THE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ) is in advanced talks with UK-based professional bodies to finalise a new mutual recognition agreement, a move set to expand international opportunities for Zimbabwean accountants.
The agreement, expected to be signed by April, will allow locally trained chartered accountants easier access to global markets, enhancing the international portability of Zimbabwean qualifications.
The initiative forms part of ICAZ’s broader strategy to boost professional mobility, strengthen the competitiveness of the local accounting profession, and respond to rising demand for globally recognised credentials.
“We are engaging one of the parties in the UK, who we believe is a strategic partner, so that we can conclude another mutual recognition agreement before the end of this presidential term,” ICAZ president Emmanuel Mudefi told NewsDay Business.
Negotiations with several international partners are now at advanced stages.
“The draft agreement has been reviewed, and all that’s left is for the parties now to make a completely relevant and necessary legal formality for them to put a signature on the agreement,” Mudefi said.
ICAZ is also addressing member feedback and operational challenges, with solutions expected to be announced within February.
“We have identified some of the challenges that are affecting them, and we are already responding to those challenges so that we safeguard the key priority of integrity and public trust,” Mudefi said.
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“What we believe is that once we announce some of those solutions to our members, it will go a long way in terms of providing support…so that their work is very efficient and effective.”
In parallel, the institute is rolling out a digital transformation programme aimed at modernising service delivery and improving efficiency across its operations.
“ICAZ has acquired or developed several systems that are meant to respond to the digital needs of our students and also the digital needs of our members, employees, and other key stakeholders,” Mudefi said.
