Acknowledging that many members already take comprehensive learning and development schemes supported by their employers, ACCA will exempt those working for companies with approved CPD programmes. Members in approved employer's schemes, recently launched in Hong Kong, will automatically meet the requirements.

About 80 Hong Kong companies and organisations have been approved so far and most leading accountancy firms have achieved the status or are expected to comply soon. Four levels of accreditation can be achieved, from registered and approved to gold approved and platinum approved.

Accredited companies can access ACCA resources designed to enhance the effectiveness of their training programmes. Free seminars keep accredited employers up-to-date with training practices and a website allows them to post free job advertisements and browse for likely candidates. Globally, more than 6,500 employers are accredited.