The Society of Certified Accountants and Auditors of Kosovo (SCAAK) is a non-governmental and nonprofit organization established in 2001 with the purpose of implementing and promoting global standards and best practices within the profession and fostering economic development for the public interest. We have played a pivotal role in guiding our country towards a new economic era and have established ourselves as a center of excellence for the accountancy profession.
Our journey began with a simple idea that has since evolved into an institution committed to serving the needs of our economy, which has continuously progressed, thus creating challenges that we are committed to addressing.
For years, we have focused on building a strong community of certified accountants and licensed auditors. Our members thrived in various sectors, from private businesses to public organizations, ensuring that Kosovo's financial framework remained robust and transparent. The organization became a leader in the field, known for its commitment to quality and its role in shaping the profession within the country.
However, as Kosovo's economy evolved, so too did the demands placed on its professionals. The traditional roles of accountants and auditors, while essential, were no longer sufficient to meet the growing complexities of modern finance and governance. We realized that the time had come to expand our vision, to think beyond the boundaries of traditional qualifications and explore new horizons.
Our goal was to create career pathways that offer flexibility and mobility, enabling professionals to transition between the public and private sectors without needing to restart the qualification process. We have seen the pitfalls of a fragmented approach in so many other countries, where different organizations trained and monitored groups of professionals separately, leading to limited career progression.
To achieve this goal, we launched several innovative projects aimed at expanding professional qualifications into new sectors. The first step in this new direction was a bold collaboration with the Kosovo Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) to develop the first-ever qualification program tailored for auditors working within the SAI framework. This partnership led to the successful development and implementation of a comprehensive auditor qualification program, which has since produced a group of highly skilled public sector auditors contributing to increased transparency and accountability in government financial operations.
Additionally, we partnered with the Ministry of Finance to design specialized qualifications in Public Financial Management (PFM), to empower financial professionals to effectively manage and oversee public funds, thereby enhancing fiscal responsibility and economic stability in Kosovo.
Recognizing the increasing demand for professionals in related accountancy fields, SCAAK introduced qualifications for internal audit in both the public and private sectors and developed advanced specialized programs for forensic accounting, insolvency practitioners and tax experts.
As we introduced new qualifications, it became clear that our governance needed to reflect this diversity. Up to that point, we had been governed by a board that represented accountants and auditors, but the introduction of public sector accountancy and internal auditing qualifications called for change. It was clear that new members needed a voice at the table, so we restructured our board to include direct representation for this new group of professionals. This restructuring was not just about governance; it was an acknowledgment of the profession's evolving nature.
Meeting market demands naturally led to the expansion of our membership base. Professionals from a wider range of sectors were now joining SCAAK, bringing with them diverse perspectives and expertise. This influx of new members contributed to the sustainability of the organization, ensuring that we remain financially resilient and relevant in an increasingly complex economic environment.
On this journey we also faced challenges in navigating the complexities of developing tailored qualification programs that met both international standards and specific national needs. Overcoming resistance to change within traditional frameworks required persistent advocacy and demonstration of the long-term benefits of diversification. The need to restructure the representation at SCAAK’s board to include new membership categories also posed challenges in terms of governance and ensuring that all voices were adequately represented.
Coordination with multiple stakeholders, including government agencies and international donors, presented logistical and administrative difficulties. We addressed these challenges by fostering open communication, engaging in thorough needs assessments, and leveraging SCAAK’s expertise in professional education.
Through these experiences we learned the importance of adaptability, proactive partnership building, and the value of extending our services beyond conventional boundaries to remain relevant and impactful.
Looking ahead, we plan to build on our recent successes by continuing to explore opportunities for collaboration across various industries and sectors, to further diversify our qualification programs, exploring ways to integrate emerging topics like digital finance, sustainability accounting, and risk management into our curriculum.
In this regard, we are introducing new associate membership categories to bring in business organizations. This collaboration, designed to be mutually beneficial, will enable businesses to take a more active role in expressing their needs, allowing us to address them more efficiently.
And so, the journey continues—driven by a passion for excellence, a commitment to learning, and an unwavering belief in the power of professional development to transform not just individuals, but entire economies.
