Key takeaways
- ACCA's free Find an ACCA member directory searches individual members by last name, with optional first name and city or town.
- New entries and updates to the ACCA member directory can take up to 24 hours to appear.
- ACCA's separate Find an ACCA accountancy firm directory lists every firm with at least one ACCA principal, but the firm may be regulated by another body.
- An ACCA member needs an ACCA practising certificate to offer general accountancy services such as preparing accounts and tax advice.
- To confirm an auditor, ACCA points you to the Register of Statutory Auditors, which listed 3,114 firms and 9,006 statutory auditors on 4 November 2026.
- For formal confirmation, ACCA's verification request form only confirms that a person is active and in good standing, and the person must sign their consent.
- Complaints about an ACCA member go first to the member, then to ACCA at complaintassessment@accaglobal.com.
To check an ACCA accountant, search ACCA’s free Find an ACCA member directory by last name, then check their firm in the separate firm directory. The firm listing shows which certificates the firm holds, which tells you whether ACCA regulates it. Then check ACCA’s published disciplinary decisions.
What is the ACCA member search?
The ACCA member search is ACCA’s free online directory, called Find an ACCA member. It lets anyone search for an individual member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants by name.
You must enter a last name. First name and city or town are optional. ACCA says new entries and updates can take up to 24 hours to appear, so a newly admitted member may not show at once.
The letters ACCA after a name show a member; FCCA shows a fellow. Both should appear in the directory.
How to check an ACCA accountant
- Get their full name, firm name and town. A membership number helps if you need formal confirmation later.
- Search Find an ACCA member. Enter the last name, then narrow by first name and town.
- Search Find an ACCA accountancy firm. Choose the country, then enter the town, postcode or firm name.
- Read the “Certificates held” field. This shows whether ACCA regulates the firm for audit or investment business.
- Check any audit claim. Search the Register of Statutory Auditors.
- Check disciplinary decisions. Use ACCA’s disciplinary and regulatory hearings pages.
- Ask ACCA if anything does not match. Email authorisation@accaglobal.com about a firm’s regulation.
What does the firm directory show?
The firm directory lists every firm with at least one ACCA member as a principal. It only names the ACCA principals, not partners or directors from other bodies.
ACCA warns that a listed firm may be regulated by another accountancy body. So a listing alone does not prove ACCA regulates the firm. Check the certificates held, and email authorisation@accaglobal.com if the firm is not shown as ACCA-regulated.
What do the ACCA certificates mean?
ACCA’s certificates explained page defines each status you may see.
| Certificate or status | Applies to | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Practising certificate | Member | Licence to offer general accountancy services |
| Statutory auditor status | Member | Approved to carry out company audits |
| Registered as auditors | Firm | Approved for statutory audits in the UK or Ireland |
| Regulated for investment business | Firm | Limited exempt regulated activities without direct FCA authorisation |
| Regulated for credit-related activities | Firm | Limited consumer credit activities without direct FCA authorisation |
| Wholly composed of Chartered Certified Accountants | Firm | All partners or directors are ACCA members |
ACCA says members who want to provide general accountancy services, such as preparing accounts and tax advice, must hold an ACCA practising certificate. An ACCA member employed in industry will not usually hold one. That is normal.
For how practising certificates compare across bodies, see practice licence requirements for ICAEW, ACCA and AAT.
How to check an auditor
The ACCA member directory is not the place to confirm audit status. ACCA itself says statutory auditor status can be found on the UK Register of Statutory Auditors.
The Register of Statutory Auditors covers firms and individuals from all four recognised supervisory bodies: ICAEW, ICAS, ACCA and Chartered Accountants Ireland. When updated on 4 November 2026 it listed 3,114 firms and 9,006 statutory auditors.
How to check ACCA disciplinary decisions
ACCA publishes decisions on its disciplinary and regulatory hearings pages. There are separate pages for the Disciplinary, Appeal, Admissions and Licensing, Interim Order, Consent Orders and Health Committees, and for Regulatory Assessor decisions.
ACCA publishes three types of material: a summary of forthcoming hearings, a summary of concluded hearings, and the committee’s reasons. Decisions are listed by year, so search the page for the person’s name. ACCA says some information is not published.
How to get formal confirmation of ACCA status
ACCA’s verification request form gives formal written confirmation, mainly for employers and screening firms. ACCA will only confirm that the person is active and in good standing.
The ACCA member must sign the form and tick a consent box. Each form is single use. Members can also download a letter of good standing from their own myACCA account, which is often quicker. ACCA Connect is on 0141 582 2000.
What if someone is not listed?
If a person says they are ACCA qualified but you cannot find them, ask for their membership number and the exact name ACCA holds. Allow 24 hours for recent changes. If they still do not appear, contact ACCA before you rely on them.
“Accountant” on its own is not a protected title in the UK. See do you need a licence to be an accountant. For other bodies, use the ICAEW member search or the AAT member search.
How to complain about an ACCA member
Complain to the member first, using their firm’s complaints process. If that does not resolve it, send ACCA’s complaint form with your evidence to complaintassessment@accaglobal.com, using a separate form for each member.
ACCA may refer suitable cases to its Conciliation Service. Complaints about insolvency practitioners go to the Insolvency Complaints Gateway on 0300 678 0015. If your accountant has made an error, see what to do if your accountant made a mistake.
What advisers should do
- Check new hires and subcontractors in both ACCA directories before they work on client files.
- Keep a dated screenshot of each directory entry in your onboarding file.
- Check your own firm listing shows the right certificates.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ACCA member search free?
Yes. Both the Find an ACCA member and Find an ACCA accountancy firm directories are free to use online.
Why can I not find an ACCA member?
You must enter a last name, and recent changes can take up to 24 hours to appear. If they still do not show, ask for their membership number and contact ACCA.
Does every firm in ACCA’s directory have ACCA regulation?
No. A firm appears if at least one principal is an ACCA member, but it may be regulated by another body. Check the certificates held.
Does an ACCA accountant need a practising certificate?
Yes, if they provide general accountancy services to the public, such as preparing accounts or giving tax advice. Members employed in business usually do not need one.
How do I check if an ACCA accountant can do an audit?
Search the Register of Statutory Auditors. ACCA’s member directory does not confirm statutory auditor status.
Sources
Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.