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Diploma in International Financial Reporting
The global accounting credential for experienced professionals
US CPAs and other professionals are increasingly affected by global trends in accounting and financial reporting. In particular, the widespread acceptance and adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) outside of the United States have begun to influence accounting and financial reporting within the United States.
If your understanding of accounting is based solely on US GAAP, you are at risk of becoming irrelevant to US employers and clients who participate in the global economy. But simply learning IFRS won't necessarily help you in your career. You'll also need to be able to prove that you have the practical knowledge and skills that employers and clients seek. And that's exactly what the Diploma in International Financial Reporting program is designed to help you do.
The Diploma is an ideal complement to your CPA or other accounting designation. In fact, you must already possess a professional accounting credential (such as a CPA license) or have substantial accounting experience in order to be eligible for the Diploma program. That's because the Diploma is designed to enhance, not replace, the existing credentials of experienced professionals.
To earn your Diploma in International Financial Reporting, you must pass a three-hour proctored examination that will test your IFRS knowledge and skills. Nearly all Diploma candidates undertake a structured program of study to prepare for the exam, and you should plan to do so as well. Experienced accountants who study 2-3 hours each week can prepare for the exam in less than six months. Additionally, some study programs provide you with the opportunity to earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit for completing them.
The Diploma is granted to qualified individuals by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), a global organization of over 130,000 credentialed accounting professionals. ACCA operates through a network of 80 offices and centers around the world, including its US office in New York.
Next Steps: The best way to learn more about earning your Diploma is to attend one of ACCA's free, hour-long orientation webcasts. Each webcast includes a live question-and-answer session to ensure that you get all the information you need. As an added benefit, CPE credit is awarded to webcast participants in accordance with the standards of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).
Alternatively, you can visit ACCA's online Resource Center for the Diploma in International Financial Reporting. There you'll find detailed information about the examination, study programs, and more.
"US accounting and finance professionals will need to have globally relevant technical skills in order to compete successfully for career opportunities in the near future. The Diploma in International Financial Reporting program is a highly effective way for experienced professionals to prove that they have the necessary skills." -- Financial reporting expert and Diploma holder Bruce Pounder