Organization:Certified Public Accountants Association

The Certified Public Accountants Association (CPAA) (formerly Association of Certified Public Accountants and CPA UK) was formed in 1989 to represent the interests of certain accountants in the United Kingdom .

The association's National Administration Centre and Head Office is in Bolton, England .

Qualification

CPAA offers the designations of Certified Public Accountant (ACPA or FCPA). The American CPA Institute is the main accounting qualification in the United States ; there are also many CPAs in China, Australia and elsewhere. CPAA was founded in 1989 to offer a British version.

The association admits members based on their existing professional accounting body memberships,accountancy qualifications and experience. (As of April 2015) it is pursuing Ofqual recognition as an awarding body.Application process is designed to ensure that only those accountants who meet the association’s standards are admitted as members/students. Entry requirements includes membership from an IFAC [International Federation of Accountants] recognized member bodies & associates, also they must complete a practical assessment of their work by providing the association with copies of working-papers which they have prepared. The association has a 1,500-square-foot training suite which can seat up to 60 trainees.

Members wishing to use the designation Certified Public Accountant, or the designatory letters ACPA/ FCPA, in connection with offering services as a practicing public accountant to the general public/business community, must be in possession of a valid, current practicing certificate. For a firm to use the designation Certified Public Accountant(s), all the partners or directors/shareholders must be members of the association and the principal must hold a current practicing certificate.

Research bodies

• British Accounting Association
• European Accounting Association
• European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management
• International Association of Accounting and Educational Research
• Edge Hill University
• 2020 Innovation Training
• Bolton University
• The Manchester College