Association of International Accountants

The Association of International Accountants (AIA) was founded in the UK in 1928 as a professional accountancy body and from conception has promoted the concept of ‘international accounting’ to create a global network of accountants in over 85 countries worldwide [ [http://www.aiaworldwide.com Association of International Accountants ] ] .

AIA is a Recognised Qualifying Body (RQB) for company auditors under the Companies Act 1989.

AIA merged in April 2003 with the Institute of Company Accountants (IComA).

The AIA Head Office is based at the new Metro-Riverside business park, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, and they have established branches in Hong Kong, Greece, Cyprus, Ghana, Ireland, Singapore and Malaysia.

Membership

There are a number of entry levels AIA offers applicants, depending on their qualifications and work experience profile.

Student membership is designed for those applicants who wish to undertake the AIA Professional Qualification, which is achieved through work experience and examinations. On completion of the examinations, three years relevant work experience is required before full membership is granted. Upon successful completion of the AIA qualification the status of "International accountant" is achieved.

AIA members are equipped with the relevant skills to explore a wide range of career options and are part of a growing network of professionals who hold key positions in multinationals, SMEs, private practice and the public sector across the globe.

AIA members use the designatory letters FAIA, as a Fellow and AAIA as an Associate. And AIA members can use the title or designation of "International Accountant".Those who achieve the AIA’s Recognised Professional Qualification as a company auditor are able to register with a recognised supervisory body (RSB) and undertake company audits of companies of all sizes in the UK in accordance with the UK Companies Acts.All AIA members must undertake Continuing Professional Development, are subject to Disciplinary Procedures and adhere to the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Code of Ethics. AIA is regulated by the Professional Oversight Board, part of the UK’s Financial Reporting Council.

Affiliate membership is offered to those applicants who have had over five years work experience in accountancy and finance, and want to become a member of a professional accountancy body. Affiliate members are entitled to use the designation AMIA. Affiliate membership is not full membership of AIA, as an Affiliate member you are not authorised to sign off accounts, nor are you eligible for an AIA practising certificate.

Direct membership is offered to those individuals who are able to demonstrate their achievements in the profession, are members of specified professional bodies, or who already have the right to practice in the UK under Regulation 5 of the European Communities Regulations 1991.

Academic membership is offered exclusively to academics, who are working at universities or colleges and teaching at lecturer level or above. Applicants could also be a consultant or examiner for a professional body. Academic members are entitled to use the designation FAIA(Acad).It should be noted that AIA Academic Membership will not convey any entitlement to the AIA Professional Qualification.

Professional Qualifications

In addition the AIA Professional Qualification, there is also the option to undertake an AIA Diploma.

AIA currently offer the following Diplomas:
* Executive Diploma in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
* Diploma in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) - China
* Diploma in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) - Greece
* Diploma in Corporate Finance for Decision Making
* Diploma in Management Accounting & Costing
* Diploma in Auditing

Council

* President: Andreas Aloneftis, FAIA, MBA, AdipC
* Vice President: Andrew Lamb, FAIA FCIPD FinstD
* Vice President: Maggie Timoney, FAIA
* Chief Executive: Philip Turnbull, FAIA FCCA FCPA FIMIS

International Accountant

"International Accountant" is the designation used by AIA full qualification members.

"International Accountant" is also the bi-monthly magazine published by AIA. Members receive the magazine as a membership benefit, and it is also available to subscribers.

The magazine offers reader’s a variety of news stories which affect the profession, SME news, technical updates, and interviews with figureheads throughout the business world, as well as articles on issues such as IFRS, tax, environmental accounting, insolvency, Islamic accounting and ICT solutions.

A supplement, the Student Focus, is issued to all AIA students in the March and August issues of International Accountant, with updates on the AIA exams and syllabus, examiner feedback, and articles designed to give students a better understanding of topics they are studying.

External links

* [http://www.aiaworldwide.com Official web site]

References