International Mobility of Singapore Chartered Accountants Enhanced as ISCA Inks Reciprocal Membership Agreement with Chartered Accountants Ireland

The national accountancy body, the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), has signed a Reciprocal Membership Agreement (RMA) with Chartered Accountants Ireland. The RMA will enhance the global portability and international stature of the Chartered Accountant of Singapore – CA (Singapore) – designation, a professional designation conferred upon the completion of the Singapore Chartered Accountant (CA) Qualification. The Singapore CA Qualification is a professional accountancy qualification. The successful completion of the Singapore CA Qualification will lead to the conferment of the CA (Singapore) designation by ISCA.

The RMA was signed on 18 November by Mr Lee Fook Chiew, Chief Executive Officer of ISCA and Mr Barry Dempsey, Chief Executive of Chartered Accountants Ireland at a Chartered Accountants Worldwide global meeting in Brussels.

The reciprocal membership agreement was signed on the 18th November by Mr Barry Dempsey, Chief Executive of Chartered Accountants Ireland (left) and Mr Lee Fook Chiew, Chief Executive Officer of ISCA.

Both ISCA and the Irish Institute are members of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, a global body which brings together 12 chartered accountancy bodies connecting and representing the interests of over 1.7 million members and students globally.

Under the RMA, ISCA members can apply to attain the Irish Institute’s CA designation, without having to fulfil additional professional or educational requirements. To be eligible, the ISCA member must be a CA (Singapore), and has completed the Singapore CA Qualification. Likewise, a Chartered Accountant of the Irish Institute can apply for full membership with ISCA and attain the CA (Singapore) designation, a recognised mark of excellence in business and a pre-requisite for being a public accountant in Singapore.

To reach the reciprocity agreement, Chartered Accountants Ireland, ISCA and the Singapore Accountancy Commission (SAC) undertook a stringent assessment process in reviewing the qualifying requirements in education, examination, practical experience, professional standards and regulations of both institutions. SAC is a government statutory body spearheading the development of the accountancy sector in Singapore.

Dr Gerard Ee, President of ISCA, said, “The RMA with the Irish Institute further enhances the career mobility of Chartered Accountants of Singapore and reinforces ISCA’s position as a globally recognised professional accountancy body. ISCA members who have completed the Singapore CA Qualification can now attain the Irish Institute’s CA designation, in addition to the chartered accountancy designations conferred by Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS). The RMA is also in line with our strategy to better prepare members for the future economy, as the business environment becomes increasingly globalised.”

Shauna Greely, President of Chartered Accountants Ireland, said, “On behalf of my fellow members across the globe, I welcome the announcement of this important recognition agreement with ISCA in Singapore. For Irish Chartered Accountants, this agreement with ISCA further underlines the international credentials of the Irish Chartered Accountancy qualification, and will facilitate our members to progress their careers in one of the most exciting and dynamic of financial hubs, not only in Asia but anywhere in the world."

Mr Chaly Mah, Chairman of SAC, said, “The SAC congratulates Chartered Accountants Ireland and ISCA on the RMA signed between the two organisations. As the organisation responsible for the development of the accountancy sector in Singapore, SAC is pleased that ISCA is entering into an RMA with another reputable professional body for mutual recognition of the Singapore CA Qualification. This Agreement will give both qualifications greater global recognition and international portability. In the spirit of collaboration and close cooperation, we look forward to this partnership which will benefit our institutes and members as we learn from each other to promote the accountancy sector.”

ISCA is the designated entity to confer the CA (Singapore) professional designation. Presently, ISCA has over 32,000 members. Chartered Accountants Ireland is a leading professional body for Chartered Accountants of Ireland, with over 26,000 members worldwide.

This is the third RMA ISCA has signed with another chartered accountancy body this year. ISCA also signed RMAs with ICAEW and ICAS in April this year. 

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For media queries, please contact:

Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants

Betsy Tan, Senior Communications Manager
Tel: 6597 5608 / 9641 6920 Email: betsy.tan@isca.org.sg

Clarissa Tan, Communications Executive
Tel: 6597 5609 / 9634 6912 Email: clarissa.tan@isca.org.sg

Chartered Accountants Ireland

Bryan Rankin, Marketing & Communications Manager
Tel: +353 1 6377268 Email: Bryan.Rankin@charteredaccountants.ie

Notes to editors:

About the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) is the national accountancy body of Singapore. ISCA’s vision is to be a globally recognised professional accountancy body, bringing value to our members, the profession and wider community. There are over 32,000 ISCA members making their stride in businesses across industries in Singapore and around the world.

Established in 1963, ISCA is an advocate of the interests of the profession. Possessing a Global Mindset, with Asian Insights, ISCA leverages its regional expertise, knowledge, and networks with diverse stakeholders to contribute towards Singapore’s transformation into a global accountancy hub.

ISCA is the Administrator of the Singapore CA Qualification and the Designated Entity to confer the Chartered Accountant of Singapore - CA (Singapore) - designation.

ISCA is a member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW). CAW brings together 12 chartered accountancy bodies connecting and representing the interests of over 1.7 million members and students globally.

For more information, visit www.isca.org.sg.

About Chartered Accountants Ireland

Chartered Accountants are Ireland’s leading business professionals, providing essential business advice in every sector of the Irish economy.  Established by Royal Charter in 1888, Chartered Accountants Ireland is Ireland’s largest and fastest growing accountancy body, now with 26,000 members. It is the voice of the accountancy profession in Ireland and a founder member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide.