ACCA Global Public Sector Advocate of the Year 2025
We celebrate the members who are driving change and making a real impact in the public sector. Through the ACCA Public Sector Advocacy Awards, we shine a spotlight on those who embody our values of inclusion, integrity, and innovation – and who turn ideas into action.
ACCA Public Sector Qualifications: empowering finance leaders and their governments
We work with public sector leaders worldwide to understand the sector’s challenges and trends.
Our public sector qualifications build capability at every career stage – enhancing expertise, improving decision-making, and boosting efficiency – with a focus on sustainability, deep technical knowledge of public financial management, and global standards like IPSASB – so finance professionals and organisations can deliver lasting value for the public good.
Some of our qualifications include:
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The ACCA Qualification
ACCA qualified accountants in the public sector transform the finance capabilities of their organisations through their in-depth skills.
The ACCA Qualification has a strong focus on professional values, governance and ethics.
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Professional Diploma in Sustainability
The Professional Diploma in Sustainability delivers over 50 hours of flexible learning through four certificates covering sustainability frameworks, ethics, strategy, reporting, and assurance — culminating in an integrated case-study exam to equip professionals with essential skills for sustainable decision-making and strategic impact.
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Foundations in Accountancy and the CAT Qualification
Foundations in Accountancy provides employees with a grounding in accounting and finance.
Ideally suited to developing recruits from secondary schools or to encourage existing employees to obtain formal recognition of their abilities, there are no formal entry requirements.
Learn more about Foundations in Accountancy and the CAT Qualification
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Certificate in International Public Sector Accounting Standards (Cert IPSAS)
The ACCA Certificate in International Public Sector Accounting Standards (Cert IPSAS) is designed for professional accountants and auditors with a background in national accounting standards or IFRS. This certificate provides a practical introduction to IPSAS®, equipping you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the challenges of implementing these standards in a public sector context.
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Certificate in Public Financial Management (Cert PFM)
The ACCA Certificate in Public Financial Management will transform the finance capabilities of your organisation. By delivering the public finance knowledge, skills and ethical values needed by organisations like yours, our certificate will help you build financial capability and assess your employees. Online course delivery ensures maximum flexibility for your organisation.
ACCA public sector CPD
Find public sector courses and learning to support your career development
ACCA in the Public Sector
Policy Influence and Reach
ACCA is represented on 18 external bodies where we engage with global standard-setters and policy bodies to support governments in delivering transparent, accountable, and sustainable public finance, providing insights, guidance, and standards that drive better decision-making and public value.
Connect with our global Public Affairs Network who are dedicated to advancing policy initiatives that empower professionals, drive ethical leadership, and foster sustainable economies.
Sustainability
Sustainability and transparency are central to effective public governance. Our Track Your Progress insights help governments strengthen reporting, integrate sustainability into planning, and deliver decision‑useful disclosures. ACCA informs global standards, from EU Omnibus reforms to IPSASB guidance, shaping public sector reporting for the future.
Annual Virtual Public Sector Conference
Our virtual public sector conferences bring together finance leaders and professionals to explore the critical issues, emerging trends, and evolving skills shaping the future of public financial management.
Past conferences
2025 Virtual Public Sector Conference
Five separate 1-hour webcasts, earn free CPD, while you hear from leading public sector voices from around the world as they explore public sector leadership, data-driven spending decisions, net-zero ambitious, the talent crunch and countering fraud.
Sector insights
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2026 Global Economic Outlook: Steady, but fragile global growth
The global economy looks set to expand steadily in 2026, but the backdrop remains fragile. Elevated uncertainty, fragmentation and financial risk are reshaping how organisations, professionals and policymakers plan for the future.
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Career paths reimagined. The changing world of work
The future career paths of accountancy professionals will be less linear and more flexible, finds our latest report which explores eight significant drivers changing the world of work.
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A global guide for professionalisation in public sector finance
Produced jointly by ACCA and IFAC, this provides a global definition of professionalisation in public finance and articulates the benefits of professionalisation for the government, the economy and individual finance professionals.
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Sustainability reporting: track your progress to create decision-useful information
Insights on how business operations impact stakeholders are imperative for organisations to be resilient and thrive. As such, interconnected sustainability and financial information is no longer optional – it’s essential.
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Public trust in tax 2025: Asia and beyond
Produced jointly by ACCA, IFAC, CA ANZ and the OECD, this study captures the views of more than 12,000 individuals across 29 countries, primarily in Asia, but also in Latin America, Western Europe and the Anglophone Pacific.
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ACCA: Recommendations for ASEAN
In support of ASEAN’s long-term vision for regional competitiveness and integration, this paper sets out ACCA’s policy recommendations to ASEAN policy-makers, regulators and business leaders.
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Leading with a purpose: finance professionals navigating the public sector through difficult times
This report highlights the major challenges facing finance leaders in the public sector and explores the ways in which they can lead with purpose to build public trust and support the delivery of effective public services.
