EU Accountants Face Patchwork of National Rules, Hindering Single Market Mobility

Brussels – A leading global accounting body is pressing the European Commission to tackle a longstanding hurdle within the single market: the complex web of national rules that prevents qualified accountants from practising freely across borders.

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has formally urged the EC to use its Skills Portability Initiative (SPI) to streamline the recognition of professional accounting qualifications. The SPI, a cornerstone of the EU's "Union of Skills" strategy, aims to boost labour mobility, address critical talent shortages, and enhance the bloc's overall economic competitiveness by making skills and credentials more transferable.

However, the ACCA contends that divergent national regulations for the accountancy profession are creating a significant drag on these ambitions. "The current patchwork of requirements frequently acts as a brake on cross-border careers," the organisation stated. While the EU guarantees the free movement of workers, accountants seeking to practise in another member state must still navigate distinct local rules and demonstrate an understanding of domestic standards to serve the public interest—a process the ACCA describes as a deterrent.

The call for harmonisation comes at a critical time. The EU is rolling out sweeping new regulations, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (part of the Omnibus Directive Package) and the AI Act, which place accountants at the forefront of guiding businesses through compliance. "The profession is pivotal for delivering on the EU's climate and digital transitions," the ACCA noted, emphasising that unlocking a larger, more mobile pool of accounting talent is essential for this support.

Katrina Smyth, Head of Educational Recognition at ACCA, underscored the urgency: "The Commission's drive for greater harmonisation is timely. We face a pipeline of qualified professionals that is simply inadequate to meet demand. A qualification earned in one EU country should be valid throughout the single market, enabling skills to flow where they are needed most."

The ACCA's push highlights a broader tension between national professional sovereignty and the ideal of a seamless EU labour market, a debate that will likely intensify as the bloc seeks to fortify its skills base against global competition.

Reactions & Analysis

Lars van der Berg, Economic Policy Analyst (Brussels): "This is a pragmatic request. If we're serious about a single market, we cannot have 27 different gates for the same profession. The SPI's success hinges on tackling such sector-specific barriers."

Chiara Moretti, Partner at a Milan-based Audit Firm: "I experienced this firsthand when I considered a move to Frankfurt. The administrative burden was disproportionate to my actual expertise. Simplifying recognition would immediately inject talent into underserved regions."

Markus Scholz, Small Business Advocate (Berlin): "This is typical Brussels overreach! National rules exist for a reason—to protect our standards and clients. A one-size-fits-all accounting credential dilutes quality and undermines local oversight. It's a solution in search of a problem."

Elena Petrova, Finance Director, Multinational Corp (Sofia): "From a business perspective, this is a no-brainer. We operate across borders, but our finance teams cannot. It creates inefficiency and cost. Harmonising recognition is a key step for EU competitiveness."

This report is based on a submission by the ACCA to the European Commission. The original news item was first published by The Accountant.

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