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ACCA asserts its open access credentials and backs Government proposals

Unleashing aspirations of all young people, whatever their background, is a worthy principle, says ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) today following the publication of the Government's report Unleashing Aspiration in response to last summer’s Fair Access to the Professions report.

Dorothy Wood, head of education at ACCA UK, says: "The original report from the Access to the Professions panel said that elitism in the professions and a lack of focus on careers in schools means that bright young people from middle class as well as lower income backgrounds are being shut out from professional jobs. This situation clearly cannot continue. So it is great to see the Government taking action on the 80 recommendations about how young people’s future aspirations can be met – from excellent careers advice to internships to lifelong learning."

ACCA was highlighted as an example of good practice in the Government’s Fair Access to Professions second report published in May 2009, the pre-cursor to the final report published on 21 July 2009

Dorothy Wood explains: “ACCA has a good story to tell here – we have always ensured access to our global qualification is open, fair and transparent. Our core values of opportunity and diversity mean that we actively welcome students from all backgrounds. This is integral to our overall mission to provide opportunity and open access to people of ability throughout the world - a core part of our mission since 1904.”

With ACCA:
- Mature students who chose to study with ACCA do not require any formal qualifications to register for the course.
- Qualified Certified Accounting Technicians can study for the full ACCA qualification and receive exemptions from their first three papers.
- ACCA also offers partial exemptions for qualifying accountants who hold professional qualifications in a variety of other professional areas.

Dorothy Wood continues: "Access to our qualification is open to school-leavers, women returners, and to those without direct access to university - as well as to graduates - and we offer progression to higher qualifications and degrees via the Open University, Oxford Brookes University and Said Business School."

Ms Wood concludes: "Unleashing aspirations is also about good role models – they have an important part to play here. We have members who are company directors of multinational corporations; finance directors within the oil & gas sector; as well as academics in some of the world's most prestigious higher learning institutions. ACCA members are to be found around the world, and being an accountant has allowed individuals from all walks of life to reach for their goals and implement career changes that have benefited not only themselves, but at times the communities in which they live."

For those are interested in a career as an accountant or finance professional, please go to ACCA’s website: http://www.accaglobal.com/join/

Notes to Editors
1. ACCA is the global body for professional accountants. We aim to offer business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. We have 362,000 students and 131,500 members in 170 countries worldwide.
2. ACCA has worked with governments, national organisations and development agencies in emerging economies- for over 20 years - promoting the accounting profession, to create value for the communities, businesses and individuals it serves.
3. ACCA believes that globalisation of business means that one set of reporting standards is essential. We favour the principles-based IFRS.
4. ACCA understands the real issues facing small businesses as 63,000 of our members work in SMEs or small partnerships worldwide.

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For further information please contact:

Helen Thompson, ACCA Newsroom +44 (0)20 7059 5759 +44 (0)7725 498654 helen.thompson@accaglobal.com