... as Langard plans for global assembly

ACCA has given the green light to proposals for a series of changes designed to devolve power internationally.

Delegates from 29 countries attended the certifieds association’s Cambridge conference aimed at creating an international assembly comprising 50 representatives from around the globe. The new council, a response to ACCA’s growing global membership, will meet at least once a year to advise the association’s existing council.

Proposals were also put forward for devolving powers to regional groups of members allowing them greater autonomy in the management of local affairs.

ACCA president Peter Langard said: ‘I believe the devolution proposals will lead to a stronger ACCA because they will allow for more effective representation of the diversity of its membership, while ensuring that important issues such as syllabus, standards and professional conduct are the same all over the world.’

ACCA’s council will now develop a detailed plan to enact the proposals. Langard said that all members would receive a copy of the plan before any action was taken. He said: ‘In line with the wishes of the membership, implementation of a devolved structure will be a gradual process and will be at the pace that members in particular regions desire.’

If the development process is a success, the first international assembly will meet next year. A ‘substantially’ devolved structure is scheduled to be in place by the turn of the century.

Langard added: ‘I believe ACCA will be unique among professional accountancy bodies for its global focus and the way its members are represented and participate in their professional body.’