About ACCA Public Affairs Europe

ACCA has over 60,000 members and students across the EU and Europe region. Our Europe public affairs engagement is led by our Brussels-based team working closely with our Europe market teams based in the Czech Republic, Ireland, Poland, Romania and Ukraine.

This collaborative team approach to public affairs ensures that our members and communities are served both at the centre and local levels for a ‘One Europe’ solution.

Our public affairs engagement

We work with national and EU policymakers to monitor and influence policies affecting our members and the profession. This includes submitting position papers, sharing professional insights and expertise, participating in events and expert group meetings, and actively contributing as members of Accountancy Europe, the European Federation of Accountants and Auditors, and SMEUnited.

    Shaping Policy: key developments driving ACCA Engagement 
     

  • EFRAG’s revised VSME/LSME standards

    EFRAG is revising its standards for SMEs (VSME/LSME), aiming to simplify and streamline them based on stakeholder feedback. ACCA actively contributed, participating in a key workshop in September with SMEunited and EFRAG. The revised VSME draft is set to be finalised in October, adopted in November, and submitted to the European Commission by 20th December 2024. Both VSME and LSME standards will open for public consultation, with final versions expected in early 2025. 

    These changes present a valuable opportunity for ACCA to support SMEs in navigating the new standards and offering guidance on compliance and reporting. 

  • ACCA-EAA event 'European Sustainability Education: Supporting Market-Ready Graduates'

    On 20 September, ACCA and the European Accounting Association (EAA) co-hosted a panel with finance and accounting academics from European universities alongside ACCA experts to discuss effective approaches to teaching sustainability. Almost 450 participants joined the event which focused on challenges, best practices, and preparing students for the job market. Watch the event recording.

    In response to poll questions, delegates expressed strong interest in a follow-up event that would bring together universities, employers, and EU policymakers to address relevant challenges including education and skills gaps, talent shortages, recognition of qualifications and how new EU policies could support. Such an event would provide further opportunities for relationships with key stakeholders and visibility for ACCA’s learning solutions.

  • EC Targeted Consultation: AI in the Financial Sector – ACCA’s Response and Insights

    On 13 September, the European Commission's targeted consultation on AI in the financial sector closed, with ACCA submitting its response and releasing a press statement. ACCA highlighted three key AI benefits for businesses: tailored solutions, cost-effective investment, and improved accessibility. Our new report, ‘The Smart Alliance: The Meeting of Accounting Expertise with Machine Intelligence’, offers a comprehensive overview of AI adoption in accounting. A press release was shared through our media partner Euractiv and on ACCA Europe’s LinkedIn. We shared our Smart Alliance report with the European Commission’s Digital Finance unit to reinforce our position in the consultation. 

  • SMEunited meets MEP Alessandra Moretti at the European Parliament

    On 1 October, we joined a delegation of SMEUnited members to meet new Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Specifically, ACCA was part of the group meeting with MEP Alessandra Moretti (S&D, Italy). Other SMEUnited members met MEP Pietro Fiocchi (ECR, Italy). The discussions focused on raising awareness of the sustainability priorities of SMEUnited’s members including ACCA. 

    The meeting was a valuable opportunity to strengthen ACCA's voice on sustainability in the SME sector, aligning with our mission to support members and their SME clients to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape. We will continue to deepen our engagement with MEPs in the coming months. Activities at the European Parliament will intensify early 2025 when the new European Commission will publish its first annual Work Programme. 

  • Navigating the CSDDD: Brussels conference with MEP Alex Voss

    On 1 October, we joined a delegation of SMEUnited members to meet new Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Specifically, ACCA was part of the group meeting with MEP Alessandra Moretti (S&D, Italy). Other SMEUnited members met MEP Pietro Fiocchi (ECR, Italy). The discussions focused on raising awareness of the sustainability priorities of SMEUnited’s members including ACCA. 

    The meeting was a valuable opportunity to strengthen ACCA's voice on sustainability in the SME sector, aligning with our mission to support members and their SME clients to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape. We will continue to deepen our engagement with MEPs in the coming months. Activities at the European Parliament will intensify early 2025 when the new European Commission will publish its first annual Work Programme. 

Upcoming events and opportunities 
 

  • 8th October
    Accountancy Europe webinar: 'Unpacking CSRD transposition across Europe'

    In this webinar, ACE will share insights into the CSRD transposition across the EU. Register and share with your member network. 

  • 24th October
    ACCA Virtual Careers Fair Europe

    ACCAs award-winning VCF Europe is taking place on 24 October. For the first time a senior EU policymaker will deliver a keynote speech in the auditorium, Mario Nava, Director-General for the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), European Commission. This is a unique opportunity to link our careers fair with the EU policies on talent shortages, skills and job market in the EU.

  • 13 November
    ACCA event: AMLA and the new EU AML Rules: Practicalities, Challenges & Opportunities for Finance Professionals

    The European Commission’s Raluca Pruna, head of financial crime, Olivier Salles, head of the new EU AML Authority Task Force and AML experts from PwC, Deutsche Bank and KBC Bank will discuss the new EU AML framework, implications, practicalities, and opportunities. ACCA’s Aidan Clifford is moderating. Encourage our members and your network to join!

  • 15 November
    European Commission seminar: Supporting companies in applying the ESRS

    join the European Commission and experts for various sectors to discuss challenges, opportunities, and practical strategies for implementing the European Sustainability Reporting Standards, including digital reporting tools and audit issues. The Brussels team has registered to attend in person, with an option for online participation. Register by 8th November and share with your network.

Call to action

SMEUnited call for input on reducing regulatory burden for SMEs: The reduction of administrative and regulatory reporting burdens is one of the priorities of the new European Commission. SMEunited is looking for concrete examples, practical alternatives and any existing best practices at national level. If you have specific suggestions please share them as soon as possible with Liliana.

Contact us

fiona

Fiona Murray 
​Head of EU Public Affairs
fiona.murray1@accaglobal.com 

liliana

Liliana Mateus Caraça 
EU Public Affairs Manager 
liliana.mateuscaraca@accaglobal.com  

ACCAdec-128

Aidan Clifford
Advisory Services and Public Affairs Manager, ACCA Ireland
aidan.clifford@accaglobal.com

ACCA, Clockwise, Avenue des Arts 44, BE-1000 Brussels 
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