ACCA members encouraged to work toward benefit of society and the profession

Members of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) have been urged to make sure they are working in the public interest, as stated in a speech by their President at a members' recognition ceremony in Toronto. 

In his keynote address, Anthony Harbinson asked his members to continue to promote responsible and ethical business practises with a wider aim of achieving sustainable global economic performance.

Unique role

ACCA is the global body for professional accountants and has more than 178,000 members in 181 countries worldwide.

The President's speech emphasised how the organisation can play a unique role in the global accountancy sector and bring influence to bear at every level.

Harbinson said: "The accounting profession is a champion of ethical business conduct. The credibility of the profession depends on society recognising the value that professional accountants bring in promoting good governance, facilitating sustainable access to finance for business, and applying the highest professional and ethical standards in their work."

Managing volatility

The increasingly global nature of the world of finance continues to bring up new challenges, Harbinson went on to explain.

"Our latest Global Economic Conditions Survey with IMA (the Institute of Management Accountants) shows the global economy continues to face pockets of uncertainty and major readjustments. With the price of oil falling, several unexpected rate cuts from central banks, a rebound in Western consumer sentiment and a stock market crash in China, accountants have a crucial role to play in managing volatility with financial precision while maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards."