Press Release

ACCA enjoys five-year high in global membership growth in 2007

The global membership of ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) grew by more than 7,000 last year, making 2007 the highest year of growth for the last five years, ACCA announced today. The figures maintain ACCA’s status as the fastest-growing global professional accountancy body, with members in 170 countries.

ACCA now has 122,426 members, which represents a 6.1% rise over the 2006 figures. Global student and affiliate numbers grew by 10% to a new total of over 325,606.

Allen Blewitt, ACCA Chief Executive, said: “We are particularly delighted by the strong growth in membership figures, which is testament to the value that accountants around the world are seeing in joining ACCA. It is remarkable to think that our members could now fill Old Trafford and Anfield together, while our members and students combined would fill the new Wembley stadium

five-times over.

“The strong student growth figures demonstrate the enduring global popularity of ACCA’s qualifications, which, being wholly portable, mean young accountants can make their careers internationally as well as in their own countries of origin. Typically, 20,000 of our students and members move country each year. This is globalism in action.

“In a global market, with international standards in financial reporting and auditing being adopted throughout the world, a qualification which is based on the same exam – whether in Nuneaton or Nairobi – leaves ACCA members best-placed to help businesses thrive.  The new ACCA Qualification, introduced in 2007, will give the next generation of accountants an even greater grounding in what is needed for success in business.”

Allen Blewitt added: “53% of the students who took the most recent examinations were women. We are also proud to be opening up opportunities to talented young people throughout the world. The average age of ACCA members is now 39; this is promising for the next generation of international finance and business leaders.”