ACCA elects new president

Melanie Proffitt, chief financial officer at Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds, has been elected president of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Proffitt, who will lead more than 257,000 members and 530,000 future members across 180 countries, is stepping back from her role at Farncombe Estate to focus full time on her presidential duties.

A member of ACCA’s Council since 2015, Proffitt has served as vice president and deputy president and has worked closely with members around the world, including in India, Africa and Europe.

She said her presidency will focus on showcasing how the profession is being redefined through greater flexibility, accessibility and diversity.

Additionally, Proffitt has been a strong advocate for making accountancy careers more inclusive, describing ACCA as a “career passport” that allows professionals to work across different industries and countries. 

She has also supported initiatives in Africa and India that help women gain financial independence and leadership opportunities through accountancy.

She will serve alongside deputy president Datuk Zaiton Mohd Hassan, chief executive of the Malaysia Professional Accountancy Centre, and vice president Cristina Gutu, a director with KPMG Romania and Moldova.

This marks the second consecutive year that women have held all three ACCA officer roles. 

Proffitt succeeds Ayla Majid, an international expert on energy, decarbonisation and climate technology, whom she credited for demonstrating that “with accountancy and with ACCA, there is no ceiling on achievement.”

She said: “Accountancy has not just been my career. It has given me so many incredible opportunities along the way, and I’m excited to be able to give back in a new way now, with my role as ACCA president. I am particularly proud to serve as a female leader of a global body. Being able to stand up and inspire other young women to aim high and not be afraid of achieving success is deeply important to me.

“ACCA is redefining what accountancy looks like in the 21st century. From our newly redesigned qualification to working with underrepresented communities and individuals, we are committed to showing how accountancy is a career that is fulfilling, dynamic and full of exciting opportunities.”