On 14 February, our lead market directors Soo Yee Leong and Lucia Real-Martin provided an update about the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. Since then we’ve been in close contact with our members, students and partners in Greater China, and subsequently in other impacted countries, on practical and logistical issues to provide support, and share knowledge and ideas.

Staying connected

The virus has now spread worldwide, and we understand the concern and worry. In this unsettling situation, it’s encouraging to see people pulling together and to witness the resilience displayed by individuals, businesses and governments.

ACCA is operating within official guidelines to support our members and other stakeholders, and as far as possible continue business as usual. We’re all very much in this together, and so sharing best practice is essential.

Helping our members tackle the challenges

As professional accountants, our members are at the forefront of managing, safeguarding and advising on the financial stability and integrity of businesses and organisations worldwide.

ACCA members will continue to play a key role in assessing the financial implications and risks of the Covid-19, helping to guide organisations through the challenges, and playing a key role in business continuity. This is an important part of the public value demonstrated by the profession - providing leadership in challenging circumstances.

We commit to keeping members up to date with relevant online resources in this fast-moving situation.

Our new Covid-19 online hub contains relevant information and insights for members and other stakeholders – such as regularly updated economic analysis, CPD resources for members, signposting to sources of business support from government and other agencies, and advice on how businesses can plan through a crisis. This hub will be refreshed regularly - www.accaglobal.com/covid-19

We’ll also include relevant articles and interviews in our weekly member e-zine AB Direct, and our other publications.

Finding solutions together

As a global professional body with stakeholders across 179 countries, like many organisations, we’ve had to review, change or even cancel plans, for example relating to student exam sittings and member events. Where this has happened, we’ve consulted, rescheduled, advised, and found alternative solutions.

Our partners – such as learning providers and employers – have worked with us to find solutions, and ensure we remain connected.

In taking these decisions, the health and safety of our people, and the wider ACCA community, has been, and will continue, to be our priority.

Over the past weeks we’ve provided online support for members and students who are restricted to their homes. We have boosted online CPD and webinars for members and learning support for students in impacted countries.

Our digital capabilities have also helped us to continue to represent members and fulfil our public interest remit. Despite the virus, ACCA Hong Kong SAR’s tax panel of members still held its annual press conference about the government’s Budget Recommendations – for the first time online. They appealed to the government on extending deadline for tax filing and annual reporting and secured important media coverage.

By your side

At this time, we’re very conscious of the changing needs and concerns of our members and ACCA’s wider connections and we’ll work to harness the collective wisdom and knowledge of this community for mutual benefit.

Our aim is to find alternative approaches, so we can continue to support our members, students and stakeholders for the duration of the outbreak and beyond.

We’ll continue to monitor the impact of this virus and will update you with any major developments.

Keeping in contact

If you need to speak to us about any issues relating to your membership, or any student-related enquiry, please contact ACCA Connect +44 141 582 2000 or email info@accaglobal.com, or if you have any ideas for additional support, guidance or insights please contact helen.thompson@accaglobal.com

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