ACCA celebrates 120 years and counting

Founded in London by a group of eight accountants in 1904, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), has since grown into a global network of more than 252,500 members and 526,000 future members across 180 countries.

ACCA president Ayla Majid stated that, “By staying true to our founding value of inclusion, ACCA has become a truly global organisation, working for the public good. When ACCA was founded in 1904, nobody could have predicted how much we’d achieve. Our story has been one of innovation and growth. But above all, it is a story of more people’s careers launched, lives transformed, and many dreams come true.”

“We have an amazing community of talented and committed members around the world undertaking successful careers and making positive and sustainable impact on countless businesses, organisations and communities, creating huge benefits for the global economy.”

The election of Ayla Majid to the office of president at the recent AGM, along with Melanie Proffitt as deputy president and Datuk Zaiton Mohd Hassan as vice president, makes this the first time in ACCA’s history that women have held all three officer posts at the same time. It is another milestone for the professional accountancy body, which was the first to admit women to membership in 1909.

“2024 has truly been a landmark year for us. In May, our membership numbers exceeded a quarter of a million. In September, we launched our new Professional Diploma in Sustainability,” said Helen Brand OBE, chief executive of ACCA. “And earlier this month we were recognised with a special nomination in the international category of the UN Trade and Development, which recognised our work to improve reporting and skills capacity building on sustainability.”

To Quoc Hung, country manager of ACCA Vietnam, shared, “ACCA’s 120-year journey is a testament to the transformative power of purpose, vision, and resilience. As custodians of this legacy, we stand on the shoulders of pioneers who dared to dream of a more inclusive and innovative profession. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering individuals, shaping ethical leaders, and contributing to a sustainable future. This milestone is not just a celebration of our past achievements, but a clarion call to reimagine the possibilities of tomorrow.”

Some impressive photos throughout ACCA's history:

Council members of ACCA in 1923. Photo: ACCA Vietnam

Queen Elizabeth II's visit to ACCA’s headquarters in 2004. Photo: ACCA Vietnam

ACCA Members Wall of Honour celebrating ACCA’s achievement of 200,000-plus global membership in 2017. Photo: ACCA Vietnam

Helen Brand OBE, chief executive of ACCA, at the ACCA Asia Pacific Dialogue 2024 held in Hanoi in May. Photo: ACCA Vietnam

ACCA New Member Ceremony 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City in October. Photo: ACCA Vietnam

ACCA New Member Ceremony 2024 in Hanoi in October. Photo: ACCA Vietnam

Overview of the MoU signing ceremony between ACCA and PwC in November. Photo: ACCA Vietnam

Transforming accountancy with sustainability and ESG leadership ACCA and PwC Vietnam signed an MoU on November 22 in Hanoi to collaborate on implementing global standards in Vietnam.

ACCA Asia Pacific Dialogue raises conversations on a sustainable future The ACCA Asia Pacific Dialogue 2024 held in Hanoi on May 28-29 aims to foster a platform for innovative thinking and strategic dialogue among key stakeholders in the accounting and finance sector, focusing on sustainable finance, digital transformation, and regulatory developments, reflecting the most pressing trends and challenges in the region.

ACCA and vocational colleges to enhance business training The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) signed MoUs with Hanoi Vocational College of Technolgy, and Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism on May 29.

State Audit Office of Vietnam and ACCA strengthen partnership for sustainable development The meeting between the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) on October 7 marks a pivotal step in strengthening their practical partnership, while offering an opportunity to explore expanding collaboration in the financial sector to support economic growth and national prosperity in Vietnam.

ACCA welcomes 116 new members in Vietnam The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) held a new member ceremony on October 23 and 24 themed “Driving Progress - Leading Change” in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

ACCA supports SMEs in meeting sustainability reporting standards At VIR's sustainable development conference on November 12, To Quoc Hung, country manager at ACCA Vietnam, committed to supporting the development of a green workforce in driving the green-digital transition within small- and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam.

ACCA urges businesses to prioritise climate resilience as COP29 summit opens The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) unveiled its latest report on November 11 titled "Weathering the storm: Building resilience against climate disruptions", exposing widespread neglect of climate risks as many organisations fail to update business continuity plans or invest in resilience measures.