The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants gave honorary memberships to two distinguished members of the accounting profession—former International Federation of Accountants CEO Ian Ball and Harvard Business School professor Bob Eccles—at a special event in London.
They received the honours at a Joint ACCA Council and International Assembly Dinner at the Royal Society of Arts in London.
“Both have made significant contributions to the development of the profession around the world,” said ACCA president Martin Turner. “They have progressed and promoted the profession, while also forging ahead with new thinking on accountancy and business.”
Ball was bestowed the honor in recognition of his contributions to the development of the global profession and for championing the cause of improving financial management in the public sector, Turner noted.
“Ian Ball has just retired as CEO of IFAC, after a decade at the helm of this esteemed global organisation with which ACCA has an excellent working relationship,” said Turner. “Ian’s record of achievement is well known and in making this award, ACCA is highlighting the important work you have done in developing the global profession. We are impressed, that even after retirement, you continue as a principal adviser— in a voluntary capacity—representing IFAC as a member of the board and as chair of the working group of the International Integrated Reporting Council.”
Receiving his award, Ball said, “Thank you for this amazing honor. Knowing how hard people work to achieve membership makes this award very important to me, as does the fact that it comes from an organization, ACCA, with such a great reputation as one of the leading global accounting institutions. The way in which ACCA manages to pursue its objectives and be successful, while maintaining an active commitment to the public interest, has enhanced your reputation around the world.”
Eccles was presented with honorary membership of ACCA for his contribution to developing the thinking behind integrated reporting.
In making the presentation to Eccles, Turner commended his influential thinking in the fields of sustainability, integrated reporting and corporate reporting. He said, “Your work as chair of the U.S. Sustainability Accounting Standards Board has gone a long way to convey the message that sustainability disclosures need to be better. Your academic work, and your publications such as “One Report: Integrated Reporting for a Sustainable Strategy” have made real impact and result in real change.”
In receiving his award Eccles said, “I am delighted to get this award from the one truly global professional accountancy body in the world. ACCA is a remarkable organisation, as it is truly global it has a great respect from the accountancy profession. ACCA has been actively involved in corporate social responsibility issues since 1990. I think that's leadership.”
ACCA’s Council took the decision in 1999 to award honorary memberships to truly exceptional individuals who have played a pivotal role in the international development of the accounting profession.
