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Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

ACCA

To advanced the global accounting and finance profession and ensure it contributes to sustainable economies by training strategic and ethically minded professionals

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Andrea Beltramello (Head of Unit Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union)

16 Oct 2025 · The Commission’s recently launched Financial Literacy Strategy

Meeting with Michalis Hadjipantela (Member of the European Parliament)

14 Oct 2025 · Meeting

Response to EU visa policy strategy

18 Sept 2025

ACCA welcomes the opportunity to respond to the European Commissions call for evidence on an EU Visa Policy Strategy. The accounting profession plays a critical role in supporting the EUs green and digital transitions. Accountants help businessesespecially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)to measure, report, and improve their sustainability performance and digital readiness. However, the profession is under increasing pressure due to globalised supply chains, the growing complexity of cross-border business and the expanding scope of corporate reporting requirements. A major challenge compounding these pressures is a significant and persistent talent shortage. There are simply not enough qualified accounting professionals to meet the demands of the twin transitions and to ensure compliance with key EU regulations, such as anti-money laundering rules. This shortage is recognised in the proposed EU Talent Pool Regulation, which lists accounting and auditing among the 42 EU-wide shortage occupations. The European Commissions own research highlights a declining number of statutory auditors, growing market concentration among audit firms, and the risks this poses to audit quality and regulatory compliance. A more flexible and liberalised EU visa policyparticularly for professionals and students in recognised shortage sectorswould help alleviate these challenges. Facilitating access to international talent, especially those with globally recognised qualifications, would strengthen the professions capacity and resilience, and support the EUs broader economic and regulatory goals. With global standards and mobility, the accounting and auditing profession stands to benefitif visa and recognition systems are streamlined and inclusive. ACCAs Global Talent Trends 2025 insights provide valuable perspectives on talent mobility, workplace evolutions and skills development, including a specific regional focus on Europe. This research, based on responses from over 10,000 finance professionals across 175 countries, shows that accountancy training remains a gateway for global careers. 56% of respondents expect to move internationally in their careers, and 17% suggest it will be their next move. Where there are identified skills shortages, an EU Visa Policy Strategy that enables internationally qualified professionals to move and work within the EU would directly support business growthparticularly among SMEs, which face even greater challenges in attracting talent. By facilitating access to global talent in these areas, a streamlined and coordinated EU Visa Policy Strategy would not only strengthen regulatory capacity and business resilience, but also contribute to the EUs broader competitiveness agenda. The job market for professional accountants and auditors is highly dynamic, with talent in high demand and professionals willing to move quickly to seize new career opportunities. However, the challenges outlined above not only affect individual mobility but also limit the ability of businesses (employers) to access the skilled professionals they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive and interconnected global economy. To strengthen the EUs competitiveness and address critical skills shortages in key professions such as accounting and auditing, we recommend targeted reforms to improve mobility, recognition, and access for qualified professionals and recent international graduates from outside the EU, including the UK. ACCA expresses its appreciation to the European Commission and reaffirms its commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at tackling labour shortages. Facilitating mobility and removing visa barriers are vital steps toward strengthening EU competitiveness, empowering SMEs, and accelerating progress on green and digital transitions. Please find attached to this submission our full letter, which outlines best practices from European countries along with our policy recommendations.
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Meeting with Sven Gentner (Head of Unit Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union)

14 May 2025 · CSRD Omnibus