To become a Registered Auditor, an accountant must hold a practising certificate from a recognised body, demonstrate the necessary professional ability in that area, and submit to regular inspection.
A similar but not identical list of Recognised Supervisory Bodies (RSBs) may authorise their members to carry out company audits.
RQBs and RSBs are self-regulated but monitored by the Professional Oversight Board (POB), part of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), to support public confidence.
For example, in Hong Kong, members of RQBs excluding CIPFA are accredited by HKICPA and therefore licensed under the Professional Accountants Ordinance with 'absolute equal status' to local CPAs.
In the UK, there is no licence requirement for individuals to describe themselves or practise as an accountant (except for audit or insolvency work).
Most bodies offer Fellowship after five or ten years' further experience in good standing as an Associate member.
Before engaging in practice (i.e. selling services to the public rather than acting as an employee), an accountant belonging to any of these bodies must gain a 'practising certificate' by meeting further requirements such as purchasing adequate insurance and undergoing inspections.
AAT also offer higher level qualifications which enable the holder to gain "licensed accountant" status, of which there are 5,100 (2021).
AAT members can claim a range of exemptions from ACCA, ICAEW, ICAS, CIPFA and CIMA examinations and vice versa.
IFA offers Financial Accounting Technician (AFT) The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), founded in the UK in 1996, claims over 150,000 students and members worldwide.
The six British and Irish professional accountancy bodies with a royal charter were the founder members of the CCAB.