ACCA announces redesign of qualification for a redefined accountancy profession - Middle East Business News and Information
Global accountancy body ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) has announced a redesign of its gold standard ACCA Qualification focused on a redefinition of accountancy which is expanding and reshaping the role of the profession.
The redesign reflects the increasing role of accountants in driving the widening value needed for business success, combining profitability with ethics, sustainability, the ability to leverage new technology and the agility to deal with economic volatility. Similar changes are being seen in the public sector.
Responding to and anticipating the evolving needs of employers, the changes build on the current strengths of the ACCA Qualification. They will introduce a more integrated learning and assessment experience, including AI-enhanced learning journeys, designed to equip the next generation with the professional skills and technical expertise they need to succeed in a dynamic and volatile world.
The announcement follows extensive consultation with members, employers and learning providers around the world, as well as representatives of Gen Z. The redesigned qualification will be introduced from mid-2027.
Helen Brand, chief executive of ACCA, said: 'Accountancy is being redefined. Accountants are drivers of sustainable business, promoters of social value, and enablers of new technologies. They are sharpening their financial and ethical skills for a changed world of ever-shifting opportunities and challenges. They innovate with new business models and fresh thinking about what success looks like. They focus on people, planet and prosperity to create value for all.
'The changes we're making will equip the next generation for this exciting new future that will bring wider and more varied opportunities.'
Employability is a key focus of the changes, which include the introduction of Employability Modules at each of the qualification's three levels, providing simulated work experiences on topics such as digital tech, ethics, sustainability and business management.
Enhanced awards and designations recognise achievement and allow students to demonstrate their skills to employers at every stage of their ACCA journey.
Technology, sustainability and ethics, already integral to the ACCA Qualification, will be interwoven at every stage. Another innovation is a new Data Science Professional exam which students can choose as an option at the final 'Strategic Professional' level.
Kush Ahuja, Head of Eurasia and Middle East at ACCA, said: 'The ACCA Qualification has always been the gold standard, globally recognised and highly valued by employers in the Middle East . It will remain as rigorous, relevant, and future-focused as ever, with an even sharper focus on employability.
'The redesigned qualification comes together as a unified experience at each of its three levels with learning guidance and support, assessments, employability support, and help to develop skills. Students will benefit from tailored learning journeys supported by AI technology and a digital mentor.'
ACCA has prepared a smooth transition for all students currently on, or about to start, their ACCA journey. Existing achievements will be recognised and there will be no disadvantage in terms of progression and the cost to complete the qualification.
ACCA students will continue to benefit from the opportunity to attain a world-leading academic qualification alongside their ACCA studies with our new BSc (Hons) Professional Accountancy collaboration with the University of London.
ACCA is known for its focus on inclusion and opportunity. A redesigned 'Foundations' route requiring no prior qualifications provides those not meeting the entry criteria for the ACCA Qualification with a way to meet it.
Find out more at accaglobal.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mid East Info
5 days ago
- Mid East Info
Tuum Selected by Uptex Bank to Power E-Banking Expansion in Middle East and Africa - Middle East Business News and Information
Dubai, UAE – August 13, 2025 – Tuum, the leading next-generation core banking provider, has been selected by Oliver Business Development (OBD) Holding to power its newly licensed e-banking services in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) called Uptex Bank. The partnership marks Tuum's first customer in the Middle East and reinforces its strategy to support innovation-led financial institutions in fast-growing, regulated markets. Following the recent acquisition of its e-banking license, OBD is launching Uptex Bank, a suite of digital wallet and payment services designed to unify its growing financial ecosystem. This includes Uptex Broker, a forex and CFD broker in MEA, and Rizzbees, its EU-licensed Crypto Exchange Platform. The new proposition will run on Tuum's modular, cloud-native core, deployed via AWS in Europe and purpose-built for scalability, compliance, and rapid go-to-market. Uptex Bank was looking for a partner who could help them deliver a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in a very short timeframe without compromising on scale or regulatory readiness. Tuum's approach as a true partner, rather than a vendor, was key to making this possible. 'We're building a unique e-money proposition that brings together traditional and next-gen financial services into one seamless ecosystem,' said Archie Sol, Chief Marketing Officer. ' Tuum stood out as the platform to help us achieve this vision. From their sleek technology to the responsiveness of their team, it was clear that they're not just a vendor—they're a partner. With Tuum, we're not only launching fast, we're building for scale. Uptex Bank is built for people tired of the old way banks treat them. From Gen Z and digital-first users to everyday customers seeking something faster, fairer, and more intuitive. With Tuum's flexible, API-first platform, we're creating a banking experience that's modern, human, and built for how people live now, not how banks used to operate.' Crucially, Tuum's API-first infrastructure allows Uptex Bank to seamlessly integrate its new e-banking services with its existing brokerage and crypto exchange, enabling a unified, interoperable financial environment across its brands. The solution is fully aligned with Oman's regulatory framework, including requirements from the Central Bank of Oman and the Capital Market Authority. Tuum's technology will also enable OBD to support digital wallets and multi-currency payments (USD, EUR, GBP, AED, OMR, SAR) from day one. The group expects to onboard more than 50,000 users in its first year, with millions of transactions anticipated across its fintech portfolio. Uptex Bank selected Tuum through a competitive process, with speed, scalability, and regulatory readiness emerging as key differentiators. With an MVP launch planned within months, Tuum's ability to move fast while delivering enterprise-grade control gave Uptex Bank the confidence to move forward. Beyond the core platform, Tuum also worked closely with Uptex Bank to bring together the right ecosystem partners for the initiative ensuring each aligned with Uptex Bank's specific use cases and business model. 'This is a landmark win for Tuum,' said Miljan Stamenkovic, Chief Revenue Officer at Tuum. ' It shows the rising demand for modern, modular core banking platforms in the Middle East. OBD is building an ambitious and truly differentiated proposition in Oman and we're proud to provide the infrastructure behind it.' -Ends-
CairoScene
10-08-2025
- CairoScene
Buffalo Burger Just Launched Its First Breakfast Menu
Buffalo Burger is flipping the script on morning cravings with daily breakfast menus featuring egg burgers hot dogs tortillas and hash browns served until noon sharp. Aug 10, 2025 Buffalo Burger has entered its breakfast era, serving up an early morning menu that swaps basic café fare for egg-stacked fast food. They're plating up daily until 12pm, with a lineup that reads more like a late-night craving list than a typical breakfast. The menu is built around eggs in every possible format—think scrambled egg boxes, egg-topped chicken, egg and hot dog pairings, and even an eggs and turkey tortilla. It's loud, indulgent, and purposefully unfiltered, rounded out with golden hash browns on the side for the full experience. Fast food chains are increasingly chasing early risers, but Buffalo Burger's move feels more like a mirror of how Gen Z eats—chaotic, flexible, and without the boundaries of traditional mealtimes. In a city where food routines are shifting with work-from-anywhere culture, the concept of a fixed breakfast is disappearing, but egg and hot dog at 10am? Suddenly very normal.
Mid East Info
06-08-2025
- Mid East Info
ACCA and EY share new guidance to help businesses boost confidence in AI - Middle East Business News and Information
New paper sets out key considerations for business leaders and policy makers to help bolster confidence in AI systems Guidance aims to support effective AI assessments, through better governance, compliance and performance Paper seeks to help businesses deploy safe, reliable and effective AI systems, as AI adoption grows Businesses that undertake effective assessments of their artificial intelligence (AI) systems can better harness the technology's potential to boost innovation, productivity, and growth, according to a policy paper published by global accountancy body ACCA, (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and global professional services organisation, EY. The report – AI Assessments: Enhancing Confidence in AI – explores the emerging field of AI assessments, which encompasses a broad spectrum of AI evaluations, spanning technical, governance and compliance assessments, through to more traditional assurance and audits. It outlines the role these assessments can play in evaluating whether AI systems are well governed, compliant with applicable laws and regulations, and perform in line with business leaders' and other users' stated expectations. It makes the case that effective AI assessments allow businesses to deploy AI systems that are more likely to be effective, reliable and trusted. The paper also addresses the current challenges that come with these emerging types of AI assessments and identifies the key elements needed to make them robust and meaningful for their different users. AI assessments, whether voluntary or mandated, are increasingly being considered and used by businesses, investors, insurers and policymakers as adoption and deployment of AI accelerates around the world, and amid a growing need to build and enhance trust in the technology. The publication of the this paper comes at a time when the policy landscape relating to AI assessment continues to evolve. Among the latest developments is the Trump administration's publication of an AI Action Plan, which states that 'rigorous evaluations can be a critical tool in defining and measuring AI reliability and performance in regulated industries'. The paper details how effective AI assessments can foster increased confidence in AI. The paper identifies three emerging types of AI assessments: Governance assessments – to evaluate the internal governance structures surrounding AI systems; – to evaluate the internal governance structures surrounding AI systems; Conformity assessments – to determine compliance with any applicable laws, regulations and standards; and – to determine compliance with any applicable laws, regulations and standards; and Performance assessments – to measure AI systems against predefined quality and performance metrics. The report outlines a number of current challenges that hinder the robustness and effectiveness of some AI assessment frameworks and explains how these can be managed through the adoption of well-specified objectives; clearly defined methodologies and criteria; and competent, objective and professionally accountable providers. The report also sets out a number of concrete suggestions to help business leaders and policymakers ensure AI assessments are as effective as possible, including: Business leaders should consider the role AI assessments – including voluntary ones – can play in enhancing corporate governance, risk management and building confidence in AI systems among customers and employees. Policymakers are encouraged to very clearly define the purpose, components, methodology and criteria of AI assessments; and support AI assessment standards that are – to the extent practicable – compatible with those in other countries and in other ways minimally burdensome on businesses. Policymakers should also support capacity-building in the market to provide high-quality, consistent, and cost-effective assessments. Helen Brand, chief executive, ACCA, said: 'As AI scales across the economy the ability to trust what it says is not just important, it is vital for the public interest. This is an area where we need to bridge skills gaps and build trust in the AI eco-system as part of driving sustainable business. We look forward to collaborating with policymakers and others in this fascinating and important area.' Marie-Laure Delarue, EY Global Vice-Chair, Assurance, says: 'AI has been advancing faster than many of us could have imagined, and it now faces an inflection point, presenting incredible opportunities as well as complexities and risks. It is hard to overstate the importance of ensuring safe and effective adoption of AI. Rigorous assessments are an important tool to help build confidence in the technology, and confidence is the key to unlocking AI's full potential as a driver of growth and prosperity.' 'As businesses navigate the complexities of AI deployment, they are asking fundamental questions about the meaning and impact of their AI initiatives. This reflects a growing demand for trust services that align with EY's existing capabilities in assessments, readiness evaluations, and compliance.'
