The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants qualification is gaining popularity in India, according to Helen Brand, the body's chief executive officer.
In an interview with The Financial Express, Brand said more and more global corporate houses and multinational companies which set up offices in the country seek ACCA qualification among their applicants. This is particularly true in the fields of management and financial accounting, risk advisory, and taxation.
The ACCA qualification is open for chartered accountants, commerce students or graduates, and finance professionals, with a requirement to complete a maximum of 13 exams, depending on prior experience and qualifications and have three years of practical work experience within a relevant role.
Upon completing ACCA qualification, one becomes an ACCA member, who can work anywhere in the world.
The qualification also improves career progression for working professionals as they gain the potential to earn a higher salary and qualify to work anywhere. In addition, Brand said there is flexibility in career choices in financial services and public practice.
Meanwhile, in a separate interview with India's The Economic Times, Brand said there is a need to "supercharge" the accountancy profession amid a lack of accountants in all economies. Although this is still "okay", as Brand noted, she warns that this could result in a major issue in five years.
Brand said there is a challenge about attractiveness in the accountancy profession because of current alternative opportunities in the fields of digital and consultancy space, along with tighter regulations particularly in auditing.
