ACCA celebrates 100,000 members in its centenary year
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Amy Lam |
The largest and fastest growing international professional accountancy body ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) has just awarded its 100,000th membership during its centenary year.
The 100,000th ACCA member is Amy Lam, who is a Financial Management Accountant with international banking company ABN AMRO in its offices in the City of London.
Amy learned she had passed her final exams in February this year, and having already gained three year's practical experience, immediately applied for ACCA membership. " I am so proud that I am now part of ACCA," says Amy, who has had ambitions to become an accountant from the age of thirteen. After obtaining a degree in accounting and finance she chose to study with ACCA, and started her career with Seagram Distillers, before moving to ABN AMRO.
"The ACCA qualification seemed much broader," said Amy, "and because ACCA is well known, I am able to keep my options open if I ever want to work in other countries."
ABN AMRO holds ACCA gold approved employer accreditation in recognition of the training and development opportunities it offers to its finance staff. The bank has operations in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe.
Amy's current role enables her to develop her skills as an analyst. By providing managers with useful information, she is able to engage with broader business issues. In future, Amy hopes to gain more managerial responsibility with the bank.
"I have already had some experience in people management, but I would like to become involved in reviewing, appraising and recruiting. This, combined the knowledge I have learned by studying for the ACCA qualification, should enable me to develop as an all-round manager," said Amy.
Allen Blewitt, ACCA's Chief Executive, said: "We are delighted to welcome Amy as our 100,000th member. She is an excellent example of ACCA members who are succeeding in all business sectors and in all regions of the world. Given her dedication to ACCA and her career with ABN AMRO, I am sure she will prove to be an excellent ambassador for us in the years ahead."
ACCA, which has 320,000 students and members in 160 countries, is celebrating its centenary year in 2004 with a range of events under the theme of responsibility. Many high-profile conferences are being held, involving leading speakers discussing issues facing the accounting profession and the business world.
Allen Blewitt will meet with Amy to welcome her to ACCA and to talk to her about the opportunities for her career.