About the IAB

Run by finance
professionals, for
finance professionals

The Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers is a global membership community and awarding organisation for accountants, bookkeepers and finance professionals. We exist to raise the bar of bookkeeping in the UK and around the world — building a community of aspirational, entrepreneurial and highly qualified professionals, and giving them the accredited training, unwavering support and continuous development they need to succeed.

Become a Member Explore Our Qualifications

50+

Years of heritage

Continents

30+

Countries

Ofqual

Regulated

Meet Our CEO

Sarah Palmer is leading the IAB into a new era

Appointed Chief Executive in 2024, Sarah Palmer is a qualified bookkeeper who built and ran her own successful practice before dedicating herself to the profession's future. She leads the IAB with a practitioner's understanding of the work our members do every day — and an uncompromising mission: modernisation, and a renewed focus on integrity in process, practice and performance.

"Our members are at the heart of everything we do — and my job is to make sure the Institute earns their trust every single day."

Read Sarah’s full story

What We Do

Everything a finance professional needs, in one place

We are both a membership body and an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation. That dual role means we don't just teach the profession — we set its standards, protect its integrity and stand behind our members throughout their careers.

Regulated qualifications

Ofqual-regulated qualifications in bookkeeping, payroll, accounting and finance, from Level 1 through to Level 4, delivered through our global network of approved training centres.

Membership & support

Professional recognition, designatory letters, weekly resources, live Q&A sessions and a community that backs you at every stage — whether you're employed or in self-employed practice.

AML supervision

As an HM Treasury–recognised supervisory body, we provide Anti-Money Laundering supervision, compliance guidance and training to keep members on the right side of regulation.

Continuing development

A growing library of CPD courses across bookkeeping, accountancy, payroll and business skills, so members stay current as the profession changes.

From your first qualification to running your own practice, the IAB is the professional home that grows with you.

Our History

More than fifty years of raising the standard

The IAB was founded in the United Kingdom in 1973 as an international professional and examining body for bookkeepers. From those beginnings we grew into a globally recognised institute, broadening our remit from bookkeeping into accounting, payroll, financial management and the practical business skills people need to start and grow a small business.

Over the decades our qualifications became regulated by Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation in England, and today we offer more than twenty qualifications from Level 1 to Level 4. In 2017 we were approved as a supervisory body under the Money Laundering Regulations — a mark of the trust placed in us by government and the profession alike.

Today the IAB works alongside the International Association of Accounting Professionals (IAAP) and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) — whose own qualification heritage stretches back to 1912. Between us, this combined heritage and global footprint keeps universally recognised qualifications credible, relevant and accessible across four continents and more than thirty countries.

The Team

The people behind the Institute

The IAB is led by experienced finance professionals, educators and international specialists who share one goal: elevating the standards of business and finance.

Leadership & Board

Honorary PresidentFabian Hamilton MP
Fabian has been a Labour MP for Leeds North East since 1997. Before his election to Parliament, Fabian served for 10 years as a Labour member of Leeds City Council and chaired the Councils Education and Economic Development Committees.
Chief Executive OfficerSarah Palmer
A qualified bookkeeper leading the Institute's modernisation. Read her full story on the CEO page.
Chief Operating OfficerBrady Last
An experienced business leader who led an award-winning R&D tax consultancy to its sale to EY, now driving the IAB's governance and growth.
DirectorLouise Stewart
A communications professional and former BBC political correspondent, named one of the most influential people in PR by PR Week's PowerBook.
Chief ExaminerMike Donald
Over twenty years as a headteacher, now leading the design and regulatory compliance of IAB qualifications. Joined the IAB in October 2023.

International Development

Vice President — East AsiaDr Eric Li He
A DBA graduate and Chairman of Beijing Zhongcaihe International Education Technology Group, leading the IAB's work across East Asia.
Director of International DevelopmentRanjit Srivenkatesh
A social entrepreneur with close to three decades of business experience and more than 23 years in transnational education, associated with the IAB since 2006.
Associate Director — S.E. AsiaMax Lee
Joined the IAB in 2003 and focuses on the Asia Pacific and China markets.

Meet the full team

Together with our International Advisory Board, this team keeps the IAB globally connected and locally relevant. Meet the full International Advisory Board on our Partnerships and Global Reach page.

Partnerships & Global Reach

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Explore the membership grades and benefits, or see exactly what you need to apply.

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About the IAB

Run by finance
professionals, for
finance professionals

Meet Our CEO

Sarah Palmer is leading the IAB into a new era

Everything a finance professional needs, in one place

Regulated qualifications

Membership & support

AML supervision

Continuing development

More than fifty years of raising the standard

The people behind the Institute

Leadership & Board

International Development

Ready to take the next step?

Contact Us

Follow Us On

Our Group

Information Pages

About the IAB

Run by finance professionals, for finance professionals

Meet Our CEO

Sarah Palmer is leading the IAB into a new era

Everything a finance professional needs, in one place

Regulated qualifications

Membership & support

AML supervision

Continuing development

More than fifty years of raising the standard

The people behind the Institute

Leadership & Board

International Development

Ready to take the next step?

Contact Us

Follow Us On

Our Group

Information Pages

Run by finance
professionals, for
finance professionals