In December, ACCA Vietnam celebrated two decades of operation with a packed timetable of events attended by ACCA chief executive Helen Brand.
Member events in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi attracted more than 200 ACCA members and were also attended by representatives of leading organisations and government agencies.
Guests included Vo Thanh Hung, vice minister, Ministry of Finance; Ha Thi My Dung, deputy state auditor general; British consul general Emily Hamblin; Dr Dang Van Thanh, president, Vietnam Federation of Accountants and Auditors (VAA); Dr Ha Thi Ngoc Ha, deputy president, Vietnam Association of Certified Public Accountants (VACPA); Mdm Nguyen Thi Cuc, president of the Vietnam Tax Consultant Association; and representatives of leading universities, local bodies and top employers.
‘We strive to stay ahead of global developments and provide our members with the tools to become visionaries and future leaders’
Cert IFR launched
During her visit, Brand attended the official launch of the Vietnamese version of ACCA’s Certificate in International Reporting (Cert IFR), created in partnership with VACPA. The English version of the certificate was introduced in 2018 and has provided a strong foundation for the introduction of the Vietnamese version.
Also in attendance were Vo Thanh Hung, vice minister, Ministry of Finance; Vu Duc Chinh, director general, Ministry of Finance; Ha Thi My Dung, deputy state auditor general; and Nguyen Thai Thanh, deputy president, VACPA.
Meanwhile, a meeting with the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET), Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs was held as the DVET has embedded the Foundations in Accountancy suite of qualifications in Vietnam’s vocational training programme from this year.
MoUs renewed
Brand’s visit also provided an opportunity to renew a series of memorandums of understanding (MoUs), including a key agreement with the Ministry of Finance.
A ceremony, which was attended by Vo Thanh Hung, Brand and Varma, along with representatives from the ACCA Vietnam Member Advisory Committee, reviewed the MoU’s successes, such as the Joint Exam Scheme programme, and training workshops in IFRS Standards and public sector standards.
Vo Thanh Hung acknowledged ACCA’s contribution to the development of Vietnam’s accounting and auditing activities over the past two decades and looked forward to a continuing partnership.
During Brand’s visit two other MoUs were also renewed with the VAA and the Vietnam Institute of Directors.
Sustainability focus
ACCA Vietnam’s milestone coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the UK. ACCA and the British Chamber of Commerce held a seminar for members and employers on the sustainable organisation and the future of the labour market.
Support for students
The creation of a computer-based exam centre at Hanoi University of Industry, which was officially opened during Brand’s visit, marks an important step forward in supporting students working towards the ACCA qualification.
‘This event marks a new development and is the result of efforts from both sides,’ Brand said. ‘Hopefully in the future, ACCA and Hanoi University of Industry will continue to promote deeper cooperation.’
Support for students was also secured with a partnership agreement signing ceremony between ACCA and the Academy of Finance.
Meanwhile, an event at the Foreign Trade University focused on developing digital-ready talent. Speakers included Hao Tran, CEO and founder of digital media network Vietcetera and host of the Vietnam Innovators podcast; Hien Ngo, CTO, IBM Vietnam; and Thang Truong FCCA, CEO, start-up incubator FIM Ventures.
‘ACCA continues to establish itself as the leading global organisation for professional accountants,’ said Ren Varma, ACCA cluster head of mainland South-East Asia. ‘We strive to stay ahead of global developments and provide our members with the tools to become visionaries and future leaders.’
