The UAE aspires to become the leading financial services centre globally. To achieve this, there is a government-led drive to develop the national accountancy profession.

To support the government’s vision, we’ve signed a long-term strategic partnership agreement with the prestigious local accountancy body of UAE - AAA (Accountants and Auditors Association) - to enhance the finance sector in the UAE by:

• sharing knowledge on key issues for the accountancy and finance professions in the UAE, the wider region and globally
• implementing a national qualification – the UAECA (United Arab Emirates Chartered Accountant)
• collaborating on research and policy which will include the publication of jointly branded reports/surveys on relevant local and global accountancy and finance topics

What this means for our members in the UAE

This partnership will enhance your recognition as a finance professional in the region with dual membership of both ACCA and AAA.

You’ll become part of an innovative network, working towards developing a leading financial centre in the UAE and the wider region.

This is a very exciting time to be part of such an influential partnership and its success relies heavily on the knowledge and experience that you can bring to help develop the profession.

Apply for AAA membership

As an ACCA member, you can apply for membership of AAA. Here’s how:

1. Email your completed UAECA application form to AAA at camembers@aaa4uae.ae along with confirmation of your ACCA Membership (one from: scanned copy of your ACCA membership certificate/letter of good standing from us/email confirmation of your membership from us) and a copy of your passport and residence visa.
2. AAA will process your application and give you an update within 21 working days.
3. You can start using the UAECA designation as soon as you’re admitted to the AAA and should receive your membership certificate within six weeks.

Related downloads

AAA membership application form (PDF, 144kb)

In June 2016 we announced a strategic alliance with the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

The alliance brings together the resources of the largest global professional accountancy body with one of the world’s pre-eminent CA bodies and by sharing expertise across geographies and sectors the alliance will create a stronger voice on behalf of its members.

As part of the alliance we have signed a Reciprocal Membership Agreement (RMA) with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ). This paves the way for members of each organisation to join and benefit from the other.

Applying for membership

If you’re a member of CA ANZ and want to apply for membership of ACCA, download an application form (PDF format 262kb)

If you’re an ACCA member, please visit the CA ANZ website to apply for membership of CA ANZ

CA ANZ members

If you’ve been admitted as a Chartered Accountant Australia and New Zealand, who is in good standing and completed five years' relevant post-qualification experience you are eligible for direct admission to ACCA membership.

Along with the completed membership form you are required to submit:

• A letter from CA ANZ confirming that you are a member in good standing, having achieved membership by completing the professional education/ examinations and practical experience requirement. This letter should also state your date of admission to membership of CA ANZ and confirm that you have fully complied with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements
• Two references which can attest to your professional competence and suitability for membership of ACCA
• A personal statement with third party verification of activities contributing to the professional life, the community, your membership body or ACCA

For more information on this agreement

ACCA members - please refer to the main CA ANZ alliance page, the CA ANZ FAQ's page and the CA ANZ website.

In May 2021 ACCA signed an agreement with ICPA Bulgaria (ICPAB), also known as Institut Na Diplomiranite Ekspert-Schetovoditeli V Bulgaria (IDES) that provides ACCA members with an accelerated pathway to become members of ICPAB and be entered into the register of Registered Auditors or the register of Certified Public Accountants. The pathway has been developed in accordance with Bulgarian Law and EU legislation.

This recognises the ACCA Qualification in the EU context and means that ACCA members can access the audit profession in Bulgaria.

Applying for membership of ICPAB

• ACCA members are eligible to apply for ICPAB membership if the following requirements have been met:
• Successful completion of ACCA’s Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) examination (or equivalent under ACCA’s previous syllabi (equivalent previous titles are Auditing and Investigations, Accounting and Audit Practice or Audit and Assurance Services))
• Successful completion of an aptitude test consisting of the following ICPAB examinations (sat in the Bulgarian language):
  • Commercial law
  • Tax and social security law
  • Accountancy Law and the National Accounting Standards*

* Not required if the ACCA member holds the UK Audit Qualification.

Under the agreement, applicants must also provide proof of having met the following experience requirements which allow for opportunities to be registered as a Registered Auditor :

• For entry to CPOSA register of Registered Auditors, applicants must have a minimum three years’ experience in financial audit 
• All other candidates shall apply for being entered into the register of certified public accountants

ACCA members should  submit all documentary requirements by the electronic platform. Applications must be supported with the following documents:

• If you are a full ACCA member who has acquired an audit qualification in another EU Member State or a third country which enables you to sign audit reports with an opinion on financial statements, the documentary requirements* are: 
  • Completed application form.
  • Copy of passport or other ID.
  • Copy of your ACCA membership certificate.
  • A letter of good standing from ACCA** 
  • A judicial record to evidence no criminal record
  • Copy of certification that you are a registered auditor qualified to sign audit reports and have been entered into a public register of registered auditors
     
• If you are a full ACCA member who does not hold a qualification to sign audit reports with an opinion on financial statements, the documentary requirements* are: 
  • Completed application form
  • Copy of passport or other ID
  • A transcript that evidences successful completion of ACCA’s Advanced Audit and Assurance examination (or equivalent under ACCA’s previous syllabi)
  • Copy of your ACCA membership certificate
  • A letter of good standing from ACCA** 
  • If you are a full ACCA member applying for entry to the Commission for Public Oversight of Statutory Auditors (CPOSA register of Registered Auditors) in addition to the above, you must submit a document certifying that the ACCA member has achieved a minimum 3 years’ experience working for financial audit companies, on financial audits of EEA and third countries companies
  • A judicial record to evidence no criminal record.

* All documentation to evidence you meeting ICPAB’s requirements must be accompanied by a translation to the Bulgarian language made by a certified translator

** ACCA’s Letter of Good Standing must confirm that you hold full ACCA membership as the date of the issuance of the letter and that you are in good standing and have no disciplinary finding from ACCA.  Please contact karen.watson@accaglobal.com to request a copy of a Letter of Good Standing to support your ICPAB application.

ACCA members who wish to take advantage of this pathway and have not successfully completed Advanced Audit and Assurance (or equivalent ACCA examination under a previous syllabi) have the option to sit this examination post-membership. Please contact us for more information.

In 2020, we renewed our existing Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA). The renewed agreement will be in force until 30 June 2025.

The MRA outlines how our members and HKICPA can join the other body. It covers students who enrolled in ACCA on or after 16 August 2004 and applies to our members who qualified in the UK and Hong Kong.

Transition arrangements for students who enrolled earlier have been agreed separately.

Related links

HKICPA frequently asked questions (FAQs)

We’ve signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA). This paves the way for members of each organisation to join and benefit from the other. Both institutions have also joined forces to work on strengthening the Malaysian accountancy profession.

About MICPA

MICPA is an established professional accountancy body with a reputation for technical excellence, with more than 3,200 members and over 500 students pursuing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) qualification.

To enjoy membership of both organisations,

ACCA members: 

Who have completed:

• our qualification exams
• five years' relevant professional experience post admittance to membership, of which no fewer than three years have been obtained in Malaysia, and
• an interview with the MICPA Membership Admission Panel

are eligible for direct admission to MICPA membership. 

MICPA members:

who have:

• been admitted as Certified Public Accountant members, and
• completed five years' relevant professional experience post admittance to membership

are eligible for direct admission to ACCA membership.

For more information on this agreement

Related downloads and links for ACCA Members:  

• How to become a member of MICPA 
• MICPA membership application form
• FAQs for ACCA members applying for MICPA membership.

Related downloads and links for MICPA Members: 

• ACCA Direct Member Admission Form (PDF, 233kb)
• FAQs for MICPA members applying for ACCA membership.

We’ve signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka). This paves the way for members of each organisation to join and benefit from the other. Both institutions have also joined forces to work on strengthening the Sri Lankan accountancy profession.

About CA Sri Lanka

CA Sri Lanka takes great pride in being the change makers of Sri Lanka’s Accounting arena. For over six decades, they have been the vanguard in developing the accounting profession across Sri Lanka, while also playing a vital role to ensure the accounting profession continues to be an important catalyst in the success of Sri Lanka.

Members of CA Sri Lanka are globally recognised and are identified as a brand of unique and versatile professionals, with the ability to steer any business successfully. CA Sri Lanka has produced over 7,000 members, who are recognised for their professional integrity, exceptional technical and perceptive skills, as well as financial discipline and out of the box thinking, which helps them add value to their organisations.

To enjoy membership of both organisations:

ACCA members:

Who have

• completed the ACCA Qualification;
• completed five years' relevant professional experience post admittance to membership; and
• not had any adverse disciplinary findings in previous seven years.

are eligible for direct admission to CA Sri Lanka membership.

CA Sri Lanka members:

Who have:

• completed the Chartered Accountant qualifying programme;
• completed five years' relevant professional experience post admittance to membership; and
• not had any adverse disciplinary findings in previous seven years.

are eligible for direct admission to ACCA membership.

For more information on this agreement: 

ACCA members - please refer to the ‘related downloads’ on this page for a copy of the FAQs.

CA Sri Lanka members - please refer to the ‘related downloads’ section, where you can download the direct admission application form.

Related downloads

FAQs for ACCA Members

ACCA Direct Admission Form