ICAEW opens Beijing office

March 31, 2011

The Institute of Chartered
Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has opened a
regional office in Beijing, China, as part of plans to raise its
profile and attract members in the region.

Led by newly appointed ICAEW regional director
for Greater China Douglas Lau, the ICAEW said it aims to build on
its existing presence to raise its profile and “forge stronger ties
with key stakeholders” both in mainland China and Hong Kong. The
office also aims to increase access to the ICAEW international ACA
qualification.

“China’s targets for continued economic
development, attracting foreign investment and financial sector
growth, as outlined in the latest five-year plan, will require
access to a big pool of highly qualified finance professionals with
knowledge of international standards,” ICAEW president Gerald
Russell said.

The ICAEW’s ACA qualification is available
through two routes in China. It can be obtained as part of the
ICAEW-CICPA joint programme, which offers certified CPAs access to
the qualification as a top-up programme. Non-CICPA members can
study for the full ACA programme, which typically takes three years
to complete and combines theory, exams and practical work
experience.

The ICAEW is already working with the Chinese
Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA) and the Hong Kong
Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA). More than 200
ICAEW members are based in mainland China and around 3,000 in Hong
Kong.