The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is to offer its specialised credentials overseas, potentially in association with UK accountancy bodies including ICAEW and CIMA.

At a recent board meeting, nearly 75% of AICPA council members agreed the institute should provide qualifications internationally to members of accounting organisations outside the US. These will include the institute's specialised credentials in business valuation, financial planning, forensics, and technology assurance.

Senior vice president and COO Anthony Pugliese said the aim was 'to work with organisations with similar ethics and professional requirements as we do,' who would become international associate members of the AICPA. He cited ICAEW, CIMA and CPA Canada as the sorts of groups that would qualify.

Pugliese said the move was prompted by both the growing importance of specialty credentials to the profession, and the opportunities - and competition - developing abroad.

'Competitors, including those based in the US, are going international. However, other organisations have not been as successful as we have been in developing credentials. The CPA brand is well-positioned to expand credentials internationally. We've proved that with the CGMA credential, and with the success of offering the CPA Exam internationally,' Pugliese said.

AICPA is likely to start its move abroad with pilot programs involving CPA Canada and CIMA. CPA Canada, which has recently completed a merger bringing their total number of members to 133,000, has already said it wants to outsource its IT and forensics credentials.