ACCA partners with FreeBalance

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with FreeBalance in a bid to focus support on Public Financial Management (PFM) reform.

Under the agreement, ACCA and FreeBalance will explore global opportunities to collaborate “in support of their mutual objectives to promote and enhance stronger public financial management”. 

The partnership reportedly includes the provision of ACCA certifications through the FreeBalance academy.

Additionally, the organisations will also explore joint public sector related research, policy responses and global events to promote the value of public sector financial management for strong economies.

ACCA said they share a commitment to supporting the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), and to enhancing transparency, promoting good governance and implementing sound fiscal management.

These shared goals, global connections and reach, along with technical expertise, “make the partners ideally placed” to jointly undertake initiatives to support stronger fiscal management, skills development and PFM reform.

The agreement was virtually signed by Helen Brand, ACCA’s chief executive, and Manuel Schiappa Pietra, FreeBalance’s president and chief executive officer.

Brand said: “We are very pleased to enter into this agreement with FreeBalance as strong public sector financial management is necessary to handle the economic impacts of Covid-19 and the climate crisis. 

“There’s a vital need in 2022 for governments to invest in their public financial management systems, and the expertise to manage this work, so that they are flexible and resilient enough to deal with future crises.”

Pietra added: “By working together, we can make a significant contribution to capacity building, good governance, accountability and transparency in governments around the world. Strong PFM systems and capacity leads to sustainable growth and prosperity.”