ACCA met with Commissioner Michael McGrath, responsible for democracy, justice and the rule of law, to discuss upcoming EU initiatives that will shape the future of the profession. The conversation focused on the forthcoming 28th EU regime for innovative companies - an opportunity to help SMEs and SMPs scale across Europe through a fully digital, harmonised framework.

ACCA reiterated its support for the initiative, building on its consultation response from last September, and stressed the need for EU investment in skills to drive the green and digital transitions. The Commission is expected to table the proposal – which will probably be branded “EU Inc” – in March 2026, with scope potentially covering insolvency, labour law and elements of tax.

ACCA also met senior officials from the cabinet of Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque to discuss key files shaping the profession. Discussions covered potential EU audit supervision reform and the implementation of the Sustainability Omnibus Package, including the revised CSRD, ESRS and future assurance standards. Follow the latest developments on this topic with ACCA’s regularly updated Q&A on the EU Sustainability Omnibus package.

Following ACCA’s high level conference Empowering Accountancy: Bridging Talent and Skills for Enhanced EU Competitiveness, which gathered over 300 EU policymakers, practitioners, academics and stakeholders, ACCA has published a White Paper with ten policy recommendations to strengthen Europe’s talent pipeline.

Developed with the European Accounting Association (EAA) and aligned with the priorities of the Danish EU Council Presidency, the paper underscores the importance of quality education, lifelong learning and workforce mobility to meet the demands of the green and digital transitions. The strong engagement at the conference highlights the urgency of addressing Europe’s skills and talent challenges. Join our conversation on LinkedIn and let us know what actions should Europe prioritise to empower the profession and boost competitiveness.

ACCA, ICPAC and the University of Cyprus are hosting AI Strategies for a Competitive Europe: Empowering the Finance and Accounting Professions on 19 March under the patronage of the Cyprus EU Presidency. The conference will examine how AI can strengthen Europe’s competitiveness through innovation, accountability, and a fair digital and climate neutral transition.

Speakers from EU institutions, academia, business and the profession will explore capability gaps, upskilling needs and practical implementation of the AI Act. The event will conclude with a White Paper outlining concrete policy actions to build a skilled, trusted and competitive AI ecosystem. Registration is now open.

ACCA Ireland will host the 2026 annual conference of the European Federation of Accountants & Auditors for SMEs and SMPs. The event offers a platform to spotlight the challenges facing SMPs in Ireland and across Europe, and to discuss solutions with professional bodies and senior EU and national policymakers.

Key topics will include the impact of the IESBA Code of Ethics - featuring IESBA Chair Gabriela Figueiredo - and the role of small and medium-sized accounting practices supporting SMEs and Europe's competitiveness agenda.

Across every development this month, the message is clear: Europe needs dedicated, easy to access funding to equip the profession for AI, sustainability and regulatory change, and to secure the talent that drives SME growth and economic resilience. ACCA urges EU policymakers to back Europe’s competitiveness by investing in the full skills pipeline - financial literacy in schools, market ready training in universities, and accessible upskilling for professionals.