Financial professionals in SL set to benefit from CA-ACCA Mutual Recognition Agreement

Monday, 3 October 2022 02:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

From left: ACCA Head of South Asia Nilusha Ranasinghe, Chief Executive Helen Brand, CA Sri Lanka President Sanjaya Bandara and CEO Dulani Fernando

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) and ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) have entered a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) allowing members from one body to apply directly for membership of the other.

The MRA was signed by ACCA’s Chief Executive and CA Sri Lanka’s President and Vice President at a ceremony on 26 September 2022 at CA Sri Lanka’s Auditorium in Colombo. The MRA provides a direct route to membership for ACCA and CA Sri Lanka members, without any additional examination or practical experience requirements.

ACCA global Chief Executive Helen Brand OBE said: “We’re committed to supporting and building a strong and resilient economy in Sri Lanka and this agreement is an important step in bringing together the people to achieve this. The MRA also brings equality of professional standing between ACCA and CA members and that’s a huge step forward in supporting members’ career progression.”

CA Sri Lanka members will benefit from the global recognition that comes with being an ACCA member, and ACCA members will benefit from employer recognition in Sri Lanka, being able to access practicing rights on completion of additional requirements.

CA Sri Lanka CEO Dulani Fernando said: “CA Sri Lanka and ACCA will continue to work together in areas that benefit both the profession and its mutual members. These areas will include research and publications, public sector development activities, events and CPD.”

The MRA follows a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) signed in December 2020 by the two bodies to strengthen collaboration and is a mutual recognition of the high standard of each other’s qualifications.

ACCA Head of South Asia Nilusha Ranasinghe said: “This MRA will bring substantial opportunities for members of both bodies and demonstrates the value of professional bodies collaborating to explore synergies for the benefit of the profession and the wider public good.”

CA Sri Lanka has 37,500 members and future members. ACCA has approximately 5,600 members and future members based in Sri Lanka.