The Association of International Accountants (AIA) is a leading professional body for accountants and finance professionals with a long-standing reputation for excellence in professional education and a dynamic global membership.
Based in the United Kingdom, AIA has an established history of improving professional skills and ethical standards across the sector; our members are recognised, respected and regulated.
AIA’s commitment to protecting the public interest and advancing professional standards is evident through our respected qualifications portfolio, robust membership requirements and the production of research, best practice and skills guidance.
Members are bound by the AIA Constitution which includes regulatory requirements and a Code of Ethics.
AIA actively seeks further accreditation, recognition and independent regulation with external stakeholders, government and standard setters to ensure both the AIA and its members are trusted, respected and accountable.
AIA is a Recognised Qualifying Body (RQB) for statutory auditors in the UK and regulated by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). AIA is a Prescribed Body under the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2014 in the Republic of Ireland.
AIA's professional qualification has been independently assessed by the UK National Information Centre (UK ENIC, formerly NARIC) for global qualifications and skills as comparable to Level 7 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework. AIA has also published an independent review of its Professional Qualification mapped against additional international education frameworks.
AIA is a supervisory body under the UK and ROI Money Laundering Regulations. AIA practising certificate holders also enjoy additional wide ranging statutory and business recognition.
European Federation of Accountants and Auditors (EFAA)
The European Federation of Accountants and Auditors for small and medium-sized enterprises (EFAA for SMEs) is an umbrella organisation for national accountants and auditors’ organisations whose individual members provide professional services primarily to SMEs within the European Union and Europe as a whole. It was founded in 1994.
EFAA for SMEs has 15 members throughout Europe representing over 380,000 accountants, auditors and tax advisors.
EFAA for SMEs is a member of the association of crafts and SMEs (SMEunited) and a founding member of the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG).
SMEs are the backbone of Europe’s economy, and small- and medium-sized accounting, auditing, and tax advisor practices (SMPs) are their most important provider of compliance and advisory services. SMPs help SMEs and entrepreneurs produce high quality financial information to help them better manage their business and gain the trust and confidence of stakeholders. Furthermore, they help SMEs gain access to finance and they provide them with business advice that enables them to grow sustainably. In the coming years, as the EU executes its new industrial strategy to lead the twin transitions towards climate neutrality and digital leadership, SMPs will play a key role in helping SMEs stay at the forefront of this transition.
EFAA, the voice of SMPs in Europe, strives to speak out to influence regulators, policy makers, standard setters, and other key stakeholders in the EU, and where necessary globally. The end goal is to promote the role of SMPs as well as ensure that regulation and standards are proportional and scalable and that there is a level playing field in the market for professional services.
The Commonwealth
AIA is a Commonwealth Accredited Organisation.
The Commonwealth network consists of three inter-governmental and over 80 professional or civil society organisations
Accreditation is a formal recognition by the Commonwealth that an organisation:
An accredited organisation:
Accreditation to the Commonwealth is carried out by the Accreditation Committee, which is formed of a subset of member governments.
TheCityUK
TheCityUK is the industry-led body representing UK-based financial and related professional services.
Their purpose is to champion and support the success of the UK-based financial and related professional services ecosystem, and thereby their members.
Northern Powerhouse UK Government Initiative
The Northern Powerhouse is recognised across the world as an established, globally competitive and thriving economic area with ambition for growth.
We work with our network of over 300 partners to share business success stories and news of job creation and growth, highlighting all the North has to offer as a great place to do business.
Our Partner Programme is made up of businesses from across the North, from international organisations with a Northern presence to SMEs and from a variety of sectors.
We work together to showcase activity, from apprenticeship opportunities to clean growth initiatives, highlighting business success across the Northern Powerhouse.
Federation of Awarding Bodies
The Federation of Awarding Bodies is the membership organisation for technical and professional awarding organisations in the UK.
They liaise with key stakeholders including Government departments, regulators and funding agencies to represent the interests of awarding organisations.
Our policies are developed with members through a range of working groups, and regular updates keep members informed of the latest policy developments.
AIA’s engagement with government, standard setters, regulators and other stakeholders forms an integral part of the services that we provide for members and ensures that we remain at the forefront of the profession by shaping its future, such as with AIA's commitment to the Green Finance Education Charter and sustainability agenda.
Discover more of our partners and how we work in the public interestAIA is a leading force in the accountancy profession, providing a strong voice, superior qualifications and unrivalled support for accountants worldwide.
AIA is a membership organisation providing world class qualifications, training and services to support accountants throughout their working lives, equipping them with the skills, knowledge and expertise to ensure they are at the forefront of their profession. We act in the public interest and promote and develop the accountancy profession and the interests of our members.
