ACCA milestones

1988: The first ACCA delegation, headed by Charles Fung, former chairman of ACCA Hong Kong, visited the China Association for International Exchange of Personnel (CAIEP), the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA), two weeks after its establishment.

1989: The China Association for International Exchange of Personnel (CAIEP) signed a cooperation agreement with ACCA. According to the agreement, CAIEP would, jointly with the MoF, the former Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC) and the National Audit Office of China (CNAO), organize qualified accountants with good technical and English skills to study for the ACCA qualification and select a few quality universities to set up ACCA training programs.

1990: With the coordination of CAIEP, ACCA sponsored the first ACCA training course in Beijing in cooperation with CNAO Auditor Training Center. The first batch of 30 outstanding professionals was selected from MoF, MOFTEC and CNAO to participate in the course with training work placements in Hong Kong.

1991: The irst CICPA national uniform examination was held.

1992: The first ACCA training program was set up in Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE).

1993: ACCA training programs were set up at a few select universities in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Dalian and Wuhan in 1993 and 1994.

1994: ACCA signed a protocol with CICPA. Both sides agreed to hold consultations on the development of accounting, professional regulation and discipline, professional training, education and examinations.

1996: Shanghai Otis Elevator Co Ltd joined the Approved Employer Scheme and became the first foreign Platinum Approved Employer (Trainee Development Stream) on the Chinese mainland.

1997: Owen Zhang Ke, deputy director general of the General Office, China National Audit Office (CNAO), was elected the representative to the International Assembly of ACCA. He was the first representative from the Chinese mainland.

1998: The training Center of China National Audit Office (CNAO) started to offer the first ACCA training program. It is the first ACCA training center on the Chinese mainland. ACCA set up its offices in Shanghai and Beijing in March and May 1998.

2000: ACCA organized the first graduation ceremony on the mainland in October 2000 in Beijing and Shanghai. More than 100 students were awarded certificates of graduation.

2001: The third mainland office was established in Guangzhou.

2002: The ACCA's Chinese language website went online.

2003: ACCA elected the first Chinese president in its 100-year history, Sam K O Wong, partner of Ernst & Young.

2004: ACCA and CICPA co-organized the ACCA centenary conference, themed "Corporate Governance & Social Responsibility" on February 25, 2004. Senior officials from CICPA, and the China Securities and Regulatory Commission (CSRC) addressed the conference. David Weijun Wu, partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers, was elected to the ACCA Council and became the first council member from the Chinese mainland.

2005: ACCA announced nine-paper exemptions to MPAcc holders, after the MPAcc program (Master of Professional Accountancy) began in 21 universities and institutions.

2006: Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Ltd joined the Approved Employer Scheme and became the First Chinese Platinum Approved Employer (Trainee Development Stream) on the mainland.

2007: ACCA and China Life Insurance exchanged a Strategic Collaboration Memorandum as a commitment to cooperate in the professional development and training of financial professionals in the company.

2008: Celebrating 20 years in China, ACCA has grown to an accountancy body of 32,000 students and 20,000 members in China. It has established partnerships with 39 universities and institutions, 600 employers and operates 27 exam centers and four offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

(China Daily 10/13/2008 page6)