The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, which includes the American Institute of CPAs and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, is indefinitely suspending services in Russia and Belarus in response to the war in Ukraine.
The suspension includes membership activities, exams, certificates and other professional qualifications. The suspension comes after all four of the Big Four accounting firms — PwC, Deloitte, EY and KPMG — announced over the weekend that they were exiting Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine (see story). The invasion has led to a mass exodus of multinational companies ending operations amid the continued bombardment of Ukraine, which has led to upwards of 2.3 million refugees, according to the United Nations, and uncertain estimates of mass casualties.
“We wholeheartedly stand with the people of Ukraine and join many voices around the world in calling for peace,” said the AICPA and CIMA in a statement Wednesday. “Our thoughts are with members, students and staff devastated by the Russian military invasion. We are suspending indefinitely the sale and delivery of services to Russia and Belarus, including the provision of in-market membership activities for AICPA and CIMA members and the following CIMA examinations: Professional Qualification; Certificate in Performance Management in Russian; Advanced Diploma in Performance Management in Russian; and Certificate in Business Accounting.”
Jonathan Alpeyrie/Bloomberg
The organizations acknowledged the suspension would affect many AICPA and CIMA members and students who are caught up in the crisis. “To assist, we’re sharing information to help members, students and customers,” the statement continued. “We are also supporting our staff through these very difficult times. And, as a professional accounting and finance association, we are and will continue to provide tools and resources to help professionals outside of Russia and Belarus manage the widespread impact this crisis will have on all economies, businesses, and societies around the world. We remain deeply saddened by what is happening in Ukraine — especially the loss of life and livelihoods — and we fully support a swift and peaceful resolution. We will share updates as the situation continues to evolve.”