ACCA encourages members to uphold public value for the benefit of society and the accountancy profession

04 September 2015

AACCA's president Anthony Harbinson, urges members to continue working in the public interest, promote responsible and ethical business and support sustainable global economic performance.

His speech emphasised how ACCA’s global presence is uniquely placed to advise and support the profession, to influence governments, regulators and employers to act in the public interest and therefore to deliver public value. 

Anthony 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.

'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.'

ACCA’s Canadian CFO Sentiment Study shows that Canadian finance executives are showing greater confidence in the US market in 2015 while most are taking the middle ground when it comes to their outlook of the domestic and global economy. Concerns over slow growth in China and India for the Canadian resource sector and the resulting weaknesses in the commodities markets helps to explain forecasts for lower margins in coming months according to the results. 

Suzanne Godbehere, Head of ACCA Canada said: 'Professional accountants are essential to underpin economic success. ACCA in Canada contributes to developing the accountancy profession in both the public and private sectors. We believe that the demand for professional and ethical accountants will continue to increase in Canada and abroad. ACCA has been in Canada since 1996 with a national office in Toronto and network offices in Vancouver and Calgary.'

Press release


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