The role of the professional accountant has never been more exciting – or more challenging. Our research shows that professional accountants will be essential to driving positive business change and supporting economies and organisations across the world. This is reinforced by the findings of our latest Talent Trends 2024 report which highlights that professional accountants have endless career opportunities.

Creating value and supporting sustainability

From ensuring the strong governance and the sustainable financial development of organisations, through to taking a leading role in critical challenges facing businesses today, professional accountants will use their skills, ethics and professional judgement, acting in the public interest to help create new value opportunities for organisations in all sectors across the world, enriching society at large. They will support organisations to respond effectively to the imperatives of climate change or championing the natural capital and environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda.

Essential skills for professional accountants

So, what makes a professional accountant? What talent do they have that puts them at the heart of business change? We all know that technical knowledge is essential for the professional accountant, but it’s the supporting professional skills that really place them at the heart of a business. It’s these professional skills that enable accountants to analyse, to evaluate, to communicate. And that’s why the ACCA Qualification develops both the technical knowledge, as well as these needed professional skills, across all elements of the ACCA Qualification: the exams, the Ethics and Professional Skills Module, and in the Practical Experience Requirement.

A qualification like no other

The globally recognised ACCA Qualification is now more important than ever. Through our one same global qualification across the world, we’re developing dynamic professional accountants who are strategic forward-thinkers, who thrive in this world of constant change and growing globalisation. We’re equipping people with the real-world skills and expertise they need to make an immediate impact in all types of organisation – the public and private sectors, in industry and professional practice. With data and digital, sustainability and ethics integrated throughout the qualification, we know we are supporting organisations around the world to develop their strategies and reach their goals.

Seven key capabilities for future accountants

Our research identifies seven capabilities that are needed across all roles in the profession, both now and to support organisations in the future. These capabilities develop the talent of the future and form key pillars of the ACCA Qualification which develops the skills and competencies needed for a diverse range of career destinations. The qualification supports the development of all seven capabilities, future proofing the careers of all ACCA members and future members. From advisory to tax, the ACCA Qualification develops the skills and competencies needed for a wide spectrum of careers and specialisms.

ACCA Career Navigator

To help reach these exciting career destinations, we’ve developed the ACCA Career Navigator. It’s an innovative, open-access digital tool, accessible through accaglobal.com. It enables effective, future-proof career planning and readiness by mapping specific aptitudes against current and emerging job opportunities.

Employer endorsements

But don’t just take our word for it: employers tell us that the ACCA Qualification creates great professional accountants with the strong core technical, ethical and professional skills needed across all sectors. Because our qualification also delivers the competencies that make our students and new members ready for the workplace, they’re highly sought after by employers everywhere. And, with exams based on international accounting standards ACCA is well known for developing people who understand how finance works around the world.

The ACCA Qualification is developing the talent of the future.