Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants

What Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants does

The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) is the sole statutory professional body for accountants in Hong Kong, established in 1973 under the Professional Accountants Ordinance (Cap. 50). It is the only organization authorized by law to register certified public accountants and grant practising certificates in the jurisdiction. Headquartered at 37/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong, with an additional office in Mainland China, the institute operates with 101-250 employees and functions as a non-profit membership organization.

HKICPA's core offerings include the Qualification Programme (QP) for aspiring CPAs, the newly launched Certified Anti-Money Laundering Professional (CAB) certificate, continuing professional development (CPD) courses, faculty publications, and Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards (HKFRS) including the sustainability disclosure standards (HKFRS S1 and S2) published in December 2024. The institute delivers computer-based examinations, mentorship programmes, community events (CPA Sports Carnival, Rich Kid Poor Kid), and a Digital Transformation Hub supporting small and medium accounting practices. It maintains reciprocal recognition agreements with major international accounting bodies including CICPA, BICPA, ISCA, CIMA, ACCA, AICPA, and the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA).

The business model is fee-based across multiple streams: membership subscriptions, QP enrolment and examination fees, CPD event and course fees, CAB certification, and publication income. Revenue is not publicly disclosed given non-profit status. Distribution runs through direct member engagement, partnerships with the Big Four and mid-tier firms, university outreach, and digital platforms. Recent leadership includes President Stephen Law, Acting Chief Executive Elaine Chung, and new Chief Executive & Registrar Arthur Lee, supported by a Strategic Plan 2026 emphasizing digital transformation and global engagement.

Name

Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Legal name

Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Website

https://hkicpa.org.hk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) is the statutory professional body established in 1973 under the Professional Accountants Ordinance to register and credential CPAs in Hong Kong, operating the Qualification Programme, CPD, HKFRS standards, and the new CAB certificate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Accountancy Body

NAICS

Offices of Certified Public Accountants (541211), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)

akta.pro primary industry

Accounting, Audit & Tax (CPA/CA/ACCA CPE) (EDAAALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

National/State Examination Boards & Testing Agencies (EDADAFAA), Healthcare Licensing, Accreditation & Credentialing Boards (HLAJACAC)

Keywords

• Professional accounting certification
• CPA qualification programme
• Continuing professional development
• Accounting standards setting
• Professional membership body

Headquarters

HQ city

Wan Chai

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees charged to CPAs and affiliates for membership registration, renewal, and associated benefits including access to professional resources, events, and member services.
2. Qualification Programme Fees: Fees for the Qualifying Programme (QP) including examination fees, registration fees, and related charges for students pursuing CPA certification.
3. Continuing Professional Development: Revenue from CPD programmes, e-learning courses, specialist training programmes, and workshop fees for ongoing professional education.
4. Certificate in Accounting and Business: Fees for CAB certificate programme and related educational offerings.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HKICPA is the only body in Hong Kong authorized by law to register and grant practising certificates to Certified Public Accountants. It administers the flagship Qualification Programme (QP) and the Certificate in Accounting and Business (CAB), grants CPA membership, runs continuing professional development (CPD) courses, sets technical and ethical standards, and issues publications and specialist training through dedicated faculties.

Product overview

The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) operates as a professional membership organization offering a comprehensive suite of products and services centered on its core Qualification Programme (QP) for aspiring CPAs, supported by the Certificate in Accounting and Business (CAB) as an entry pathway. The organization provides extensive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) offerings through multiple channels including e-learning, face-to-face events, and specialist training programmes. Professional specialization is supported through dedicated faculties (Taxation Faculty, Restructuring and Insolvency Faculty) and interest groups covering Corporate Finance, Financial Services, Forensics, ICT, and other sectors. Digital member services include the MyCPA portal with Digital Badges, the Find a CPA directory, and the HKICPA Events app. Thought leadership and community engagement products include A Plus magazine, the Best Corporate Governance and ESG Awards, the Digital Transformation Hub, and financial education initiatives like the Rich Kid Poor Kid programme. The organization maintains multiple digital platforms for career services, examination registration, and professional networking through the Career Insight Series and Mentorship Programme.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Qualification Programme (QP): The professional qualification programme for becoming a Hong Kong CPA
• A Plus
• Best Corporate Governance and ESG Awards
• Rich Kid, Poor Kid
• CPA Congress
• Certificate in Accounting and Business (CAB)
• Digital Transformation Hub
• HKICPA Career Portal (HKICPA Source)

Products and services

• Qualification Programme (QP) The flagship professional accounting qualification programme that prepares candidates for careers as Certified Public Accountants in Hong Kong, consisting of comprehensive modules, examinations, and practical experience requirements.
• Certificate in Accounting and Business (CAB) Entry-level qualification certificate designed to provide foundational knowledge in accounting and business for prospective CPA students.
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Comprehensive professional development programmes including e-learning courses, face-to-face events, live webinars, and specialist training programmes to help members maintain and enhance their professional competence.
• Specialist Training Programmes Specialized training programmes covering insolvency, taxation, and business valuation to develop expertise in specific professional practice areas.
• Taxation Faculty Faculty dedicated to promoting best practice in taxation, providing technical information, publications, and professional development for members specializing in tax matters.
• Restructuring and Insolvency Faculty (RIF) Faculty focused on insolvency and restructuring practice, offering specialist qualifications, designations, and training programmes for professionals in this sector.
• Mentorship Programme Programme connecting experienced CPAs with mentees to provide guidance and support for professional development and career advancement.
• MyCPA Portal Online member portal providing access to exclusive services including Digital Badges, event registration, membership management, and CPD tracking.
• Find a CPA Directory Public searchable directory enabling businesses and individuals to locate and verify certified public accountants in Hong Kong.
• HKICPA Career Portal (HKICPA Source) Online career platform connecting accounting professionals with job opportunities and employers in the Hong Kong market.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 accounting professionals participate in annual Sports Carnival events
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Hong Kong International Academy Against Corruption (HKIAAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026MoU signed to enhance ethical conduct in the accounting profession. Agreement aims to foster collaboration through institutional exchanges, reciprocal visits, and joint ethics initiatives including training activities and guest lectures. The partnership represents a proactive step to reinforce ethical standards and strengthen public confidence in Hong Kong's financial stability.
• Guangdong-HK-Macau Accounting Industry Strategic PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2024Strategic Agreement for Developing Guangdong-HK-Macau Accounting Industry signed to deepen cooperation among accounting industries within the Greater Bay Area and cultivate young high-end talent.
• Beijing Institute of Certified Public Accountants (BICPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2024Renewed MoU to strengthen exchanges between the accounting professions in Beijing and Hong Kong. Partnership facilitates professional collaboration and knowledge sharing between the two regions.
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2024Collaboration to create opportunities for accounting and finance professionals, opening pathways and creating diverse development opportunities for members of both bodies.
• Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 June 2024MoU signed during Council visit to Beijing to strengthen exchanges and professional collaboration between mainland China and Hong Kong accounting professions.
• Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2024MoU signed to strengthen exchanges between the accounting professions in Hong Kong and Singapore. Partnership supports professional development and cross-border collaboration.
• Global Accounting Alliance (GAA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2023Extensions to Reciprocal Membership Agreement with five chartered accountancy bodies of Global Accounting Alliance, enabling mutual recognition and professional mobility among member organizations.
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with ACCA for continuing professional development programmes and professional development resources.
• AICPA & CIMAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint continuing professional development programmes and collaborative professional development opportunities.
• Hong Kong Institute of Directors (HKIoD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for professional development programmes targeting directors and governance professionals.
• VTC - Institute of Professional Education and Knowledge (PEAK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for professional education and knowledge development in specialized accounting areas.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA): Global professional accountancy body awarding its own Chartered Certified Accountant designation, with strong presence in Hong Kong and direct reciprocal CPD arrangements with HKICPA. Most direct comparator on global, multi-jurisdictional CPA qualification operations.
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA): US national CPA body with joint CPD collaboration referenced in HKICPA's partnership portfolio. Comparable in scale, certification depth, and standards authority, although operating under different jurisdictional statute.
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA): Global accountancy body for management accounting with active MoU collaboration with HKICPA announced September 2024. Closely comparable in offering CPD, specialist designations, and serving Hong Kong-based finance professionals.
• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ): Combined Australian and New Zealand chartered accountancy body, member of the Global Accounting Alliance alongside HKICPA. Directly comparable vocational qualification, CPD programmes, and international reciprocity framework.
• CPA Australia: Leading Asia-Pacific CPA designation with active member base in Hong Kong. Comparable model of regional CPA certification, CPD subscriptions, and member services that compete for the same HK-resident accounting professionals.
• Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA): Statutory national accountancy body of Singapore with reciprocal MoU with HKICPA signed May 2024. Mirrors HKICPA's structure as a city-state/market-level CPA qualification, membership, and standards-setter, making it the closest regional comparison.
• Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA): The PRC national statutory body for CPAs, MoU partner with HKICPA signed June 2024. Operates the same vocational qualification, membership discipline, and standards-setting model in the larger Mainland China market, providing direct functional benchmarking.
• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW): UK statutory chartered accountancy body issuing the ACA designation. Functionally aligned to HKICPA through chartered qualification, membership CPD, and technical standards-setting for a major financial centre.

Others

• Hong Kong Institute of Directors (HKIoD): Statutory-adjacent professional body in Hong Kong with active collaboration with HKICPA on governance CPD and director education. Non-competing but structurally similar membership organisation targeting Hong Kong governance professionals.

Regional players

• Beijing Institute of Certified Public Accountants (BICPA): Municipal-level CPA body in Beijing with MoU renewed December 2024 with HKICPA. Operates narrower geographic remit than CICPA but performs the same statutory registration, CPD, and member regulatory functions at sub-national level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/thehkicpa
• Facebookfacebook.com/hkicpa.official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hong-kong-institute-of-certified-professional-accountants
• Instagraminstagram.com/hkicpa.official

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants