Utilising ACCA research, technical expertise, and member perspectives to consultations and policy discussions affecting accounting, sustainability, governance, and the wider profession.
About ACCA Public Affairs Europe
With a diverse community of over 14,000 members and over 14,000 future members in the Americas, ACCA Public Affairs works across North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean to strengthen the accountancy profession and ensure the voice and expertise of finance professionals contribute to sound and effective public policy facing the profession.
Working with governments, regulators, professional bodies, international organisations and other stakeholders, we build relationships that support recognition of the ACCA Qualification, strengthen the profession and contribute to resilient, sustainable economies.
Our regional engagement connects ACCA's global expertise with local priorities. We bring insight, evidence, and the experience of our global membership to discussions shaping the future of business, finance and the public sector across the Americas.
ACCA public affairs work across the Americas includes regional coordination combined with deep local market expertise. From Washington DC, the Public Affairs team works closely with colleagues across North America, the Caribbean and Latin America to engage policy makers, regulators, standard setters and other stakeholders on the issues shaping the future of the accountancy profession.
Our public affairs engagement
ACCA works to engage with policymakers and stakeholders across the Americas on issues affecting the profession, our members and the economies in which they work.
Our work focuses on five interconnected priorities:
Advancing recognition of international professional qualifications and supporting greater mobility for skilled finance professionals.
International education standards are a global baseline for accountancy education, and we advocate for their adoption throughout the region.
Supporting stronger public financial management, professionalisation of public-sector finance, and the adoption and implementation of international good practice.
International public sector accounting standards (IPSAS) enhance transparency, accountability, and increase the quality of financial reporting within the public sector and we advocate for its adoption throughout the region.
Supporting the development and implementation of high-quality, internationally aligned sustainability reporting and assurance framework.
As a capacity building partner for the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), we advocate for the adoption of IFRS S1 and S2 around the region and work to upskill the accounting and finance profession.
Working with governments, employers, and other stakeholders on the skills, capabilities, and talent policies needed to develop a resilient and future-ready profession.
Across these priorities, ACCA contributes evidence to policy development, convene stakeholders, and share global good practice. We seek to be a trusted partner to policymakers and to ensure the accountancy profession contributes meaningfully to economic and societal progress across the region.
Shaping policy: key developments
Our policy engagement focuses on the issues where the accountancy profession can make a significant contribution to stronger economies and public institutions.
We engage directly with policymakers, regulators, standard setters, and regional institutions, drawing on ACCA research, global perspectives, and the experience of our membership.
Technology, sustainability, changing workforce expectations and new business models are reshaping the skills required of finance professionals.
ACCA works with policymakers, employers, educators and professional stakeholders to help strengthen talent pipelines and ensure finance professionals have the skills and capabilities needed for the future.
Our work includes:
Convening policymakers and employers on skills and talent. Across North America and Latin America, ACCA has brought together policymakers, chambers of commerce, business associations, regulators, academics and other stakeholders to explore the talent policies, skills and education needed to build a strong, inclusive and future-ready profession.
Expanding access to professional education in Guyana. ACCA’s Foundations in Accountancy has been incorporated into the Government of Guyana’s Online Academy of Learning, enabling eligible students to access the programme through fully funded government scholarships and helping to strengthen the country’s future finance talent pipeline.
Building sustainability capabilities in Trinidad and Tobago. In partnership with the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, ACCA developed Accounting for Emissions: An Accountant’s Guide to Measuring Carbon Footprints, providing practical guidance to help accountants and finance professionals build the skills needed to support organisational climate action.
Strong public financial management helps governments make effective use of public resources, strengthen accountability and transparency, and deliver better outcomes for citizens.
ACCA works with governments, professional accountancy organisations, regional institutions and development partners across the Caribbean to strengthen public-sector finance capability, support professionalisation and advance the adoption and implementation of international standards, including IPSAS.
Our work includes:
Bringing public-sector finance leaders together. ACCA convenes governments, professional accountancy organisations, regional bodies and finance leaders to share good practice in public financial management, promote international standards and strengthen public-sector capability. Initiatives include the Caribbean Virtual Public Sector Conference and other continuing professional development programmes.
Supporting IPSAS implementation in the Turks and Caicos Islands. ACCA provided technical support to the Turks and Caicos Islands National Insurance Board, including a diagnostic assessment, IPSAS implementation planning, policy and procedure development, and capacity building to support its transition.
ACCA engages governments and policymakers in Ontario on the ability of internationally qualified finance professionals to contribute fully to the Canadian economy.
Our work focuses on reducing unnecessary barriers to professional mobility, supporting the effective use of international talent and ensuring globally qualified accountants can bring their skills, qualifications and experience to Canadian employers.
Through direct engagement with government and other stakeholders, ACCA advocates for a regulatory environment that maintains high professional standards while enabling internationally qualified professionals to participate fully in Ontario’s workforce.
ACCA also engages with the Canadian federal government on issues related to professional mobility and talent issues, as well as monitoring
Events and engagements
Throughout the Americas, ACCA brings together policymakers, regulators, business leaders, development partners, professional bodies, and finance professionals to discuss the issues shaping the profession and the wider economy.
Our engagement includes policy roundtables, government and stakeholder meetings, conferences, webinars, technical discussions, and collaborative initiatives with partners.
These conversations allow us to listen to local priorities, share ACCA's global research and expertise, hear directly from stakeholders and members, and build partnerships that benefit the local and global community.