Worldwide partnerships
The International Affairs and European Affairs teams at ICAEW have extensive contact with major accountancy bodies worldwide.The teams ensure that accounting experts represent ICAEW at high profile events around the world. These opportunities enable us to promote the standards and quality of our qualifications and bring those standards to the world accountancy platform.
Accountancy Europe
Accountancy Europe is the representative organisation for the accountancy profession in Europe.
They unite 51 professional organisations from 37 countries that represent 1 million professional accountants, auditors and advisors. They changed their name from the Federation of European Accountants (FEE) at their 30th anniversary celebration (7 December 2016).
ICAEW regularly inputs in Accountancy Europe initiatives via our Brussels office.
ASEAN Federation of Accountants (AFA)
The ASEAN Federation of Accountants is the representative organisation for the accountancy profession in ASEAN.
AFA was established in March, 1977, to serve as the umbrella organisation for the national association of the Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN). AFA originally had only five founding member-bodies. These were the national accountancy bodies of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Currently, AFA membership comprised of all ten ASEAN member countries.
With offices in four of the 10 ASEAN countries, ICAEW has confirmed its commitment to the region by joining AFA as an affiliate member.
British Chambers of Commerce (BCC)
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a business network that spans the length and breadth of the UK, with links to markets across the world.
The 52 accredited Chambers in the UK are trusted champions of businesses, places, and global trade.
Chambers of Commerce provide a voice to the business communities they represent, amplifying their priorities and concerns. In every region and nation of the UK, Chambers and their members work to improve the local business environment in which they operate.
ICAEW works with BCC both in the UK through our District Societies and internationally via our international offices. This relationship helps with our local market intelligence and assists in networking in order to achieve our objectives.
City of London Corporation
Responsible for the City of London, the corporation has a role and wide remit that goes beyond that of an ordinary local authority with three main aims:
- to support and promote London as the world's leading international financial and business centre and attract new business to the capital and the whole UK
- to work in partnership with local communities to increase skills, employment and opportunities for all Londoners, including through the City Bridge Trust
- to enhance the capital as a hub of culture, history and green spaces for Londoners – residents, workers, and visitors.
Lord Mayor of the City of London
The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of the City of London is an international ambassador for the UK’s financial and professional services sector. The Lord Mayor also heads the City of London Corporation, a uniquely diverse organisation that supports and promotes London as a place to live, work, study and be entertained. Together with other leading members of the City Corporation he makes sure that the City’s interests are reflected in local and national policy.
ICAEW works with City of London both domestically and internationally; their aim of promoting financial and professional services complements the work we do. The Lord Mayor of the City of London makes some 100 days of international travel in order to achieve this aim internationally.
Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA)
The Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA) represents national accountancy organisations in the Asia-Pacific region.
CAPA is made up of thirty-two national professional accountancy organisations (PAOs) operating in twenty-three jurisdictions in Asia and the Pacific. These PAOs, referred to as CAPA’s members, represent over 1.6 million accountants across the region.
CAPA provides the structure to enable relationship building and knowledge sharing among PAOs operating in the region and to undertake specific activities consistent with the organisation’s vision and mission.
With ICAEW staff in Malaysia and Greater China, and more than 10,000 members in CAPA countries, ICAEW has confirmed its commitment to the region by joining CAPA as an affiliate member.
Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB)
CCAB’s core purpose is to promote sustainable growth in the UK economy through the UK accountancy profession.
CCAB has five members – ICAEW, ACCA, CIPFA, ICAS and Chartered Accountants Ireland - and provides a forum for the bodies to work together collectively in the public interest on matters affecting the profession and the wider economy.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)
The FCO promotes the United Kingdom's interests overseas, supporting our citizens and businesses around the globe.
ICAEW’s international offices all work with local FCO staff to promote the profession and our vision “a world of sustainable economies” whilst supporting the work the FCO does to the benefit of our members.
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB)
The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) is an independent group of experts with an appropriate mix of recent practical experience in setting accounting standards, in preparing, auditing, or using financial reports, and in accounting education. Broad geographical diversity is also required.
Board members are responsible for the development and publication of IFRS Standards, including the IFRS for SMEs Standard. The Board is also responsible for approving Interpretations of IFRS Standards as developed by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (formerly IFRIC).
ICAEW recognises the importance of international standards in aiding global growth, as consistency from one market to another facilitates businesses to operate more efficiently.
International Chambers of Commerce (ICC)
The International Chambers of Commerce are a world business organisation, helping businesses of all sized and in all countries to operate both internationally and responsibly.
With a global network of over 6 million members in more than 100 countries, they work to promote international trade, responsible business conduct and a global approach to regulation through a mix of advocacy and standard setting activities – together with dispute resolution services.
ICAEW works with ICC on a range of subjects to ensure the voice of the accountancy profession is heard in their advocacy and standard setting activities.
International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)
IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. IFAC is comprised of over 175 members and associates in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing almost 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.
ICAEW was one of the founding members and has always been involved in IFAC activities to ensure our members’ voices are heard.
Through CCAB, ICAEW staff and ICAEW volunteers, we engage with IFAC through their committees, consultative advisory groups and working groups on a range of issues of critical importance to the profession.
Standard Setting Boards
IFAC supports four independent standard-setting boards, which establish international standards on ethics, auditing and assurance, accounting education, and public sector accounting. ICAEW responds to consultations from these boards to aid the relevance and usefulness of international standards to our members.
Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA)
The Pan African Federation of Accountants represents national accountancy organisations in Africa.
PAFA is made up of 45 national professional accountancy organisations (PAOs) as full members and Associates. Its aim is to represent African professional accountants with one voice, whilst providing a forum for co-operation and assistance among African PAOs for the advancement of the status of the accountancy profession.
With ICAEW members across Africa, ICAEW has confirmed its commitment to the region by joining PAFA as an affiliate member.
TheCityUK
TheCityUK is the industry-led body representing UK-based financial and related professional services. In the UK, across Europe and globally, they promote policies that drive competitiveness, support job creation and ensure long-term economic growth.
ICAEW feeds into both the national and international policy streams at TheCityUK to ensure the voice of the profession is considered in these business led discussions.
World Economic Forum (WEF)
The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation.
The Forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
It was established in 1971 as a not-for-profit foundation and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It is independent, impartial and not tied to any special interests. The Forum strives in all its efforts to demonstrate entrepreneurship in the global public interest while upholding the highest standards of governance. Moral and intellectual integrity is at the heart of everything it does.
ICAEW works with WEF across their international meetings, including Davos, and supports their initiatives to improve the state of the world.