dangers or embrace new alternatives, all the time guaranteeing that nobody is left behind,” he mentioned. “I love her consideration to element, her mentorship, and her loyalty. She persistently creates alternatives for private development and studying. I’ve by no means heard her increase her voice or communicate right down to anybody, however you’ll all the time know when she’s not happy. I depend on her to maintain me calm.”
Colleagues throughout the enterprise, authorized, and accounting sectors echoed these sentiments, many crediting her for setting a quiet however highly effective commonplace of excellence and management.
