ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group signed an exclusive agreement on Wednesday (7 November) to see a closer working relationship between the two organisations which focuses on course development, research and professional insights.
ACCA is the global body for professional accountants, offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.
ACCA supports its 208,000 members and 503,000 students in 179 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 104 offices and centres and more than 7,300 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.
ACCA has recently introduced major innovations to its flagship qualification to ensure its members and future members continue to be the most valued, up to date and sought-after accountancy professionals globally.
Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability.
The agreement was signed at the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai by Helen Brand OBE, ACCA’s chief executive, and Liu Song, VP of Alibaba Group, the agreement sees the two organisations working together to shape the future of the profession during a time of digital transformation.
Helen Brand OBE, chief executive of ACCA, said: ‘ACCA and Alibaba Cloud have a close working relationship already, so this Agreement is the logical next step for our joint work together. Our collaboration is broad – from producing joint research to looking at course development for ACCA members about digital innovations. Developing the accountancy profession’s ‘digital quotient’ is a must – this is the awareness and application of existing and emerging digital technologies, capabilities, practices and strategies – and this Agreement is all about bolstering this quotient.’
Liu Song, Alibaba Group VP said: ‘It makes perfect sense for us as leaders in our respective fields to strengthen our partnership, not only in China but also globally. I’m particularly looking forward to producing joint research and also offering training sessions for the C-suite on digital developments. We are both committed to training the most forward-looking professionals, and this Agreement will work to ensure the profession is ready for digital business growth.’
