ACCA to work with UK foreign trade department in Asia

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) will work with the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) to strengthen their partnership in supporting connectivity and driving sustainability in Southeast Asia.

Helen Brand, chief executive of ACCA, met with Sam Myers, His Majesty’s deputy trade commissioner for Southeast Asia, in Singapore to discuss matters regarding talent mobility in the region. Brand was accompanied by ACCA’s regional director, Pulkit Abrol, and ACCA Singapore country manager Daniel Leung.

ACCA said around 20% of its students and members are based in the Asia-Pacific region, and its professional qualification is widely recognised and trusted by employers.

“We’re committed to supporting and helping build the strong and resilient economies the region needs through qualified finance professionals working in the public interest,” Brand said. “The accountancy profession plays an essential role in transforming business models to deliver an ethical, more equitable, green and inclusive future. It’s through collaboration and connection with the DIT and others that we can make real progress in supporting key national and regional economic and education agendas.”

“’It was a pleasure to meet with the ACCA team in Singapore again and to support their ambitious plans for building even deeper partnerships in Southeast Asia,” Myers said. “Accountancy is a vital sector for thriving and sustainable economies, particularly in this dynamic region with its rapidly expanding financial services market. Last year, financial services accounted for 17.6% of UK services exports to ASEAN, worth some £1.5 billion. With our world-leading financial sector, I believe the UK’s close partnership with Southeast Asia will only grow stronger through the efforts of organisations like ACCA.”

While in Singapore, the ACCA delegation also met with leaders from the Ministry of Finance, the Singapore Accountancy Commission, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants, and the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.