AICPA Council votes to offer specialized credentials outside of U.S.

The AICPA governing Council approved a measure allowing the Institute to offer four of its specialized credentials outside the United States.

The resolution gives the AICPA’s board of directors the authority to make available, through non-U.S. accounting bodies, the following credentials:

• Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV)
• Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF)
• Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP)
• Personal Financial Specialist (PFS)

The participating non-U.S. accounting bodies must have stringent codes of conduct and eligibility requirements and have enough national or international stature to maintain the integrity of the credentials. Professionals holding the AICPA’s credentials outside the United States will be required to meet rigorous criteria set by the National Accreditation Commission and remain in good standing with the relevant accounting organization.

The AICPA is initially exploring making the credentials available to members of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), its joint venture partner on the Global Chartered Management Accountant (CGMA) designation. It is also exploring a pilot program focusing on forensics and IT with the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada. It could begin as soon as the fall, but details must still be worked out and approved by both organizations. The idea is to develop credentials that are recognized throughout North America.