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ACCA qualified accountants have completed a rigorous programme of examinations and practical work experience before attaining Chartered Certified Accountant status. An ACCA accountant will therefore be well qualified to deliver the service required.

ACCA members work in public practice, in industry, financial services or the public sector and have the designatory letters ACCA or FCCA after their names.

Practitioners must have at least five years' practical experience and have successfully completed further tests before they are licensed by ACCA to offer their services to the public and businesses.

In 1 January 2005, ACCA introduced a new continuing professional development (CPD) requirement for its members. ACCA expects its members to meet a global standard of development, and approach their work in a responsible and ethical manner. The CPD scheme requires members to confirm that they are maintaining or developing appropriate knowledge and skills, and that they are also maintaining and developing their professional ethics as appropriate.

The new scheme recognises diversity in the roles of members and there are a number of ways to meet the requirements. In addition, ACCA has developed a range of products and services to assist members; full information can be found at ACCA Realise .

ACCA members who are participating in the scheme are required to complete an annual CPD return and retain evidence of their activity. All ACCA members in public practice already complete CPD on an annual basis and, by 1 January 2007, the same will apply to all ACCA members who are active in the workplace.

As ACCA also insists on the highest standard of ethical and professional conduct from all members, it will investigate and deal with complaints about members. It is required to supply details of its regulatory processes to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment (DETE).

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