ACCA means Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. ACCA qualification is designed to provide the accounting knowledge, skills and professional values which will deliver finance professionals who are capable of building successful careers across all sectors, whether they are working in the public or private sectors, practicing in accounting firms, or pursuing a career in business.

The accountancy body

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is the largest global professional accountancy body, with nearly 300,000 members and students in 160 countries. ACCA's headquarters are in London and it has staffed offices in 31 countries.

In the UK, ACCA is by far the largest accountancy body in terms of student numbers, and the second largest in terms of members. It is the only body to operate on a global basis. The ACCA syllabus has been recognized by the United Nations as providing the foundation for a global accountancy qualification. ACCA members benefit from the wide professional mobility.

ACCA is founded in 1904 in London. Its mission is to provide quality professional opportunities to people of ability and application, to be a leader in the development of the global accountancy profession, to promote the highest ethical and governance standards and to work in the public interest.

ACCA is governed by a Council all of whom are themselves ACCA members from around the world and who are elected by the whole membership. There are no constituencies; Council members therefore represent all ACCA members. An International Assembly, elected on the basis of national and regional constituencies, advises Council and acts as a channel of communication between council and ACCA's global membership.

The new qualification

The launch of the new qualification follows a widespread and detailed consultation process, which started back in November 2004. Over 17,000 members and students took part in the member competences and the student aspirations surveys, which formed the basis of the new qualification proposals.

ACCA consulted internationally with students, members, employers, tuition providers, other professional accountancy bodies and regulators and received over 30,000 responses to its various research initiatives. Actually, as an organization that advocates transparency, it is imperative that ACCA conducts a detailed and comprehensive review to ensure that the views of all ACCA's key stakeholders are taken into consideration when developing the new ACCA Qualification. The new ACCA qualification can meet the requirements of students, members, tuition providers, employers, and various organizations.

In addition to responding to the needs of its stakeholders, ACCA has designed a qualification which embeds the global accounting education standards set by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). There is a strong focus on professional values, ethics, and governance. These skills are essential as the profession moves towards strengthened codes of conduct, regulation, and legislation – with an increasing focus on professionalism and ethics in accounting. They will be examined at the highest level in the new ACCA Qualification, and will be a core element of students' practical experience requirements.

The new ACCA Qualification is designed to provide the accounting knowledge, skills and professional values which will deliver finance professionals who are capable of building successful careers across all sectors, whether they are working in the public or private sectors, practicing in accounting firms, or pursuing a career in business.

In order to qualify as an ACCA member, you will complete:

• 14 exams (nine of which are eligible for exemption)
• Relevant practical experience, with a minimum of three years
• A Professional Ethics module

Qualifications offered by ACCA

ACCA offers three qualifications:

• A Professional qualification entitling members to the designation Chartered Certified Accountant,
• A Technician level qualification,
• And a Diploma for managers who are non-accountants but who need to acquire operational and strategic finance skills.

For each of these qualifications, ACCA combines the benefits of traditional accounting skills with a wide ranging and forward looking syllabus, which recognizes that finance professionals are increasingly required to demonstrate strategic thinking, excellent communication, people skills and fluency with information technology.

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is the largest, fastest growing international professional accountancy body in the world. Whatever your background, ACCA addresses your individual needs and goals in an ongoing partnership which is designed to last throughout your career.

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