Bermudians holding the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants designation can now be recognised professionally in Bermuda, in a field where only members of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Bermuda had been previously accorded recognition.

Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, said yesterday that the legislative amendments behind the change, which came into effect on October 21, would “open doors” for Bermudians.

Local students can obtain the ACCA designation at the Bermuda College, and will not have to travel overseas to qualify as CPAs to practise professionally on the island.

Mr Rabain added: “As a profession that is heavily reliant on non-Bermudian accountants, it was critical to the Government to ensure avenues are open to Bermudians who wish to join the accounting profession.

“It is this government’s goal to see the partnership between the ACCA and the Bermuda College flourish, and enable Bermudians to obtain professional accounting designation without needing to leave their island home.”

• To read a ministerial statement on the issue delivered by Diallo Rabain in the House of Assembly, click on the PDF under “Related Media”