IFAC opens doors to accounting profession with new principles

The International Federation of Accountants has released a set of principles with the goal of widening access to the accounting profession.

Opening Doors: Six Principles of Best Practice to Increase Access to Accountancy Qualifications comes with the support of the Global Public Policy Committee, a group of leaders of the six largest accounting firm networks (BDO, Deloitte, EY, Grant Thornton, KPMG and PwC).

The principles offer a practical framework for IFAC's members and other professional accounting organizations to welcome talent from diverse backgrounds, remove unnecessary barriers, and adapt qualification pathways—while maintaining the high standards that underpin public trust.

"The accountancy profession is enriched through talent drawn from the widest breadth possible," said IFAC CEO Lee White in a statement Monday. "I am excited by the opportunity Opening Doors creates to engage future talent in new ways and respond to the evolving workplace. Our members uphold the highest standards of integrity and quality, and together we are building a broader-based, innovative and connected profession—one that is forward-looking and equipped to sustain public trust."

The six principles focus on:

• Encouraging entry from diverse educational backgrounds;
• Recognizing and valuing prior work experience;
• Removing unnecessary barriers to access;
• Offering flexible qualification formats and delivery;
• Enabling career step-off points; and,
• Driving global reciprocity and mobility.

Some IFAC members have already included these principles as part of their operating models, showing how the principles can widen access to the profession in practice. For others, Opening Doors may represent a fresh approach — a chance to reimagine pathways into accountancy and bolster engagement with future talent.

The principles are flexible enough to adapt to local contexts and regulatory environments and reflect emerging best practices from across the globe. By adopting them, professional accounting organizations can create more inclusive pathways into the profession so it can stay ready for the future, connected, and committed to delivering value to society, the economy and the market.

Opening Doors is also the first in a series of new IFAC initiatives to help the profession stay competitive and reset how it attracts future talent. A panel discussion at an upcoming IFAC conference in November in Mexico City will highlight the principles for IFAC members.