United Kingdom and Ireland

The ACCA or Chartered Certified Accountant qualification is fully recognised in both the United Kingdom and Ireland.

• Under its Charter, ACCA works in the public interest.
• It is a Designated Professional Body under the Financial Services and Markets Act, business activities.
• It is a Recognised Professional Body under the Insolvency Act to issue permits to individual Chartered Certified Accountants to conduct insolvency appointments.
• It is also a Recognised Qualifying Body and Recognised Supervisory Body in relation to company auditing under the Companies Act of 1989.
• ACCA is a member of the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB). Members of these bodies are deemed to hold equivalent-level qualifications and advertisements for jobs often state that an organisation is looking for a CCAB-qualified individual.
• Full members of CCAB organisations including ACCA could apply for ICAEW membership subject to certain criteria.^[44]
• Only ACCA, ICAEW, ICAS, Association of International Accountants (AIA) and Chartered Accountants Ireland (CA Ireland) are able to authorise members to conduct audit, insolvency and investment business work in both the United Kingdom and Ireland.
• Outside these countries, legal recognition by government authorities and mutual recognition by equivalent overseas institutes, varies. Where full legal or mutual recognition is not available, ACCA members can sometimes obtain advanced standing in terms of sitting local accountancy examinations. ACCA's strong global reputation may make it unnecessary to acquire a local designation.
• Similarly, many universities and educational providers recognise ACCA as equivalent to at least a Bachelor's degree in accountancy, for the purpose of obtaining credit towards a local master's degree or an advanced study program.

The Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) assigned ACCA Qualification to 'Level 8' of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) in 2018. Level 8 holds Irish postgraduate qualifications, such as postgraduate diplomas and master's degrees.^[45]

In 2011, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC; then Professional Oversight Board) published information for the first time about its concerns over self-regulation by particular institutes. Press reports highlighted comments about ACCA, which had implemented recommendations to improve its examination syllabus, but needed to pay greater attention to monitoring long-time members.^[46] In 2011, 2012 and 2013 the ACCA professional body had the highest percentage of A&B (best) outcomes from FRC's Recognised Supervisory Body (RSB) visits to a sample of 'Registered UK Audit Firms'. ACCA firms tend to audit smaller and less complex clients.

As of 2022 there were over 109,000 members and 71,000 students in the UK & Ireland.

European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) & Switzerland

The ACCA qualification is legally recognized by all member countries of the European Union under the Mutual Recognition Directive. This recognition extends to the European Economic Area nations and Switzerland. For example, a holder of the ACCA could practice as an accountant in all member countries of the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland, describing himself/herself as ACCA or Chartered Certified Accountant. Access to local professional qualifications requires a separate test.

At the end of 2016 there were over 16,000 members and almost 60,000 students in Europe (excluding the UK & Ireland).

Turkey

ACCA and the Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants of Turkey (TÜRMOB) signed a partnership agreement in 2004 which enables TÜRMOB members resident in Turkey to follow the ACCA Strategic Professional level and achieve ACCA membership.

United States

• In June 2012, ACCA and Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) announced a strategic partnership. The two bodies joined forces to empower accountants and financial professionals to drive business performance. In January 2013, the ICMA Board of Regents, representing the certification division of IMA, voted to waive its usual bachelor's degree requirement for ACCA members wishing to earn IMA's Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential. The bachelor's degree waiver will allow all ACCA members around the world, regardless of background, access to IMA's CMA credential. This is a benefit to ACCA members who wish to have a US-based credential.^[47]
• There is no mutual recognition between ACCA and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)/National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).

At the end of 2016 there were 2,015 members in the US.

Canada

ACCA announced a Mutual Recognition Agreement with Certified General Accountant (CGA Canada) effective from 1 January 2007; renewed in 2011 for a further 5 years period until December 2017.^[48] As of 2006^[update], Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA), World Education Services and the Odette School of Business at the University of Windsor indicated that the evaluation recognized ACCA as having the Canadian equivalence of a bachelor's degree (four years) in Accounting. The Canadian branch of ACCA is pursuing recognition for statutory audit purposes in the province of Ontario under the province's Public Accounting Act of 2004.

Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and Certified Management Accountants of Canada (CMA Canada) announced a joint qualification 'Chartered Professional Accountant or CPA Designation', but whether this designation will impinge on ACCA's application for recognition in Ontario is uncertain.

On 29 November 2012 the ACCA opened up legal proceedings against the CICA to operate in Canada, complicated by the merger of the accounting profession in Canada, incorporating CICA, CMA Canada and CGA to use 'Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)'. A 10-year transitional period requires all CPA members to use CPA, 'legacy designation' rather than the newer designation. The merger completed in 2015.

At the end of 2016 there were 3,011 members in Canada.

Australia

ACCA has an office in Sydney and holds exams in major cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane.

ACCA members are not eligible to be registered company auditors as of right.^[49]CPA Australia and Institute of Public Accountants recognise ACCA qualification as sufficient to obtain a skill assessment as an Accountant for the purposes of immigration.^{[citation needed]} The Tax Practitioners Board accredited ACCA as a recognised tax agent association and as a recognised BAS agent association on 12 May 2010.Member | IFAC

Subject to passing exams in Australian tax and law, ACCA members may obtain the equivalent level of membership from the Institute of Public Accountants.^{[citation needed]}

New Zealand

ACCA member, affiliate and student activities in New Zealand are managed by its office in Australia, supported by Network Panel members based in Auckland and Wellington as well as member advocates based in Christchurch.

With the merger of Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia (ICAA) and the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants in December 2014, the newly created 'Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)' became the sole national accountancy body in New Zealand, which is in a strategic alliance with the ACCA.^[50]

At the end of 2016 there were 502 members in New Zealand.

Kenya

ACCA is recognised in Kenya and has an office in the country. Some universities offer ACCA.^{[citation needed]}

Namibia

ACCA was awarded full and unconditional accreditation status as a professional body in Namibia by the statutory Public Accountants' and Auditors' Board (PAAB) on 24 November 2016. The PAAB is a statutory body established to oversee the profession and maintain a register of persons entitled to work or practise as public accountants or public auditors in Namibia.^{[citation needed]}

South Africa

Although ACCA holds recognition for statutory tax purposes,^[52] it has no agreement with any accountancy body in South Africa, while ICAEW, ICAS and CA Ireland have agreements with South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.On the 6th of July 2023 ,The Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors , formally accredited the ACCA as an additional route for future members to attain the Registered Auditor in South Africa.Only members of the ACCA and South African Institute of Chartered Accountants can carry out External Audits in the country from the 1st of April 2024.

Zimbabwe

ACCA Zimbabwe is one of the constituent bodies of the Public Accountants and Auditors Board (PAAB). The PAAB is a statutory body established in 1996 to oversee the profession and maintain a register of persons entitled to work or practise as public accountants or public auditors in Zimbabwe. Only ACCA members in good standing and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe can register as auditors.

China

ACCA entered China in late 1980s, and has developed its China base rapidly in recent years. It has entered into agreements with 41 Chinese Universities, many of which are leading in the disciplines of finance and accounting as well as having excellent academic reputations in a wider range of subjects. The most well known institutions include Tsinghua University, Xiamen University, Central University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Xi'an Jiaotong University and Sun Yat-Sen University.

As of early 2024, ACCA had 29,000 members and 148,000 students in China, with 11 offices in Beijing, Changsha, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shenyang, Qingdao, Wuhan, Hong Kong SAR, and Macau SAR.^[53]

Hong Kong

An Agreement of Recognition Arrangement (ARA) between ACCA and Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA; local statutory accountancy body) was put in place on 22 August 2006, backdated to 1 July 2005. This was less flexible than the previous rule.

The old agreement was terminated on 30 June 2005 forcing ACCA members to accept the so-called "8 unfair terms" e.g., hold a degree recognised by HKICPA, work under HKICPA authorised employers, attend workshops and pass HKICPA's Final Professional Examination (FPE), etc.

This notwithstanding, HKICPA members could join in ACCA without any further requirement.

The ACCA qualification is highly accepted by the Hong Kong employment market. Most HKICPA members qualified through a joint scheme with Hong Kong Society of Accountants (HKSA) which operated for more than 20 years. HKSA later became HKICPA.^[48]

At the end of 2016 there were 18,238 members and over 8,000 students in Hong Kong.

India

UK qualified students are eligible for exemptions in the following papers of the CMA qualification (2012 syllabus) offered by The Institute of Cost Accountants of India:^[54]

Foundation: Complete exemption.

Intermediate:

Paper 5- Financial Accounting

Paper 6 - Laws, Ethics & Governance

Paper 8-Cost Accounting and Financial Management

Paper 10- Cost and Management Accountancy

Paper 12- Company Accounts and Audit

Final:

Paper 14- Advanced Financial Management

Paper 15- Business Strategy and Strategic Cost Management

Paper 17- Strategic Performance Management

Paper 18- Corporate Financial Reporting

Paper 20- Financial Analysis and Business Valuation

In 2021, ACCA India organized a nationwide 'Financial Literacy Drive' for children. The programme was delivered with the help of ACCA members in India

Macau

ACCA currently is legally recognised with the joint scheme relationships by Macau Society of Certified Practising Accountants (local statutory accountancy body) in Macau.^{[citation needed]}

Malaysia

On 13 August 2007, ACCA and the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) signed an MRA that provided a route for members to join the other body.^[48] The ACCA or Chartered Certified Accountant qualification, along with 10 other professional accounting qualifications,^[55] is recognised by the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA). MIA also recognises 21 Malaysian university qualifications as a prerequisite for registration as a chartered accountant in Malaysia. Only MIA members qualify as accountants in Malaysia under the Accountants Act, 1967.

ACCA is statutorily recognised in Part II of the First Schedule of the Accountants Act, 1967. Therefore, ACCA qualification is eligible to be admitted as MIA member, which then opens the opportunity to practice as a public accountant (audit firm). One has to attend MIA public practice programme and then apply for audit approval and passed the audit approval interview. ^[56]

At the end of 2016 there were 12,521 members and 42,000 students in Malaysia.

Nepal

From 2014, Tribhuwan University has recognized ACCA (after full membership) as equivalent to bachelor's degree if pursued after intermediate level.^[57]

Pakistan

The ACCA qualification confers the Qualified Company Secretary designation in Pakistan. ACCA and the local statutory accounting body Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) offer partial recognition of each other.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan recognises ACCA members qualifications as equal to master's degree in Commerce (MCom). ICAP also awards some exemptions to ACCA affiliates.

On 4 December 2014, ACCA and ICMAP (Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan) signed an MOU to enhance the existing academic recognition arrangements between the two accounting bodies. This MoU shall facilitate students and members of ACCA and ICMA Pakistan to earn dual qualification and membership on a fast track basis.^[58]

At the end of 2016, there were 3,843 members and over 37,000 students in Pakistan.^{[citation needed]}

Singapore

In Singapore, holders of ACCA had until 31 December 2016 and existing students have until 31 December 2018 to complete the ICPAS PAC and qualify for the Chartered Accountant of Singapore professional designation through the previous transitional arrangements.^[59][60][61]

Taiwan

According to rules 6(iii) & 9 of accountancy examination published by Taiwan government, ACCA members are entitled to obtain advanced standing in the examinations to become a Certified Public Accountant in Taiwan.

United Arab Emirates

In March 2014, ACCA signed a strategic partnership agreement with UAE's national accountancy body Accountants and Auditors Association (AAA) to help the latter develop a new Chartered Accountant qualification nationwide. The exams will be held jointly, and successful graduates will gain both ACCA and UAE's new Chartered Accountants' qualifications - the UAECA (United Arab Emirates Chartered Accountant).^[48]

Skyline University College is the first ACCA Gold Approved Learning institute in the UAE. ^[62]