Founded in 1904, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is the global

professional accounting body offering the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification (ACCA
or FCCA). As of May 2012, ACCA was one of the largest and fastest-growing global
accountancy bodies with 154,000 members and 432,000 students in 170 countries. ACCA's
headquarters are in London with principal administrative office in Glasgow. ACCA works
through a network of 83 offices and centres and more than 8,500 Approved Employers
worldwide, who provide employee development.
The term 'Chartered' in ACCA qualification refers to the Royal Charter granted in 1974 by
Queen Elizabeth II in the United Kingdom.
Chartered Certified Accountant is a legally protected term. Individuals who describe themselves
as Chartered Certified Accountants must be members of ACCA and, if they carry out public
practice engagements, must comply with additional regulations such as holding a practising
certificate, carrying liability insurance and submitting to inspections.
The Association of Authorised Public Accountants (AAPA), one of the British professional
bodies for public accountants, has been a subsidiary of ACCA since 1996.
ACCA claims to work in the public interest, assuring that its members are appropriately
regulated. It promotes principles-based regulation. ACCA actively seeks to enhance the value of
accounting in society through international research. It takes progressive stances on global issues
to ensure accountancy as a profession continues to grow in reputation and influence.
Contents
1 History
2 Qualifications
o 2.1 Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA)
o 2.2 Foundation-level qualifications - Foundations in Accountancy
o 2.3 Other qualifications
3 Membership
o 3.1 Affiliate
o 3.2 Fellowship
o 3.3 Continuing Professional Development
4 Legal & mutual recognition
o 4.1 Europe
o 4.2 North America
o 4.3 Oceania
o 4.4 Caribbean, Central & South America
o 4.5 Africa
o 4.6 Asia
5 Global Partnership
o 5.1 Professional Partners
o 5.2 University Links
6 Assessment Technologies
o 6.1 Representation worldwide
7 See also
8 References
9 External links
History
ACCA traces its origin to 1904, when eight people formed the London Association of
Accountants to allow more open access to the profession than was available through the
accounting bodies at the time, notably the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and
Wales and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. As of 2006, the goal of ACCA is
to become the worlds largest global professional body.
Key dates in ACCA history include:
1930: London Association of Accountants successfully campaigns for the right to audit
companies.
1933: London Association of Accountants renamed London Association of Certified Accountants.
1939: Corporation of Accountants (Scottish body, founded 1891) merges with London
Association of Certified Accountants to become the Association of Certified and Corporate
Accountants.
1941: Institution of Certified Public Accountants (founded 1903, and incorporating the Central
Association of Accountants from 1933) merges with Association of Certified and Corporate
Accountants.
1971: Association of Certified and Corporate Accountants renamed Association of Certified
Accountants.
1974: Royal Charter Queen Elizabeth II.
1974: ACCA becomes one of six founding members of the Consultative Committee of
Accountancy Bodies (CCAB).
1977: ACCA becomes a founding member of the International Federation of Accountants
(IFAC).
1984: Association of Certified Accountants renamed Chartered Association of Certified
Accountants.
1995: ACCA members vote at an extraordinary general meeting to rename itself Association of
Chartered Public Accountants and to introduce the designation Chartered Public Accountant. The
Privy Council subsequently rejected this proposal over concerns about the term "public". It did
however agree that any accountancy body bearing a royal charter could use "chartered" as part of
its designation.
1996: Chartered Association of Certified Accountants renamed Association of Chartered
Certified Accountants. Members become entitled to use the title Chartered Certified Accountant
(Designatory letters ACCA or FCCA). The Association of Authorised Public Accountants became
a subsidiary of ACCA. The group earned its first Queen's Award, for Export Achievement
1998: ACCA's syllabus formed the basis of the United Nations' global accountancy curriculum
titled Guideline on National Requirements for the Qualification of Professional Accountants,
published in 1999. ACCA was a participant in the consultative group that devised this global
Benchmark.
2001: ACCA received a Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade, recognising
ACCA's growth and its role in 160 countries worldwide.
2002: ACCA received its second Queen's Award for Enterprise in the space of 12 months, in the
Sustainable Development category. The award recognized ACCA's continuing work on social
and environmental issues.
2009: ACCA members allowed to provide probate services as of 1 August under Probate Services
(Approved Bodies) Order 2009 Number 1588.