The Value of PAO Partnerships
Professional Accountancy Organization (PAO) partnerships are pivotal to fostering global collaboration, strengthening institutional capacity, and addressing the rapidly evolving challenges of the accounting profession. By facilitating the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and best practices, these collaborations empower PAOs to implement sustainable improvements and navigate emerging trends such as sustainability reporting and digital transformation.
The recently formalized partnership between the Moroccan Order of Chartered Accountants (OEC Morocco) and two leading French organizations—the National Council of the Order of Chartered Accountants (CNOEC) and the National Company of Statutory Auditors (CNCC)—exemplifies this potential. This agreement, signed during the CNOEC Congress in October 2024, reflects a shared commitment to advancing the profession through targeted initiatives and mutual support.
Facilitated by the International Development and Partnerships Department (DDPI) of CNOEC and CNCC, this agreement establishes a framework for dialogue and collaboration to address contemporary challenges, particularly in areas such as sustainability and artificial intelligence.
Key Objectives
The partnership aims to strengthen the accounting profession through:
- Knowledge Exchange: Sharing insights on global challenges such as sustainability and artificial intelligence (AI).
- Capacity Building: Providing technical training to enhance the competencies of accounting professionals.
- Strategic Advocacy: Coordinating positions on global issues within multilateral organizations.
This collaborative framework is designed to address contemporary issues while adhering to IFAC guidelines and respective national regulations. Aligning with IFAC’s mission to foster collaboration and capacity building, this partnership offers valuable lessons for other PAOs. It demonstrates that effective partnerships can lead to sustainable progress, equipping the profession to meet the demands of a dynamic global economy. Additionally, this initiative reflects the objectives of the IFAC PAO Development Advisory Group, which supports IFAC’s strategic objectives by advising on industry trends, advocating for PAO strengthening, mentoring developing PAOs, and facilitating access to resources and expertise to enhance capacity building and compliance with global best practices. By leveraging the insights and frameworks promoted by IFAC, this partnership serves as a model for sustainable capacity-building efforts that drive ethical and technical excellence within the profession.
In a spirit of sharing knowledge and expertise, the National Council of the Order of Chartered Accountants (CNOEC France) has granted the Moroccan Order of Chartered Accountants (OEC Maroc) access to Datalake "La Source," an innovative collaborative economic analysis tool. This platform leverages data produced or held by chartered accountants to develop new, high value-added consulting assignments and generate valuable economic insights.
Additionally, CNOEC France regularly shares the digital version of its monthly SIC magazine with OEC Maroc at no cost. This publication provides readers with cutting-edge tools, strategies, and privileged insights to anticipate and address global challenges facing the accounting profession, while highlighting emerging trends and best practices.
Further enhancing this spirit of collaboration, CNOEC France’s Development and International Partnerships Department has been offering free, targeted training sessions to all OEC Morocco members. Delivered through a series of monthly webinars, these sessions address critical topics such as sustainability, artificial intelligence, digitalization, ERRS1 and 2 standards, and Pack PE compliance.
Lastly, under this renewed partnership, OEC Maroc will host a seminar focusing on the opportunities and challenges of transitioning to green taxation. This event will feature Mr. Hubert Tondeur, CNOEC’s Vice-President in charge of sustainability, as a keynote participant.
Focus Areas: Sustainability and AI
Sustainability and AI are central to this agreement, highlighting the growing importance of these themes in accounting and auditing. Key initiatives include:
- Sustainability Reporting: Complimentary training for OEC Morocco members on European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), fostering integration of sustainability practices into professional workflows.
- AI in Accounting and Auditing: Training sessions on the application of AI in areas such as fraud detection, risk management, and financial data analysis.
- AML/CTF Compliance: Sessions to enhance capabilities in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, vital for safeguarding financial systems.
These efforts aim to equip professionals with the skills needed to adapt to a rapidly changing environment, ensuring ethical and technical excellence.
A Model for International Cooperation
This collaboration underscores the importance of cross-border partnerships in addressing shared challenges and strengthening the profession globally. By pooling resources and expertise, OEC Morocco, CNOEC, and CNCC demonstrate how targeted initiatives can enhance resilience and drive innovation.
Aligning with IFAC’s mission to foster collaboration and capacity building, this partnership offers valuable lessons for other PAOs. It demonstrates that effective partnerships can lead to sustainable progress, equipping the profession to meet the demands of a dynamic global economy.
Expanding Regional Collaboration: Partnership Between CR CRC Morocco and CROEC Nouvelle-Aquitaine
At the regional level, OEC Morocco’s Casablanca & Central Regions Council has also partnered with the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Council of CNOEC. Signed in April 2024, this agreement focuses on fostering closer ties through scientific collaboration, event participation, and sharing of best practices.
Such regional partnerships complement national-level collaborations by ensuring that shared knowledge is adapted to local contexts, further amplifying their impact.
