As a daughter of a headmaster and a teacher, Helen Brand knows a thing or two about the virtues of discipline and delivering on one's words in the most honourable way. After becoming CEO of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in September 2008, Brand felt it was her turn to share these values with the global accountancy body's almost 150,000 members and half-a-million students in over 170 countries. Under Brand's direction, the 107-year-old association offers qualifications to people who seek a career in accountancy, finance and management. She has focused on helping develop the accountancy profession in emerging economies, and one of her achievements has been in expanding ACCA's presence in China, where it now has more than 22,000 members and 41,000 students. Brand advises the US-based International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and is also a member of the Prince of Wales' Accounting for Sustainability Supervisory Board. The following are excerpts from an e-mail exchange between her and Rex Aguado
What does your role in ACCA entail?
My role is to provide the strategic oversight and direction of this global organisation, working with our council of elected members. ACCA's strategy is based on a vision that by 2015, employers in all sectors will recognise ACCA as the leading global professional accountancy body in reputation, influence and size. I have to ensure that this happens.
How would you assess ACCA's role in this highly connected world?
Our focus is on professional values, ethics and governance. We use our expertise and experience to work with governments, regulators, professional bodies and employers to develop the global accountancy profession and to deliver public value. I see our role in three ways - partnerships, professional qualifications and delivering public value.
What has the accountancy profession learned from the global financial crisis?