ACCA membership growth tops 5% as employers back qualification to ‘deliver complete finance professionals.’

ACCA membership growth tops 5% as employers back qualification to ‘deliver complete finance professionals.’

An increase of more than five per cent in member numbers means that ACCA’s (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) world-wide membership has grown by 11,530 new members to over 178,000 in the past year. 

Commenting on the impressive figures, released today, ACCA’s chief executive, Helen Brand OBE said: “The demand for professional, ethical accountants is on the rise right across the world and ACCA is committed to continued delivery of a qualification that reflects this global requirement.”

The global body for professional accountants also recorded 455,000 students, of which 397,000 were studying for the ACCA Qualification in 2014-15. This represents an increase of over 12,000 on the previous year and cements ACCA’s position as the number one accountancy body operating worldwide.

ACCA’s membership growth rate, the highest of any of the international accounting bodies at 5.1%, is backed by a 98.3% retention rate among existing members. 

ACCA’s growth is also backed by positive feedback from businesses and learning providers on the relevance of the qualification, as Helen Brand explains: "It is enormously encouraging that 82% of employers think ACCA delivers complete finance professionals.

"Our qualification ensures ACCA students finish their studies fully equipped to enter the world of work and it is vitally important that employers from all sectors and industries are aware of the benefits associated with employing qualified ACCA professionals.

“To also hear that 89% of learning providers who teach more than one professional accountancy qualification would recommend ACCA to prospective students is very welcome news.”