The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) and leading global accountancy body ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) have united to empower the accountancy profession to understand ethical issues in AI deployment. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity for ACCA’s quarter of a million members to pursue CISI’s Certificate in Ethical AI, a qualification designed by AI experts at ACCA. The certificate content will be accessible on ACCA Learning, a dedicated platform for finance professionals, further enhancing their professional AI skills.
CISI offers globally recognized qualifications to financial services professionals. It is committed to providing students with accessible and varied learning opportunities wherever they are, and however, they prefer to study. With more than 53,000 members worldwide, the institute is present in more than 100 nations. It provides qualifications and lifelong e-learning opportunities for those working or aspiring to work in the capital markets, financial planning, and wealth management professions.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the partnership with ACCA, CISI CEO Tracy Vegro OBE said:
We are delighted to confirm this partnership with ACCA, whose objectives align with our own in developing high ethical standards for global practitioners. Technology and trust must go hand in hand, and ethical frameworks are essential for AI development, supported by industry-wide skills and training. Responsible deployment of these technologies is central to the agenda.
The CISI launched its Certificate in Ethical Artificial Intelligence in November last year as part of its campaign to champion ethics and transparency in the use of AI. The Certificate was introduced as part of Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli’s ethical AI initiative with key input from the steering group for this project. Michael is a Chartered Honorary Fellow of the CISI and a Fellow of ACCA and BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT, which has developed a parallel qualification as part of his initiative, focusing on the technical aspects. Since its launch, more than 3,500 professionals, seven financial services regulators and four central banks across more than 50 countries have registered for the CISI Certificate in Ethical AI.
Helen Brand OBE, ACCA Chief Executive, commented:
AI brings huge opportunities to a wide range of financial and business areas, from planning and audit to compliance, data analytics, and sustainability. But it also brings risks such as poor transparency and bias. It’s vital that AI is adopted responsibly, and accountants, with their long-standing commitment to ethics, are central to driving this. So, we’re delighted to work with CISI to enhance skills in this area.
Established in 1904 with a mission of widening access to the accounting profession, ACCA has always advocated inclusivity. It serves a diverse membership base of over 252,500 active members and 526,000 future members in over 180 countries. Through collaboration with policymakers, standards-setters, the donor community, educational institutions, and other accounting associations, the profession is being reinforced and developed to promote a sustainable future for all.
