Background
The ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) on Accountancy Services establishes a framework for recognition of accountancy qualifications among ASEAN member states to facilitate professional mobility across jurisdictions. ACPACC (the ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountant Coordinating Committee) coordinates national accountancy regulators and monitors implementation of the 2020–2030 Roadmap under the MRA.
From 15 to 16 June 2026, ACAR Deputy Director General Nean Bony represented Director General Bou Tharin at the 30th ACPACC meeting, accompanied by ACAR Director Nob Sambath and other ACAR officials; Kampuchea Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Auditors CEO Savuth Daly also participated. As of June 2026, the total number of professionals registered as ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountants reached 8,560, an increase of 357 compared with the prior reporting period; Timor‑Leste did not participate in the meeting.
Scope of Application
The ACPACC process and the MRA framework apply to ASEAN Member States that participate in ACPACC coordination and to professionals registered under ASEAN CPA and Registered Foreign Professional Accountant (RFPA) schemes. Reporting and monitoring activities under ACPACC cover national monitoring committees, registrant counts, and cross‑border mobility arrangements defined within the ASEAN accountancy Roadmap (2020–2030).
Key Provisions or Decisions
- Monitoring committee updates: the meeting reviewed composition updates for national monitoring committees from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Singapore.
- Registrant figures: ACPACC reported 8,560 registered ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountants as of June 2026, representing a net increase of 357 registrants.
- Registered Foreign Professional Accountants (RFPAs): the meeting included agenda items updating counts and status of RFPAs across participating states.
- Mobility and Roadmap review: participants reviewed progress against the 2020–2030 Roadmap to support implementation of the MRA on Accountancy Services.
- Sustainability reporting task force: the Task Force on Sustainability Reporting (led by Singapore) proposed a non‑binding “Manifesto of Support” as an alternative to a formal MOU; the draft manifesto is under review for further discussion at the September 2026 meeting.
- Inter‑committee reporting: outcomes from ACPACC and related professional committees were reported to the Business Services Sectoral Working Group (BSSWG) chair and relevant sectoral coordinating bodies.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
Registered ASEAN CPA counts and MRA implementation status provide an operational signal for firms delivering cross‑border accountancy services in ASEAN. Companies and professional practices that rely on credential recognition should monitor ACPACC reports and Roadmap milestones to track changes in registration, mobility arrangements, and any non‑binding instruments affecting professional cooperation.
Official Source
Primary source: Accounting and Auditing Regulator (ACAR) announcement, 15–16 June 2026. Original post: ACAR Facebook post.
