Bangladesh’s two leading accounting bodies have joined forces to create a common platform for policy advocacy, professional development and research, aiming to strengthen accounting standards and improve financial governance.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) and the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) signed a Joint Collaboration Framework on Wednesday to work together on research and publications, continuing professional development, professional events, policy advocacy and international engagement.
The partnership is expected to give the accounting profession a stronger collective voice on national policy issues while improving knowledge-sharing and professional capacity among accountants.
The framework was signed at the ICAB Council Hall in Dhaka. A Joint Coordination Committee with equal representation from both institutes will oversee implementation and meet at least four times a year.
ICAB President Sabbir Ahmed said the two institutes need to “raise a unified voice” to influence national policy and strengthen the profession. ICMAB President Kausar Alam said the two bodies would “work together at the policy level” and act as “the voice of the nation” for the accounting profession.
The collaboration is part of ICAB’s reform strategy for 2025-30, which includes stronger cooperation with professional accountancy organisations. The agreement was signed by ICAB CEO Md Quamruzzaman and ICMAB Executive Director Md Mahbub-Ul-Alam.
ICAB Vice Presidents Asifur Rahman and Mohammad Redwanur Rahman, Council Member Md Moniruzzaman and senior officials from both institutes attended the signing ceremony. The two organisations said the partnership would help raise professional standards, strengthen governance and support Bangladesh’s economic development by improving coordination within the accounting profession.
