It’s the time of the year when we look back on how far we’ve come in the last 12 months and look ahead to what the next might hold in store.

If we could choose just a couple of words to sum up those elements – they would be ‘pride’ and ‘excitement.’

2025 was another year when the ACCA community made an enormous contribution to businesses and organisations across the world, driving forward the prosperous, positive, sustainable future we all want to see.

This was in action at engagements all around the world in 2025, where members and future members shared their experiences and that powerful sense of pride and community.

This year hasn’t been easy. The world continues to endure conflict, turmoil in global trade, environmental crises and migration emergencies.

We also see enormous changes in the way we do business – which can be positive but remain challenging nonetheless – arising from the advance of technology, especially AI, and the growing influence of the sustainability agenda.

ACCA responds by leading the accountancy profession in tackling these challenges. We do it on the international stage by influencing governments and decision makers in the areas where we make the biggest difference. They are described in our Global policy priorities:

• Bridging the accountancy skills gap
• Driving sustainable business
• Championing the professional accountant.

Our work in the coming year will be shaped by our strategy especially our ‘Accountancy redefined' agenda, which highlights how the profession is changing and challenges outdated perceptions. This is an important theme for Melanie as she represents members and future members at events around the world. In the first couple of months in post she has already taken the message to Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya and China – with many more events to come in the new year.

‘Accountancy redefined’ is a golden example of ACCA leading into the future. That duty to lead is so important to us. We are the only truly global professional accountancy body, and we are keenly aware of the responsibility that status brings. It is our aim to bring people together around a progressive vision for the future, and there are so many ways in which we do that. Two annual examples are our agenda-setting global Accounting for the Future conference, and our influential Virtual Public Sector conference.

2026 will also be a year when excitement grows around our redesigned ACCA Qualification. The first exam sittings follow in 2027, and we already sense rising anticipation in the education community, among potential students, and for employers who have played a major role in shaping the content and in ensuring that ACCA education meets the needs of the moment. It is another example of ACCA leading into the future, and will protect and boost your reputation as an ACCA member.

We also look forward with to our new BSc (Hons) Professional Accountancy programme with the University of London, which gives a new opportunity for students to gain a degree as they study for their accountancy qualification, enabling people to achieve an academic and a professional qualification.

We would like to end this message with a reminder of the wealth of ACCA resources that are available to you, wherever and whenever you want them.

In a changed world it’s never been more important for professional accountants to keep their skills razor-sharp, and your membership brings instant access to a vast array of learning and training; research and CPD; and student support. There is much more to come in 2026, especially in the critical areas of AI and tech.

You can also plan the next steps of your professional journey at ACCA Careers, and via the best jobs board in the world, or at the virtual careers fairs we stage throughout the year.

It’s a reminder of a key priority for us which never changes, regardless of what the world throws at us - and that is employability – and ensuring that ACCA members are always first choice for the most exciting and best rewarded career opportunities across the world.

This is a great time to be an accountant and a great time to be a member of ACCA. 2026 is year of enormous promise, and we will continue to meet the purpose that has motivated us since we were founded in 1904 – to serve as a force for public good and to lead the global accountancy profession by creating opportunity, inspired by the values of inclusion, integrity and innovation.

Many thanks to you all. May we wish you and your families a prosperous, happy and healthy 2026.

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ACCA News Room
E: newsroom@accaglobal.com
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About ACCA

We are ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), the only truly global professional accountancy body. Since we were founded in 1904, we’ve been breaking down barriers to the accountancy profession. Today we proudly support a diverse community of over 257,900 members and 530,100 future members in 180 countries.
We’re redefining accountancy. Our cutting-edge qualifications, continuous learning and insights are respected and valued by employers in every sector. They equip individuals with the business and finance expertise and ethical judgment to lead and drive sustainable value in organisations and economies worldwide.
Guided by our purpose and values, we’re leading the accountancy profession for a changed world. Partnering with policymakers, standard setters, the donor community, educators and other accountancy bodies, we’re strengthening and building a profession that focuses on people, planet and prosperity to create value for all. 

Find out more at: www.accaglobal.com