The 109th ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Trade in Services (CCS) Meeting was held from February 11 to 15, 2025, in Penang, Malaysia. Dr. Janet Maneenak, Executive Director, and Ms. Napat Liamsomboon, Foreign Service Officer, participated as representatives of the Federation of Accounting Professions (TFAC). They were joined by representatives from government bodies and professional accounting organizations from 9 other ASEAN member countries. Additionally, Ms. Runee Palakajorsak, Academic Specialist, participated virtually.
During this meeting, the ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountant Coordinating Committee (ACPACC) Meeting was held on February 12, 2025, to discuss facilitating the mobility of professional accountants within the region under the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Accountancy Services (MRA). Topics included reviewing regulations and conditions related to the practice of accountancy, as well as developing guidelines for Registering Foreign Professional Accountants (RFPA). The meeting also addressed requirements for working in destination countries. Currently, the total number of applicants for ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountants (ASEAN CPA) across all 10 countries is 7,879.
Furthermore, the meeting discussed the RFPA registration approach in member countries and reviewed the differences in interpreting MRA requirements, aiming to enhance flexibility for accountants' mobility. Activities promoting the mobility of accountants from different member states were also discussed, and a review of non-regulated and regulated accounting services in each country.
On February 13, 2025, the Business Services Sectoral Working Group (BSSWG) Meeting was held, covering 4 service sectors: Engineering, Architecture, Accounting, and Surveying. Regarding accounting services, the conclusions from the ACPACC meeting were presented, with all 10 countries agreeing not to modify the RFPA fee structure and allowing each member country the freedom to set its own fee rates. Additionally, there was further discussion on the necessity of reviewing the MRA for accounting to incorporate new technologies such as artificial intelligence and sustainability reporting, which would promote the development of accounting services within the ASEAN region.
