Arab Society Formed at Association
01 Oct 1983Acting as catalyst and adviser, the Association of Certified Accountants has fostered the birth of a new international accounting body.
The Arab Society of Certified Accountants was formed earlier this month at a meeting held at Lincoln’s Inn Fields and attended by accountants from 15 Arab states.
Professor John Small has played a major part in the development which was initiated during his overseas tour earlier this year when Association President. Also prominently involved has been Jordanian Talal Abu-Ghazaleh who was elected President of the first nine member Council of the Arab Society.
“Out ultimate goal is full recognition and we will not act in any way which will put this in jeopardy”, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh told Certified Accountant.
“We chose to work with the Association as it is the only reputable leading international body which also has experience of international co-operation arrangements with other bodies.”
Professor Small had told the meeting, held at the Association’s invitation and chaired by Vice President Frederick Bleasdale, that it might at first sight seem impertinent for a UK body to convene a meeting to consider the future of the Arab profession. But the Association was strong internationally, had 400 members and 1,000 students in Arab countries and had as one of its policies the aim of helping in the establishment of indigenous professions.
In holding the meeting the Association was responding to the requests of many. The purpose was two-fold: to see if the idea of an Arab Society was worth pursuing further and, if so, what should be the next steps taken.
Those who attended did so in a personal capacity. But the 28 participants were all leading accountants from major Arab or international firms — partners front Peat, Marwick Mitchell, Ernst & Whinney and Deloitte Haskins and Sells being among those present.
The outcome was a firm commitment to the new Society which is likely — initially at least — to be relatively select and to be practice-based.
At present Arab accountants may hold UK, American or other internationally recognized qualifications but are licensed to audit by their Governments on an individual basis according to experience. There are no national professional accounting bodies along UK or US lines.
Membership of the new Society is to be open to members of CCAB bodies or any other approved national body who are either Arab or who have resided in an Arab country for at least two years. There is also to be a ‘grandfather’ clause operable for a short period giving the council power to admit Arab nationals who have suitable education and experience.
Most significantly the Society is aiming to become an examining body, although in the first phase of development will be recommending and relying on the Certified training route.
Other decisions were that the Society would be London- based for the time being, would be independent and Pan-Arab in nature and would, once established, seek recognition by Arab Governments and other Arab and international bodies.
“This is an important and historic event which could not have happened without Association sponsorship and cannot continue without its support”, Mr. Abu-Ghazeleh told the meeting.
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