As we approach the new subscription year, I am pleased to share that AIA has continued to uphold the highest standards in professional education and deliver world class services, while making significant strides towards achieving our strategic objectives.
A great deal has happened over the past year, much of it important and impactful. While I cannot cover everything, I wanted to highlight a few key developments to give a flavour of the kind of work we have been undertaking on behalf of our members. Our strategy remains focused on driving growth and recognition for AIA while upholding our core values of collaboration, innovation, excellence, integrity, and respect.
This year we announced the appointment of Tobi Oladipo and Eleni Giannopoulou as lay members of the AIA Council. Their diverse professional backgrounds and specialist expertise will play a vital role in enhancing the Council’s collective strength and reinforcing AIA’s commitment to excellence in corporate governance.
We were proud to stand alongside fellow signatories of the Sustainable Finance Education Charter (SFEC) in reaffirming our commitment to building a more sustainable future for the finance profession. The Annual Progress Report 2024 highlights the collective progress made in embedding sustainability into financial education and professional development.
AIA also gained a new ‘On the Road to Net Zero’ certification from climate action platform, Net Zero Now; this milestone signifies the start of our journey to becoming a Net Zero business. As an initial step, we calculated our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions for the fiscal year 2022/23. Moving forward, we commit to transparently sharing our carbon footprint data annually.
The AIA Examiners' Conference this year centred on the themes of futureproofing and sustainability in professional qualifications, addressing how the accountancy profession can adapt to the evolving landscape. Recognising the importance of sustainability to future generations is a key part of our strategy and we were named as a Green Ambassador for the Edupro Green Talent Awards 2025, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability, ethical business leadership, and empowering the next generation of changemakers.
We also announced the recipients of the 2025 AIA Scholarships, an initiative funded by The AIA Educational & Benevolent Trust to support outstanding aspiring accountants from across the Commonwealth. This prestigious award fully funds the AIA Professional Qualification and is designed to unlock potential, remove barriers, and create pathways into the profession for those committed to making a difference through accountancy. The AIA Scholarship Programme will reopen later this year, with 2026 applications launching soon for candidates across the UK and the Commonwealth.
In addition, we have expanded our global reach through new partnerships with education providers, such as our collaboration with Finprov Learning in India, to make AIA qualifications more accessible to aspiring accountants worldwide.
Our action working in the public interest continues with updates to our Sanctions Handbook and the publication of the annual AML supervisory activity report for example. The revised Handbook outlines enhanced procedures and clear guidance for determining appropriate sanctions in cases of alleged professional misconduct. It reflects our ongoing commitment to upholding high standards of ethical behaviour and professional accountability within the accounting profession.
We have also maintained regular dialogue with government departments and standard-setting organisations, offering expert input on behalf of our members. This includes participating in stakeholder roundtables, submitting written evidence, and collaborating with other professional bodies to present a unified voice on issues affecting the accountancy profession. These efforts are part of our broader mission to support members professionally, represent their interests, and help shape a regulatory environment that is fair, proportionate, and forward-looking.
In addition to our advocacy work, we have kept members up to date through timely briefings, webinars, and articles in International Accountant magazine, covering everything from legislative updates to best practice guidance. Our aim is not only to inform but to empower members to navigate change confidently and compliantly. We continue to frequently release updated guidance for members, including working with partners such as the European Federation of Accountants and Auditors for SMEs (EFAA) to provide guidance on how SMPs can build capacity to support SMEs in sustainability reporting and assurance.
These are just a few examples of how we have been working to support, represent, and inspire our members. As we look ahead to the new year, we remain focused on delivering high-quality services, championing professional standards, and helping our members thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Thank you for your continued support.
Shahram Moallemi, AIA President
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