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Prescribed
Accountancy Bodies

There are five prescribed accountancy bodies operating in Ireland – ACCA, AIA, CAI, CIMA, and CIPFA – with a combined Irish membership of over 43,000 members. Approximately 10,000 members work in accounting and auditing practice, offering services to businesses and members of the public.

Members of Prescribed Accountancy Bodies are:

QUALIFIED
The prescribed accountancy bodies require their members to complete an education process, pass professional examinations and undertake a period of on-the-job training to become a member.
REGULATEDThe prescribed accountancy bodies insist on minimum standards of performance and ethical behaviour. Their members must comply with their rules, regulations and code of ethics.
 
Each year, members of prescribed accountancy bodies must participate in training activities to keep their knowledge up to date and maintain their professional competence.
MONITOREDThe prescribed accountancy bodies monitor annual returns submitted to them by their members and may inspect the work done by their members for clients to ensure that it is of a good standard.
INSUREDMembers of prescribed accountancy bodies who work in practice must have professional indemnity insurance.
ACCOUNTABLEIf a client is dissatisfied with the service provided by a member of a prescribed accountancy body they can make a complaint to that body.
 
A prescribed accountancy body can take action where a member fails to meet the required standards. This can include disciplinary action.

IAASA’s Role

IAASA supervises the regulatory processes of the five prescribed accountancy bodies. This means that IAASA conducts supervisory reviews to examine how the bodies monitor and regulate their members, reviews regulatory reports provided by the bodies, as well as approving the rules, regulations and standards that apply to their members.

IAASA may take action against a prescribed accountancy body where it appears that they have failed to comply with the law or IAASA’s requirements. You can find out more about how IAASA supervises the prescribed accountancy bodies in our explanatory factsheet available at the following link.

Need to engage the services of an accountant?

Find out if your accountant is a current member of a prescribed accountancy body by contacting the prescribed accountancy body directly or searching their membership directory on their website.

The List of Prescribed Accountancy Bodies

Chartered Accountants Ireland

CAI has 21,887 members in Ireland. It has authorised 1,907 members in Ireland to offer services to businesses and members of the public.

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

ACCA has 12,715 members in Ireland. It has authorised 845 members in Ireland to offer services to businesses and members of the public.

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

CIMA has 4,440 members in Ireland. It has authorised 60 members in Ireland to offer services to businesses and members of the public.

CPA Ireland

CPA Ireland has 4,027 members in Ireland. It has authorised 634 members in Ireland to offer services to businesses and members of the public.

Association of International Accountants

AIA has 199 members in Ireland. It has authorised 30 members in Ireland to offer services to businesses and members of the public. 

Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy

CIPFA has 53 members in Ireland. CIPFA does not award practising certificates to its members.

Statistics above are at 31/12/22