ACCA, the most forward -thinking accountancy body

Membership of a professional body matters in today’s global economy. In a global business culture that relies on trust to function, professional qualifications and membership of a respected body are essential for success.

Most people could never trust a dentist, doctor or lawyer who was not professionally qualified, or did not have a professional designation and was not a member of a recognised body.

All of these are professions that need top qualifications to succeed, and accountancy is no different. The ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) Qualification rigorously tests the skills, abilities and competencies demanded by a modern day accountant, preparing students for a rewarding career as a qualified and ethical finance professional.

The ACCA qualification is extremely flexible and can be studied full-time or part-time with one of its learning partners, self-study – or through the online learning platform, ACCA-X. Students can keep their studies broad or choose an area to specialise in.

Currently, membership of the global professional body for accountants ACCA has grown to over 219,000. This is a milestone achievement showcasing how its members have helped lead and advise organisations of all sizes across geographies and economic sectors over the last 115 years. 

Membership bodies and professional qualifications have real value in these economically challenging times. Ultimately, they bring benefits to society, to business, to the clients who use them and to their own members. When doing business with a member of a professional body, there is a guarantee that that person will be well trained and will practice with professionalism. 

Professional bodies are not only there to provide protection for the public; they can bring big benefits for members too, particularly the improved credibility a professional can gain from membership of a prestigious body.

When there is more than one body representing your profession, it is important that you choose the one best placed to enable you to develop your career and meet your long-term goals.

A good professional body will have tough but business relevant and globally recognised qualifications at the end of its courses. Hard-earned qualifications and membership of a top body will be recognised in your chosen profession, and this recognition will only increase your standing in the eyes of your peers and bosses. Importantly, this could make the difference when your bosses decide if you or a similar professional gets the promotion.

A career in accounting is not the only destination for those with an accounting qualification. These many qualified finance professionals in fact progress into senior positions in other types of organisations, from banking and regulation to government and academia. Many of the skills taught on the course are ‘transferrable’. Qualifications like the ACCA equip people with skills and tools needed to achieve their dreams

With increasingly globalised markets, finding a qualification that is recognised worldwide is very important. A global qualification allows greater mobility between sectors and countries, as well as making a candidate more attractive to employers.

Looking to the future, ACCA is currently being studied by 527,000 students worldwide. Job prospects for these individuals are promising. With much of the ACCA course centred on ethics and professionalism, qualified accountants are in high demand. 

ACCA members can be found working in the world’s leading accountancy firms – ‘the Big 4’ as they are known – as well as for multinationals – from Shell to JP Morgan – and for any number of small businesses or small accountancy practices. 

What’s more, pursuing an accountancy qualification doesn’t limit people to an accounting job – many of the skills taught on the course are ‘transferrable’. Qualifications like the ACCA equip people with skills and tools needed to achieve their dreams. 

ACCA and the University of London have joined forces to launch the first ever world-class Masters programme integrated with a professional qualification. The Business School is one of the leading schools for teaching and learning in the UK, being a national Subject Centre in Business, Management, Accountancy and Finance, and Oxford Brookes University is one of only 16 institutions across the UK to have received two multi-million pound awards to establish more than one Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. 

By gaining the BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting, awarded by Oxford Brookes University, students will not only demonstrate to potential or existing employers that they possess all the relevant graduate skills to equip them for a brilliant career in accounting and finance, but that it is from a university that has a reputation for excellence. 

Whilst it takes time, effort and money to be the member of a good professional body – the benefits from that membership will make it more than worthwhile.