Chartered Accountants Worldwide - Money Well Spent?

I am not alone in thinking that the newly created Chartered Accountants Worldwide overlaps with other associations, such as the Global Accounting Alliance.

Kevin Reed (editor of Accountancy Age) also thinks the same, as per his Leader on the subject:

"It’s nice in principle, but the ultimate question has to be whether members can bear their institute fees going towards setting up another ‘association’.

Don’t forget, we have the CCAB to represent the institutes in policy-making and strategy for the UK, while both ICAS and the ICAEW are also members of the Global Accounting Alliance, which does the same as the CCAB just…globally. The argument is that the CAW is for promotional activities. But, still…

The ICAEW, in particular, has already made outreach efforts, no doubt at some cost, in areas such as China and Hong Kong, plus the Middle-East. Do we really need the CAW?"

Chartered Accountants Worldwide Created

The ICAEW has announced the birth of a new organisation, Chartered Accountants Worldwide, which brings together the members of leading institutes to create a community of hundreds of thousands of Chartered Accountants in more than 180 countries.

The organisation comprises six professional bodies:

- ICAEW
- ICAS
- Chartered Accountants Ireland
- Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia
- New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants
- The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants

Chartered Accountants Worldwide aims to provide:

• a consistent platform globally to promote the expertise of Chartered Accountants
• the ability to maximise opportunities to work anywhere around the world
• greater opportunity to connect and network with your peers worldwide
• access to member facilities in other partner institutes including events, technical information, business centres, libraries, information services, websites and newsletters

Connecting hundreds of thousands of members and students, it aims to:

• promote the commitment of our global membership to the highest standards of professional and ethical practice
• create greater opportunities globally for those seeking to become or develop as Chartered Accountants – and those looking to train or employ them
• share expertise and innovation to maintain Chartered Accountancy’s position as the preeminent qualification for those in accountancy, finance and business.

Meanwhile the Global Accounting Alliance (founded in 2006 and which also includes a.o. the ICAEW) still exists:

"Representing over 700,000 of the world's leading professional accountants, the Global Accounting Alliance will promote quality professional services, global membership support, share information and collaborate on important international issues.

The Alliance will work with national regulators, governments and stakeholders, through member-body collaboration, articulation of consensus views, and working in collaboration, where possible, with other international bodies."

Is it possible that there is a wee bit of an overlap here?

Mr Crabbe Steps Up To The Plate

Well done Mr Crabbe (the normally shy, retiring, boring accountant who serves Mr Selfridge) for finally stepping out of the shadows and stepping up to the plate to display leadership, initiative, imagination and balls!

ICAEW Revamps Its Website

The ICAEW has revamped its website, complete with a banner advert at the top for a car rental company.

Take a look and let me know what you think of it.