The International Federation of Accountants® (IFAC®), the global organization for the accountancy profession, today revised upward by 16% the membership of its member bodies following analysis of membership data from 2009 to 2013. Conducted by the independent Centre for Economics and Business Research, the analysis shows that membership of IFAC’s more than 175 members and associates in 130 countries and jurisdictions now totals 2.84 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.
This growth is a combination of new accountants joining existing IFAC member organizations and new professional accountancy organizations (PAOs) joining IFAC. Over the four-year period:
- 69% of total growth was from IFAC member organizations expanding their ranks through organic growth; and
- 31% was through additional PAOs joining IFAC.
Fayez Choudhury, IFAC CEO, said, “IFAC is honored to represent 2.84 million accountants globally. They are men and women operating throughout society to strengthen organizations and economies, bound by a code of ethics that obliges them to act in the public interest. I am especially pleased that IFAC’s representation is being driven by organic membership growth within our member bodies, as well as PAOs successfully completing the rigorous journey to IFAC membership.”
In terms of organic growth, IFAC member organizations in advanced economies gained the most new members from 2009 to 2013. Regionally, membership of European IFAC member organizations grew the most—from 834,000 to 981,000 over the four-year period.
Since 2009, IFAC has added 21 new members and associates in almost every region of the globe. IFAC saw particularly strong growth in 2012 as a number of large PAOs became member organizations.
The study was conducted by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), an independent economics and business research consultancy, using data supplied by IFAC member organizations. The complete report—which includes findings on the state of the global accountancy profession and the profession’s impact on the global economy—will be issued later this year.
About IFAC
IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession, dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. It is comprised of more than 175 members and associates in 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing over 2.8 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.