Six global chartered institutes have set up a talking shop to support, develop and promote the role of chartered accountants.

The new group, Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW), includes institutes in Australia, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa, and has been set up to encourage people to consider chartered accountancy when training and hiring.

Institutes around the world are keen to build their international membership, to bolster fee income, and encourage more take-up of their exams and training curriculum.

CAW aims to promote the highest standards of professional and ethical practice, create greater opportunities for those seeking to become or develop as chartered accountants and share expertise and new ideas.

Member organisations include ICAEW, ICAS, Chartered Accountants Ireland, Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia, New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants and and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

As a first step, CAW has set up a fledgling website and produced a new publication, No ordinary business minds.

Michael Izza, ICAEW chief executive, said: 'In a world where there are many different types of accountants and qualifications, demonstrating the value that chartered accountants deliver and the highest ethical and quality standards to which they operate is becoming increasingly important.

'Investing in the training and development of the next generation of business leaders has to be a priority for our profession today which is why we need to make more of the opportunities a career in chartered accountancy offers.'

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