European Accountants Federation
The European Accountants Federation (EAF) is an international professional association of the accountancy bodies of Europe. Formed in 1997 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the Federation is registered under Belgian law and is a membership organization.
EAF’s mission is to enhance the status and influence of the accountancy profession across Europe, to influence the development of the European economy, and to work with the European Union and other organizations to ensure that they recognize and respond to the specific needs of the business community in the EU. The Federation acts as a forum for the exchange of ideas and the organization of activities, provides advice and information on professional and technical matters, promotes areas of common interest and helps to disseminate best practice.
EAF has a broad range of members, representing national accountancy bodies including their professional institutes, societies or organizations in 46 countries across Europe. Additionally, the Federation has established close ties with non-EU countries whose accounting profession have strong European links and mutual cooperation agreements.
The objectives of the European Federation are achieved through dialogue and active participation in many of the workings of the EU as well as through a direct form of lobbying. The Federation works with European Governments, the European Parliament and the EU Commission. They also represent their members’ qualities and influence at numerous international forums, and their Council of Members meets regularly to discuss topics of specific interest.
The main aims of the EAF are to promote the European accountancy profession, foster the development of professional standards and promote cooperation between accountancy bodies in the European region. The Federation also works with European institutions and endeavours to influence the development of regulations relating to the accountancy profession.
EAF provides impartial advice to members on matters of particular interest such as intellectual property rights, European company law, and taxation. They also collaborate in the production of European Reports, present information sessions and hold conferences.
The Federation also takes an active part in formulating public policy, expounding their views on European and regulatory matters through comment letters and reports published on their website and other media. In addition, the EAF regularly participates in expert groups and seminars, provides advice to its members on topics related to their operations and activities, and monitors the implementation of the professional standards set out in the European Chartered Accountant (ECap) Regulation.
The Federation works towards the recognition of its members by other European accountancy organizations and standard-setting bodies, and contributes to the mutual recognition of practitioners across the European Economic Area (EEA). Additionally, EAF endeavours to ensure that other bodies recognize public documents issued by their members, as well as the qualifications and professional competence of European chartered accountants.
The work of the EAF also features educational activities with the aim of facilitating knowledge sharing among members and non-members, as well as to provide continuing professional education. The Federation also helps to promote the profession by disseminating information on the European accountancy profession and the positive contributions made by European practitioners.
In addition to its core objectives, the EAF also provides an international platform for the construction of relationships and exchange of knowledge. Through its activities and initiatives, the Federation continues to play a central role in the development of sound professional and ethical values in the accountancy profession.
