Throughout our history, we’ve done things differently.
We put our values into practice so we’re regularly the first in the profession to introduce new products and services, and showcase new research and policies.
From being the first accountancy body to admit women to membership in 1909 to doubling the number of exam sessions we run in 2016, we’re proud to be pioneers.
Find out more from our timeline below.
2024
2024 Inclusion
A quarter of a million members
We celebrate reaching our next membership milestone – a quarter of a million members worldwide
2024 Integrity
The road to net zero
We become the first global professional accountancy body to have its net zero targets verified by the Science-Based Targets Initiative
2023
2023 Innovation
Study hub
We launch a new free digital learning resource, covering our entire syllabus, to support students to prepare for exams
2022
2022 Inclusion
Remote PER supervisors
Our online supervisor / affiliate matching platform supports progress to membership for everyone
2021
2021 Inclusion
Supporting wellbeing
Our wellbeing hubs for members and future members offer advice and guidance on a wide range of issues
2020
2020 Integrity
UN Sustainability Development Goals
Responding to the UN’s call for ‘a decade of action’, we announce a set of commitments towards delivering the SDGs.
2020 Integrity
Call for action against climate change
We call for action against climate change as part of the Accounting for Sustainability network
2019
2019 Inclusion
20 years in the Caribbean
We celebrate 20 years since we established our ACCA Caribbean office
2018
2018 Innovation
Introduction of Strategic Professional
September 2018 sees ACCA introduce Strategic Professional – a new level of the ACCA Qualification
2018 Inclusion
Together we shape the future
ACCA celebrates its 30th anniversary in China
2017
2017 Inclusion
Membership milestone
200,000 people around the world are ACCA members and celebrate at events around the world
2016
2016 Inclusion
Expanding opportunities for our members
We form a strategic alliance with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
2016 Innovation
Delivering flexibility for students and employers
We've doubled the number of exam sessions we run. Now our students can choose from four exam sessions per year.
2015
2015 Innovation
Access accountancy with ACCA-X
We make a career in accountancy even more accessible by launching ACCA-X - a combination of free and affordable digital courses leading to our professional qualification.
2015 Innovation
World first with University of London
Our ground-breaking partnership with the University of London means that we're the first accountancy body to join with a university to enable students worldwide to gain a Master's degree and a professional accountancy qualification at the same time.
2014
2014 Inclusion
Our first MOOC launches
In partnership with the University of Exeter we developed Discovering Business in Society.
2014 Integrity
World first in integrated reporting exams
We're the first accountancy body to examine integrated reporting throughout our professional level exams.
2013
2013 Inclusion
New strategic partnership
We form a global strategic partnership with the Institute of Management Accountants.
2012
2012 Innovation
Online Job Board launches
In response to market demand, we launch ACCA Careers, our online Job Board.
2011
2011 Integrity
Celebrating our services to accounting
Chief executive Helen Brand receives OBE for services to accountancy.
2011 Inclusion
Foundations in Accountancy
Our new entry-level suite of qualifications launches to give more people the chance to access the profession.
2009
2009 Integrity
Improving transparency
We produce our first CSR report, putting our own operational performance on the area of sustainability on record.
2007
2007 Integrity
Do the right thing
We put ethics and professionalism at the heart of a revamped ACCA Qualification.
2005
2005 Innovation
Keeping our members up to date
Our continuing professional development scheme is introduced, which requires our members to keep their skills and experience up to date.
2004
2004 Innovation
Celebrating 100 years of opportunity
Events around the world mark our centenary, and 100,000 people around the world are ACCA members.
2002
2002 Innovation
Get connected
ACCA Connect opens - it's the first global contact centre for an accountancy body.
2001
2001 Innovation
Degrees of membership
Following the success of our BSc, we launch an exclusive MBA programme with Oxford Brookes University for our members.
1999
1999 Innovation
Maximising opportunities for students
With Oxford Brookes University, we launch a BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting. This means that our students can gain a degree and a professional qualification at the same time - it's a first in the market and now the largest undergraduate accounting programme in the world.
1997
1997 Inclusion
Technically speaking
Technician-level qualifications are part of our range of qualifications for the first time as we introduce the Certified Accounting Technician qualification (CAT).
1996
1996 Innovation
Growing the profession
Membership reaches 50,000 and nearly 130,000 students.
1996 Integrity
Setting the standard
Our new syllabus is launched, based on international accounting standards - a first in the profession.
1995
1995 Innovation
Going online
www.accaglobal.com is launched. Now that we have a web presence, development starts on a comprehensive suite of e-business services.
1993
1993 Innovation
A woman's place in the boardroom
Anthea Rose becomes our first female chief executive.
1991
1991 Innovation
Going green
We introduce an environmental reporting awards scheme, and it's the first of its kind.
1988
1988 Inclusion
Eastern opportunities
We begin market development in mainland China.
1986
1986 Integrity
Statutory recognition
In the UK, we become recognised under the Financial Services Act.
1982
1982 Inclusion
Growing the profession
We now have 25,000 members.
1980
1980 Inclusion
Madam president
Vera di Palma becomes our first female president - and also the first female president of any international accountancy body - when she takes office.
1980 Inclusion
Behind the Iron Curtain
We begin to explore opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe, helping to develop the profession in former Soviet states and in the Russian Federation.
1974
1974 Integrity
Royal recognition of excellence
We receive our UK Royal Charter.
1965
1965 Inclusion
Growing our presence in the Caribbean
A joint examination scheme is established in Jamaica, leading to partnerships with many bodies in the Caribbean.
1950
1950 Inclusion
International expansion
Branches spring up in Hong Kong, Zimbabwe, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Nigeria and Malawi.
1940
1940 Integrity
War work
During the Second World War, with the help of the Red Cross, we enable prisoners of war to sit ACCA exams.
1936
1936 Inclusion
Arrival in Asia
Our Malaysia-Singapore branch is set up.
1920
1920 Innovation
Student growth
2,800 students take our exams.
1913
1913 Innovation
Going global
Our first branch outside the UK is opened in South Africa.
1910
1910 Inclusion
Our first thousand
We reach a milestone - the registration of 1,000 members.
1909
1909 Innovation
Making women count
Ethel Ayres Purdie becomes a member, the first woman to belong to a professional accountancy body.
1905
1905 Inclusion
Ready, study, go
We introduce our first examinations.
1905 Innovation
Members' journal
Our members' journal - The Circular - is launched and is still produced today as AB magazine.
1904
1904 Innovation
Opportunities begin
On 30 November, eight accountants found the London Association of Accountants, the forerunner of ACCA.