Account Analysis
Account Analysis
An accounting analyst evaluates public company financial statements. Public companies issue these (10-
K) annual financial statements as required by the Security and Exchange Commission. The statements
include the balance sheet, the income statement, the statement of cash flows and the notes to the
financial statements. Specifically, the notes to the financial statements contain considerable quantitative
detail supporting the financial statements along with narrative information.
Description
This individual has extensive training in understanding financial accounting principles for public
companies based on generally accepted accounting principles as provided by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board. Or, they may have additional experience in applying international accounting standards
based on the rules put out by the International Accounting Standards Board.
As an example, the accounting analyst may work for a financial research company evaluating differing
financial accounting principles and how they influence the company's reported wealth.
Founded in 1904, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is the global professional
accounting body offering the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification (ACCA). It is the fourth-largest
professional accounting body in the world, with 252,500 members and 526,000 future members. ACCA's
headquarters are in London with principal administrative office in Glasgow. ACCA works through a
network of over 110 offices and centres in 51 countries - with 346 Approved Learning Partners (ALP) and
more than 7,600 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide employee development.
The term 'Chartered' in ACCA qualification refers to the Royal Charter granted in 1974.
'Chartered Certified Accountant' is a legally protected term.[6] Individuals who describe themselves as
Chartered Certified Accountants must be members of ACCA and if they carry out public practice
engagements, must comply with additional regulations such as holding a practising certificate, carrying
liability insurance and submitting to inspections.
ACCA works in the public interest, ensuring that its members are appropriately regulated. It promotes
principles-based regulation. ACCA actively seeks to enhance the value of accounting in society through
international research. It takes progressive stances on global issues to ensure accountancy as a
profession continues to grow in reputation and influence.[citation needed]
History
ACCA traces its origin to 1904, when eight people formed the London Association of Accountants to
allow more open access to the profession than was available through the accounting bodies at the time,
notably the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS). As of 2020, the vision of ACCA is to develop the accountancy
profession the world needs.
1909: Ethel Ayres Purdie is elected as the first female associate member of an accounting professional
body.[8]
1917: London Association of Accountants is the first UK professional body to examine tax.
1930: London Association of Accountants successfully campaigned for the right to audit companies.
1939: Corporation of Accountants (Scottish body, founded 1891) merged with London Association of
Certified Accountants to become the Association of Certified and Corporate Accountants.
1941: Institution of Certified Public Accountants (founded 1903, and incorporating the Central
Association of Accountants from 1933) merged with Association of Certified and Corporate Accountants.
1971: Association of Certified and Corporate Accountants renamed Association of Certified Accountants.
1974: ACCA became one of six founding members of the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies
(CCAB).
1977: ACCA became a founding member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).
1995: ACCA members voted at an extraordinary general meeting to rename itself Association of
Chartered Public Accountants and to introduce the designation Chartered Public Accountant. The Privy
Council subsequently rejected this proposal over concerns about the term 'public'. It did however agree
that any accountancy body bearing a royal charter could use 'chartered' as part of its designation.
1996: Chartered Association of Certified Accountants renamed to Association of Chartered Certified
Accountants. Members are entitled to use the title Chartered Certified Accountant (Designatory letters
ACCA or FCCA). The Association of Authorised Public Accountants (AAPA) became a subsidiary of ACCA.
The organisation earned its first Queen's Award, for Export Achievement.
1998: ACCA's syllabus formed the basis of the United Nations' global accountancy curriculum titled
Guideline on National Requirements for the Qualification of Professional Accountants, published in 1999.
ACCA was a participant in the consultative group that devised this global Benchmark.
2001: ACCA received a Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade, recognising ACCA's growth
and its role in 160 countries worldwide.
2002: ACCA received its second Queen's Award for Enterprise in the space of 12 months, in the
Sustainable Development category. The award recognized ACCA's continuing work on social and
environmental issues.
2009: ACCA members allowed to provide probate services as of 1 August under Probate Services
(Approved Bodies) Order 2009 Number 1588.
2011 onward: ACCA is the first accountancy body to publish an integrated annual report.
2015: ACCA launched MSc in Professional Accountancy with the University of London.
2016: ACCA formed a strategic alliance with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ).
2017: ACCA reached over 700,000 members and students worldwide, with 208,000 fully qualified
members and 503,000 students in 178 countries. The AAPA was absorbed into the ACCA.
2018: ACCA introduced Strategic Professional – a new level of the ACCA Qualification.
Qualifications
The art deco Adelphi building from the 1930s, located at 1-10 John Adam Street in London, is the current
HQ of ACCA
The term Chartered Certified Accountant was introduced in 1996. Prior to that date, ACCA members
were known as Certified Accountant. It is still permissible for an ACCA member to use this term.
Members of ACCA with post-qualification experience of more than five years and have completed the
required continued professional development are designated Fellows, and use the designatory letters
FCCA in place of ACCA.
The term Chartered refers to the Royal Charter granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United
Kingdom.
Chartered Certified Accountants work in all fields of business and finance. Some are engaged in public
practice work, others work in the private sector and some are employed by government bodies.
Since Chartered Certified Accountant is a legally protected term,[citation needed] individuals who
describe themselves as such must be members of ACCA. If they carry out public practice engagements,
they must comply with additional regulations such as holding a practising certificate, being insured
against any possible liability claims and submitting to inspections.
Chartered Certified Accountant is the professional body's main qualification. Following completion of up
to 13 professional examinations, three years of supervised, relevant accounting experience and an ethics
module, it enables an individual to become a Chartered Certified Accountant. The ACCA professional
examinations are offered worldwide four times yearly in March, June, September and December as
paper-based and computer-based exams. On-demand computer-based exams (CBE) are also offered for
the first four exams (BT, MA, FA, LW), and Session CBEs for the rest (PM, TX, FR, AA, FM) which are
available to be taken at ACCA licensed exam centres.[9] A Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in
Applied Accounting (after completing the Fundamentals level of the exams, the Ethics and Professional
Skills module and submitting a Research and Analysis project), is offered in association with Oxford
Brookes University.
From September 2018 onward, the syllabus comprises 13 examinations and an Ethics and Professional
Skills module (EPSM),[10] although some exemptions are available.[11] In April 2019, a Data Analytics
unit was added in EPSM .
The qualification is structured in three modules, plus an Ethics and Professional Skills module and a
Professional Experience Requirement (PER).[12]
The Applied Knowledge level consists of 3 examinations:
MA - Management Accounting
FA - Financial Accounting
PM - Performance Management
TX - Taxation
FR - Financial Reporting
FM - Financial Management
The Strategic Professional level involves 4 examinations: 2 from Essential and any 2 from Options.
Options:
The ACCA full Professional qualification is regarded as the equivalent of a UK master's degree by the UK
NARIC and Department for Education.
Subjects include: Financial accounting, Management accounting, Financial reporting, Taxation, Company
law, Audit and assurance and Financial management.
In order to achieve a certificate for the exams completed students must also complete a foundation
ethics module called Foundations in Professionalism, but this only has to be completed once, even if a
student wishes to achieve both certificates and the diploma.
The Foundation-level exams are available as paper-based exams held in March, June, September and
December or as on-demand computer-based exams throughout the year at ACCA licensed exam centres.
Other qualifications
Global MBA (for full ACCA members), offered in association with Oxford Brookes University.[18]
Certificate in International Financial Reporting (Cert IFR), offered both in English[19] and Spanish.[20]
Diploma in International Financial Reporting (DipIFR), offered both in English[21] and Russian.[22]
Certificate in International Auditing (Cert IA), offered both in English[23] and Spanish.[24]
Certificate in International Public Sector Accounting Standards (Cert IPSAS), offered both in English[25]
and Arabic.[26]
Certificate in Business Valuations in partnership with the French Chartered Accountants Institute
(CSOEC), offered both in English[27] and French.[28]
Diploma in Financial Management (DipFM). This certification was previously known as the Certified
Diploma in Accounting and Finance (CDipAF), a financial qualification designed for managers outside of
finance. This qualification was replaced with Foundations in Accountancy awards at the end of 2011.
Disciplinary proceedings
ACCA students, affiliates and members are bound by ACCA rules and regulations. ACCA is able to take
disciplinary action (such as revoking ACCA qualification or exacting a fine) against them if they breach
ACCA rules. ACCA rules and regulations are governed by English and Welsh law and ACCA disciplinary
decisions can only be challenged in England and Wales.[29][30]
ACCA-X logo
Launched in early 2015, ACCA-X[31] are online courses for students starting their studies in accountancy
and business. These courses are available for the first seven Foundations level exams and hosted on edX,
with content developed by Epigeum.
In April 2016, ACCA-X won the Best eLearning and Online Education Award at the International and
European Association Awards held in Berlin, Germany.[32]
Free courses
The following courses are free and available to anyone in the world:
Introduction to Financial and Management Accounting (preparation for FA1[33] and MA1[34])
Intermediate Financial and Management Accounting (preparation for FA2[35] and MA2[36])
Paid courses
Exams passed in these three modules and the completion of 'Foundations in Professionalism' module
will lead to the Diploma in Accounting and Business.
Memberships
Affiliate
Upon successful completion of the examinations, student members transfer to Affiliate status.
"For ACCA affiliates to gain admission to full membership, they must demonstrate, on the application
form, that they have obtained a minimum of three years of acceptable, supervised, practical experience
in an accountancy role (or roles) and have reached the required standard of competence."[41]
Fellowship
From 2008, Fellowship, or senior membership of ACCA, is awarded automatically based on 5 years'
continuous membership, subject to compliance with Continuing Professional Development
requirements.[42] This practice is different to many other accounting bodies whose members may attain
senior memberships only after demonstrating outstanding achievement or contribution made to the
accounting profession or at large.[43][44]
Fellow members of ACCA use the designatory letters FCCA in place of ACCA.
Before 2005, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) was mandatory only for holders of 'Practicing
Certificate' and 'Insolvency Licence'. From 2005 to 2007, ACCA phased in mandatory CPD requirements
for all members.[45]
Europe
The ACCA or Chartered Certified Accountant qualification is fully recognised in both the United Kingdom
and Ireland.
It is a Designated Professional Body under the Financial Services and Markets Act, business activities.
It is a Recognised Professional Body under the Insolvency Act to issue permits to individual Chartered
Certified Accountants to conduct insolvency appointments.
It is also a Recognised Qualifying Body and Recognised Supervisory Body in relation to company auditing
under the Companies Act of 1989.
ACCA is a member of the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB). Members of these
bodies are deemed to hold equivalent-level qualifications and advertisements for jobs often state that an
organisation is looking for a CCAB-qualified individual.
Full members of CCAB organisations including ACCA could apply for ICAEW membership subject to
certain criteria.[46]
Only ACCA, ICAEW, ICAS, Association of International Accountants (AIA) and Chartered Accountants
Ireland (CA Ireland) are able to authorise members to conduct audit, insolvency and investment business
work in both the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Outside these countries, legal recognition by government authorities and mutual recognition by
equivalent overseas institutes, varies. Where full legal or mutual recognition is not available, ACCA
members can sometimes obtain advanced standing in terms of sitting local accountancy examinations.
ACCA's strong global reputation may make it unnecessary to acquire a local designation.
Similarly, many universities and educational providers recognise ACCA as equivalent to at least a
Bachelor's degree in accountancy, for the purpose of obtaining credit towards a local master's degree or
an advanced study program.
The Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) assigned ACCA Qualification to 'Level 8' of the Irish National
Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) in 2018. Level 8 holds Irish postgraduate qualifications, such as
postgraduate diplomas and master's degrees.[47]
In 2011, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC; then Professional Oversight Board) published information
for the first time about its concerns over self-regulation by particular institutes. Press reports highlighted
comments about ACCA, which had implemented recommendations to improve its examination syllabus,
but needed to pay greater attention to monitoring long-time members.[48] In 2011, 2012 and 2013 the
ACCA professional body had the highest percentage of A&B (best) outcomes from FRC's Recognised
Supervisory Body (RSB) visits to a sample of 'Registered UK Audit Firms'. ACCA firms tend to audit
smaller and less complex clients.
As of 2023 there were over 113,000 members and 72,000 students in the UK & Ireland.
The ACCA qualification is legally recognized by all member countries of the European Union under the
Mutual Recognition Directive. This recognition extends to the European Economic Area nations and
Switzerland. For example, a holder of the ACCA could practice as an accountant in all member countries
of the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland, describing himself/herself as ACCA or
Chartered Certified Accountant. Access to local professional qualifications requires a separate test.
At the end of 2016 there were over 16,000 members and almost 60,000 students in Europe (excluding
the UK & Ireland).
Turkey
ACCA and the Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants of Turkey (TÜRMOB) signed a
partnership agreement in 2004 which enables TÜRMOB members resident in Turkey to follow the ACCA
Strategic Professional level and achieve ACCA membership.
North America
United States
In June 2012, ACCA and Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) announced a strategic partnership.
The two bodies joined forces to empower accountants and financial professionals to drive business
performance. In January 2013, the ICMA Board of Regents, representing the certification division of IMA,
voted to waive its usual bachelor's degree requirement for ACCA members wishing to earn IMA's
Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential. The bachelor's degree waiver will allow all ACCA
members around the world, regardless of background, access to IMA's CMA credential. This is a benefit
to ACCA members who wish to have a US-based credential.[49]
There is no mutual recognition between ACCA and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
(AICPA)/National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).
Canada
ACCA announced a Mutual Recognition Agreement with Certified General Accountant (CGA Canada)
effective from 1 January 2007; renewed in 2011 for a further 5 years period until December 2017.[50] As
of 2006, Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA), World Education Services and the Odette
School of Business at the University of Windsor indicated that the evaluation recognized ACCA as having
the Canadian equivalence of a bachelor's degree (four years) in Accounting. The Canadian branch of
ACCA is pursuing recognition for statutory audit purposes in the province of Ontario under the province's
Public Accounting Act of 2004.
Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and Certified Management Accountants of Canada (CMA
Canada) announced a joint qualification 'Chartered Professional Accountant or CPA Designation', but
whether this designation will impinge on ACCA's application for recognition in Ontario is uncertain.
On 29 November 2012 the ACCA opened up legal proceedings against the CICA to operate in Canada,
complicated by the merger of the accounting profession in Canada, incorporating CICA, CMA Canada and
CGA to use 'Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)'. A 10-year transitional period requires all CPA
members to use CPA, 'legacy designation' rather than the newer designation. The merger completed in
2015.
Oceania
Australia
ACCA has an office in Sydney and holds exams in major cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth,
Adelaide and Brisbane.
ACCA members are not eligible to be registered company auditors as of right.[53]CPA Australia and
Institute of Public Accountants recognise ACCA qualification as sufficient to obtain a skill assessment as
an Accountant for the purposes of immigration.[citation needed] The Tax Practitioners Board accredited
ACCA as a recognised tax agent association and as a recognised BAS agent association on 12 May
2010.Member | IFAC
Subject to passing exams in Australian tax and law, ACCA members may obtain the equivalent level of
membership from the Institute of Public Accountants.[citation needed]
In June 2016, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Chartered Accountants
Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), announced a strategic alliance. ACCA members do not qualify to
become a full member of CA ANZ, additional requirements relating to residency and membership length
must be satisfied before CA ANZ membership may be granted.
At the end of 2016 there were 3,414 members and 1,721 students in Australia.
New Zealand
ACCA member, affiliate and student activities in New Zealand are managed by its office in Australia,
supported by Network Panel members based in Auckland and Wellington as well as member advocates
based in Christchurch.
With the merger of Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia (ICAA) and the New Zealand Institute of
Chartered Accountants in December 2014, the newly created 'Chartered Accountants Australia and New
Zealand (CA ANZ)' became the sole national accountancy body in New Zealand, which is in a strategic
alliance with the ACCA.[54]
The ACCA is an affiliate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean.[55] The ACCA
qualification is legally recognized in the French Guiana (Part of France and hence subject to European
Union regulations).
At the end of 2016 there were 4,857 members and 16,000 students in the Caribbean.
Africa
Kenya
ACCA is recognised in Kenya and has an office in the country. Some universities offer ACCA.[citation
needed]
Namibia
ACCA was awarded full and unconditional accreditation status as a professional body in Namibia by the
statutory Public Accountants' and Auditors' Board (PAAB) on 24 November 2016. The PAAB is a statutory
body established to oversee the profession and maintain a register of persons entitled to work or
practise as public accountants or public auditors in Namibia.[citation needed]
South Africa
Although ACCA holds recognition for statutory tax purposes,[56] it has no agreement with any
accountancy body in South Africa, while ICAEW, ICAS and CA Ireland have agreements with South African
Institute of Chartered Accountants.On the 6th of July 2023, the Independent Regulatory Board for
Auditors, formally accredited the ACCA as an additional route for future members to attain the
Registered Auditor in South Africa. Only members of the ACCA and South African Institute of Chartered
Accountants can carry out External Audits in the country from the 1st of April 2024.
Zimbabwe
ACCA Zimbabwe is one of the constituent bodies of the Public Accountants and Auditors Board (PAAB).
The PAAB is a statutory body established in 1996 to oversee the profession and maintain a register of
persons entitled to work or practise as public accountants or public auditors in Zimbabwe. Only ACCA
members in good standing and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe can register as auditors.
Asia
China
ACCA entered China in late 1980s, and has developed its China base rapidly in recent years. It has
entered into agreements with 41 Chinese Universities, many of which are leading in the disciplines of
finance and accounting as well as having excellent academic reputations in a wider range of subjects. The
most well known institutions include Tsinghua University, Xiamen University, Central University of
Finance and Economics, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Southwestern University of
Finance and Economics, Xi'an Jiaotong University and Sun Yat-Sen University.
As of early 2024, ACCA had 29,000 members and 148,000 students in China, with 11 offices in Beijing,
Changsha, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shenyang, Qingdao, Wuhan, Hong Kong SAR, and
Macau SAR.[57]
Hong Kong
An Agreement of Recognition Arrangement (ARA) between ACCA and Hong Kong Institute of Certified
Public Accountants (HKICPA; local statutory accountancy body) was put in place on 22 August 2006,
backdated to 1 July 2005. This was less flexible than the previous rule.
The old agreement was terminated on 30 June 2005 forcing ACCA members to accept the so-called "8
unfair terms" e.g., hold a degree recognised by HKICPA, work under HKICPA authorised employers,
attend workshops and pass HKICPA's Final Professional Examination (FPE), etc.
This notwithstanding, HKICPA members could join in ACCA without any further requirement.
The ACCA qualification is highly accepted by the Hong Kong employment market. Most HKICPA members
qualified through a joint scheme with Hong Kong Society of Accountants (HKSA) which operated for
more than 20 years. HKSA later became HKICPA.[50]
At the end of 2016 there were 18,238 members and over 8,000 students in Hong Kong.
India
UK qualified students are eligible for exemptions in the following papers of the CMA qualification (2012
syllabus) offered by The Institute of Cost Accountants of India:[58]
Intermediate:
Final:
In 2021, ACCA India organized a nationwide 'Financial Literacy Drive' for children. The programme was
delivered with the help of ACCA members in India
Macau
ACCA currently is legally recognised with the joint scheme relationships by Macau Society of Certified
Practising Accountants (local statutory accountancy body) in Macau.[citation needed]
Malaysia
On 13 August 2007, ACCA and the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) signed an
MRA that provided a route for members to join the other body.[50] The ACCA or Chartered Certified
Accountant qualification, along with 10 other professional accounting qualifications,[60] is recognised by
the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA). MIA also recognises 21 Malaysian university qualifications
as a prerequisite for registration as a chartered accountant in Malaysia. Only MIA members qualify as
accountants in Malaysia under the Accountants Act, 1967.
ACCA is statutorily recognised in Part II of the First Schedule of the Accountants Act, 1967. Therefore,
ACCA qualification is eligible to be admitted as MIA member, which then opens the opportunity to
practice as a public accountant (audit firm). One has to attend MIA public practice programme and then
apply for audit approval and passed the audit approval interview.[61]
At the end of 2016 there were 12,521 members and 42,000 students in Malaysia.
As of early 2024, there were 19,576 members and over 42,000 students in Malaysia.[62]
Nepal
From 2014, Tribhuwan University has recognized ACCA (after full membership) as equivalent to
bachelor's degree if pursued after intermediate level.[63]
Pakistan
The ACCA qualification confers the Qualified Company Secretary designation in Pakistan. ACCA and the
local statutory accounting body Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) offer partial
recognition of each other.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan recognises ACCA members qualifications as equal to
master's degree in Commerce (MCom). ICAP also awards some exemptions to ACCA affiliates.
On 4 December 2014, ACCA and ICMAP (Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan)
signed an MOU to enhance the existing academic recognition arrangements between the two
accounting bodies. This MoU shall facilitate students and members of ACCA and ICMA Pakistan to earn
dual qualification and membership on a fast track basis.[64]
At the end of 2016, there were 3,843 members and over 37,000 students in Pakistan.[citation needed]
Singapore
In Singapore, holders of ACCA had until 31 December 2016 and existing students have until 31 December
2018 to complete the ICPAS PAC and qualify for the Chartered Accountant of Singapore professional
designation through the previous transitional arrangements.[65][66][67]
Taiwan
According to rules 6(iii) & 9 of accountancy examination published by Taiwan government, ACCA
members are entitled to obtain advanced standing in the examinations to become a Certified Public
Accountant in Taiwan.
In March 2014, ACCA signed a strategic partnership agreement with UAE's national accountancy body
Accountants and Auditors Association (AAA) to help the latter develop a new Chartered Accountant
qualification nationwide. The exams will be held jointly, and successful graduates will gain both ACCA
and UAE's new Chartered Accountants' qualifications – the UAECA (United Arab Emirates Chartered
Accountant).[50]
Through partnerships with professional institutions, ACCA offers students and members access to other
related qualifications.[68]
Academic qualifications
BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting, with Oxford Brookes University. Oxford Brookes Business School
(OBBS) announced on its website that the BSc Applied Accounting will not be available after May 2026.
[69]
Public Policy and Management offering from SOAS, the University of London[citation needed]
Professional qualifications and other accreditations
Advanced Diploma in International Taxation (ADIT) with the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT)
CMA (Certified Management Accountant) program with Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certification with the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification with the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) (UK only)
Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) Management (Pakistan only)
Certified Fraud Examiner with Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) in USA
Representation worldwide
ACCA is represented on many committees and bodies around the world, including the following:[72]
IFAC Board
IFAC International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB)
Country/Region Organisation