EPA, CIS Project Conclude Three-Day QuickBooks Training

MONROIA – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia, in partnership with the Enhancing Climate Information Systems for Resilient Development Project (CIS), has successfully concluded a four-day QuickBooks training workshop aimed at improving financial management, accountability, and efficiency across its projects.

The training, which begun on Monday, September 15, 2025, brought together 35 participants from the EPA’s Finance, Administration, Human Resources, ICT, Audit, and Project Units, as well as partner projects including the Monrovia Metropolitan Climate Resilience Project (MMCRP) and the Sinoe Project, was held at the Cyntheo House in Kakata, Margibi County.

Speaking on behalf of EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, who is on international duty, Mr. Desmond T. Thompson, Project Liaison Officer, expressed appreciation to participants and partners for their commitment.

“This workshop has been very instrumental. We saw a total participation from all major departments—finance, administration, HR, ICT, audit, and the project teams”, he added.

According to Mr. Thompson,  the knowledge acquired by the participants, should not stop with those who attended, but encouraged them to share what they have learned with their colleagues who were unable to form part of the training.

“This  training will help you minimize errors, mitigate risks, and uphold the highest standards in managing EPA projects,” Thompson said.

He also thanked the CIS Project Manager Nelson S. Jallah and team for supporting the initiative, noting that such capacity-building efforts are essential in strengthening the EPA’s governance and accountability systems.

Also speaking, Mr. Fred Dehfer, EPA Controller, emphasized the responsibility that comes with the training.

“We have a serious task ahead of us. The goal is not just to attend training but to make this software a working tool in our offices. QuickBooks can simplify our work, but it is up to us to apply what we have learned,” Dehfer stated.

For his part, Mr. Nelson S. Jallah, CIS Project Manager, highlighted the broader objective of the exercise.

He explained that the CIS Project, funded by the Green Climate Fund, the African Development Bank, and the Government of Liberia, is committed to ensuring financial accountability in climate-related initiatives.

“QuickBooks is globally recognized for improving financial accuracy and transparency. This training will help harmonize financial practices across EPA projects, strengthen reporting systems, and improve audit readiness. These are critical steps in building trust with donors and stakeholders,” Jallah said.

Mr. Kingston J. Pyne, Assistant Director for Budget and Resource Mobilization at the EPA, described the training as “key and impactful.”

“This is not our first time using QuickBooks, but the training has given us a fresh start. Even those of us from non-financial backgrounds were able to learn something meaningful. We now have the fundamentals to build on,” Pyne said, while commending the EPA controller and the CIS project team for their leadership.

Ms. Lovete Jolo, IT Specialist at the EPA, also lauded the training, stressing its importance beyond the finance unit.

“Though this training was mainly finance-focused, it also helped us in ICT to better understand how technology can support accountability. We learned how QuickBooks integrates with other systems and reduces human error. This knowledge will guide us in providing better technical support for financial teams”, added.

Ms. Jolo encouraged the EPA and its partners to continue such inclusive training programs.

The training sessions included facilitator-led presentations, live demonstrations, case studies, and hands-on QuickBooks practice.

Participants were equipped with improved skills in financial reporting, project accountability, and collaboration across departments.

The QuickBooks training forms part of the EPA’s ongoing efforts to ensure that Liberia’s climate and environmental projects are managed with transparency, efficiency, and strong governance practices.