More Chinese accountants to work internationally

Wang Jun, vice minister in China’s ministry of finance, has signalled the
country’s plan to increase the number of Chinese accountants working
internationally, writes Nicholas Neveling in Istanbul.

Jun said China is implementing a drive to improve the quality of Chinese
chartered professional accountants (CPAs), which would involve growing the
presence of Chinese accountants working abroad. ‘We want to establish facilities
for our CPAs abroad in order to improve the qualifications of Chinese
accountants,’ Jun said.

Accounting had been placed at the centre of China’s economic development
strategy, he added. China is a major area for UK bodies to increase their
membership, but Jun’s comments suggest that instead of competing among each
other for new members, institutes will also face challenges from local
professional bodies.

‘Accounting has played a key role in China’s transition to a market economy
by providing confidence for investors,’ Jun said.