ACCA membership up 5% to 178,000

• Employers back qualification to ‘deliver complete finance professionals’

An increase of more than 5% in member numbers means that ACCA’s (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) worldwide membership has grown by 11,530 new members to over 178,000 in the past year.

The global body for professional accountants also recorded 455,000 students, of which 397,000 were studying for the ACCA Qualification in 2014-15. This represents an increase of over 12,000 on the previous year and cements ACCA’s position as the number one accountancy body operating worldwide.

ACCA’s membership growth rate, the highest of any of the international accounting bodies at 5.1%, is backed by a 98.3% retention rate among existing members.

Commenting on the impressive figures, released today, ACCA’s chief executive, Helen Brand OBE said:“The demand for professional, ethical accountants is on the rise right across the world and ACCA is committed to continued delivery of a qualification that reflects this global requirement.”

ACCA’s growth is also backed by positive feedback from businesses and learning providers on the relevance of the qualification, as Helen Brand explains:  “It is enormously encouraging that 82% of employers think ACCA delivers complete finance professionals. Our qualification ensures ACCA students finish their studies fully equipped to enter the world of work and it is vitally important that employers from all sectors and industries are aware of the benefits associated with employing qualified ACCA professionals.To also hear that 89% of learning providers who teach more than one professional accountancy qualification would recommend ACCA to prospective students is very welcome news.”

ACCA is the global body for professional accountants. It offers business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

ACCA supports its 178,000 members and 455,000 students in 181 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 92 offices and centres and more than 7,110 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.