Reimagining the profession post-Covid

At ACCA’s 24th International Assembly, which took place over two days in October, delegates engaged in discussions and workshops on the theme of reimagining the accountancy profession in a post-Covid world.

Despite the event being held virtually for the first time, as always International Assembly participants made a significant contribution to the sessions and workshops that will help shape ACCA’s thinking and policy in the months to come.

ACCA chief executive Helen Brand described ACCA’s progress to date in these early days of the organisation’s strategy to 2025. She shared her vision of where the organisation is heading, and her ambitions for ACCA and the profession: to be number one in developing the accountancy profession that the world needs, and to act as a force for good at all times.

The sessions – featuring guest speakers Peter Bakker (president and CEO of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development), Alan Johnson (IFAC president), Anna Kahn (global executive partner in the people advisory services at EY) and Siobhan Pandya (Council member and senior director of business assurance and excellence for Mary Kay) – included discussions on:

• how to drive forward ACCA’s community ambitions
• how Covid-19 will change the purpose and role of accountants
• digital in a post-Covid environment
• the role of accountants in sustainable business
• the big issues and trends in the world  that  ACCA should focus on.

‘We achieved so much in our two days together,’ said ACCA president Jenny Gu. ‘International Assembly members’ input is incredibly valuable and enormously appreciated.’