related documents
Annual review
The 2007 annual review highlights how ACCA supports the growth and development of international business – the way in which we provide employers around the world with international accountants with relevant skills and experience. This is demonstrated by the calibre of our membership which includes international leaders in accounting and business, and our consistent promotion of the benefits of international standards in accounting and finance.
Achievements in 2007
In 2007, we enjoyed significant achievements which drive value both to ACCA members and to the wider accountancy profession. As a result, we are making good progress towards our 2010 goal to be the world's leading global professional accountancy body by reputation, influence and size.
Increased membership to meet global demand
We continue to pursue a strategy of focused growth, to play our role in meeting the global demand for accountants trained to international standards. Our member growth in 2007, at 6.1% and with a total increase of 7,081, was our strongest to date.
Engaging with our members
We have also targeted improvements in areas which members have identified as being of chief importance to them, such as contributing to the development of the profession, investing in resources to support professional development, and increasing our influence in public policy. We are delighted to note that members who responded to our global satisfaction survey rated ACCA's performance in these areas as having improved over the past year – and as a result, our overall member satisfaction score has gone up. And three-quarters of members who responded to our survey have recommended ACCA to a friend or colleague – a powerful endorsement.
Enhancing reputation and influence on the global stage
An event of special significance in 2007 was the presentation by former US Vice President Al Gore at an exclusive ACCA event in Hong Kong, at which he set out ways in which accountants can contribute towards the sustainability agenda, one in which ACCA has played a substantial role since 1991. This formed part of a series of 38 events in 23 countries on professionalism and ethics, which heralded the launch of the new ACCA Qualification, examined for the first time in December 2007.
We also championed financial reporting for small and medium-sized businesses and their advisers, inputting widely into public policy on financial reporting requirements and conducting roundtables with small business leaders in nine markets.
To support these developments, considerable investment has been made in IT and operational infrastructure in 2007, alongside measures to make sure ACCA is efficient and effective, and able to meet demand from all stakeholders.
Global accountancy partnerships
Council is especially proud of ACCA's global accountancy partnerships, which aim to add value to accountants in their careers. During 2007, we renewed a number of key Joint Examination Schemes with professional accountancy bodies in Belize, Cyprus, Malta and Singapore. We have also strengthened our partnerships in many countries and worked with other organisations to deliver new, value-added services to members.
We continue to work closely with partners to deliver our core qualifications. We are delighted to note that, through the unique partnership with Oxford Brookes University, the 5,000th ACCA student graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting in 2007, and, working with Cambridge English for Speakers of Other Languages, the first examinations were held for the new International Certificate in Financial English.
Future strategy
Work has already commenced on a strategy beyond 2010, based on modelling developments in accounting which are likely to have an impact in future years. To succeed, we believe ACCA will need to continue to focus on providing opportunity to talented people around the world, achieve high global standards, and ensure that everything we do is relevant to our members in the countries where they live and work. These principles will guide us as we continue to develop and innovate to ensure that accounting supports the needs of business and sustainable economic development in all countries and sectors where professional accountancy is practised.
Gill Ball, ACCA President
Allen Blewitt, Chief Executive