ISCA becomes First Accountancy Body in Asia Pacific to be Full Member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide

Singapore – 27 June, 2017 – Singapore’s national accountancy body, the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), has been admitted as a full member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW), a global body of leading chartered accountancy bodies around the world.  ISCA is the first professional accountancy body in Asia Pacific, and the only body other than the founding members of CAW to be accorded full membership status.

While ISCA became an associate member of CAW in 2015, full membership status is only accorded to accountancy bodies which have reciprocal membership agreements (RMA) in place with at least two of CAW founding members. ISCA signed RMAs with Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) respectively in April this year.

Within the CAW network, there are Chartered Accountants working in over 180 countries globally. With ISCA, the national accountancy body now a full member of CAW, Chartered Accountants of Singapore will be connected to a global network, enhancing their professional stature and employability in a globalised business world.

In April this year, ISCA raised its global profile when it signed Reciprocal Membership Agreements with ICAEW and ICAS, two internationally recognised professional accountancy bodies. The RMAs enable eligible ISCA members to pursue ICAEW’s Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) designation or ICAS’ CA designation without having to fulfill additional professional or educational requirements. To be eligible, the ISCA member must be a Chartered Accountant of Singapore, or CA (Singapore), and has completed the Singapore CA Qualification. Similarly, members of ICAEW and ICAS can apply to become a full member of ISCA and be conferred the CA (Singapore) designation.

Mr Lee Fook Chiew, Chief Executive Officer of ISCA, said “Our being conferred full membership status by this prestigious global body is an endorsement by Chartered Accountants Worldwide that ISCA fulfills the highest  professional, technical and ethical standards required of a professional accountancy body, bringing us on par with other leading chartered accountancy bodies around the world. This accolade enhances our prominence in the global accountancy arena, thereby bringing more international opportunities for Chartered Accountants in Singapore.”

“We are also delighted to be able to open more doors for ISCA members by providing greater career mobility and international recognition through collaboration with other leading institutes of Chartered Accountants. The recent signing of the RMAs with ICAEW and ICAS is one example. We look forward to working more closely with the other Chartered Accountants Worldwide members to support, develop and promote Chartered Accountants in Asia, and the rest of the world,” he added.

Singapore Chartered Accountants (left), receiving the Chartered Accountants Worldwide certificate for full membership from Pat Costello, Chairman of Chartered Accountants Worldwide.

Mr Pat Costello, Chairman of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, said: “We are delighted ISCA has become a full Member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide.  This is an important development for ISCA and marks a significant milestone for the profession. ISCA has set a great example in promoting the prestige of Chartered Accountants and the value they can offer to their organisations, and is one which we hope other Chartered Accountancy institutes will follow in due course.”

Chartered Accountants Worldwide was founded in 2013 by a group of globally recognised Chartered Accountancy bodies committed to promoting the reputation and value of Chartered Accountants as world leaders in accountancy, finance and business.  Its five founding members are Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Chartered Accountants Ireland, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.  

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For media queries, please contact:

Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants

Betsy Tan, Senior Communications Manager

Tel: +65 6597 5608 / +65 9641 6920 Email: betsy.tan@isca.org.sg

Eileen Khoo, Communications Executive

Tel: +65 6597 5609 / +65 9221 9820 Email: eileen.khoo@isca.org.sg

Chartered Accountants Worldwide

Ruth Hidalgo, Senior Manager

Tel: +44 (0)20 7920 8614 Email: Ruth.Hidalgo@charteredaccountantsworldwide.com

Notes to editors: 

About Chartered Accountants Worldwide

Chartered Accountants Worldwide brings together the leading chartered institutes to support, develop and promote the vital role that Chartered Accountants play throughout the global economy.

Connecting hundreds of thousands of members and students, we:

• Promote the commitment of our global membership to the highest standards of professional and ethical practice
• Create greater opportunity globally for those seeking to become or develop as Chartered Accountants – and those looking to train or employ them
• Share expertise and innovation to maintain Chartered Accountancy’s position as the preeminent qualification for those in accountancy, finance and business. 

Together, we’re committed to ensuring that our members continue to stand apart – defining excellence throughout their career, throughout the world.

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 11 chartered accountancy bodies connecting and representing the interests of over 1.6 million members and students globally.

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