Institute news

HKICPA delegation’s London visit strengthens business ties between Hong Kong and U.K.

A Hong Kong Institute of CPAs leadership delegation wrapped up a successful three-day official visit to London from 6-8 July. Led by President Stephen Law, Vice-President Jasmine Lee, Chief Executive and Registrar Arthur Lee, and Executive Director Elaine Chung, the delegation engaged with government officials, professional bodies, academic institutions, and business leaders. Their mission focused on deepening the accounting professional and business ties between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, and promoting Hong Kong as a gateway for Chinese Mainland enterprises going global.

During the visit, the delegation paid a courtesy call on Dame Susan Langley, Lord Mayor of the City of London, exchanging views on international collaboration, talent mobility, U.K.- Asia connectivity, and the accounting profession’s contribution to cross-border trade.

The Institute delegation also met with the London Stock Exchange to explore strategic pathways for secondary listings and deepen cross-border financial connectivity.

On the front of international exchange and talent development, the delegation engaged with leading higher education institutions, including University College London and London Business School, to explore further collaboration opportunities to jointly nurture professional talent. The delegation also met with students interested in pursuing careers in Hong Kong.

On 7 July, the delegation co-hosted two themed events with key partners, sharing Hong Kong’s latest developments and regional opportunities with local professionals. The Institute, alongside the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) London Office, InvestHK, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, the Hong Kong Business Network (HKBN), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), organized a morning seminar themed “New U.K. Opportunities from China’s ‘Go Global’ Wave – Where Hong Kong Fits and How U.K. Players Plug In”.

On the evening of the same day, the Institute, in collaboration with the ICAEW and HKBN, hosted an exchange event titled “Hong Kong Insights: Asia’s Growth, Global Opportunity and the Role of the Profession”.

Building on these discussions, the Institute will follow up to establish regular communication channels and create more opportunities for its members. Read the press release to learn more.

Institute leadership concludes visit to Beijing and Shanghai

The Institute leadership and Council completed a productive four-day visit to Beijing and Shanghai from 7-10 June. This trip maintained the Institute’s annual Beijing tradition while adding Shanghai to the itinerary for the first time in years. The expansion deepens ties within the Yangtze River Delta region, securing key milestones that benefit members’ long-term professional growth. Additionally, the delegation observed the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square, marking a moment of appreciation for national history and development.

In Beijing, the delegation held intensive meetings with the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the IFRS Foundation Beijing Office, and the Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Discussions focused on industry development, regulatory policies, talent cultivation, and sustainability, yielding valuable insights and consensus.

In Shanghai, the delegation met with the Shanghai United Front Work Department, the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the Shanghai Institute of Certified Public Accountants (SICPA), and the Shanghai National Accounting Institute. Exchanges centred on capital market connectivity between Shanghai and Hong Kong, supporting enterprises in expanding overseas, and nurturing cross-border accounting talent.

During the visit, the Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the SICPA, covering collaboration in talent exchange, coordinated development, resource sharing, and industry cooperation. This marks another milestone in the Institute’s Mainland cooperation network. Read the press release to learn more.

Institute appointed ISSB Training Partner

In June, the Institute was among the first organizations in Hong Kong to be appointed an International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Training Partner by the IFRS Foundation. This new global programme recognizes authorized organizations to deliver official training on IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (ISSB Standards) using IFRS Foundation-developed content, supporting a consistent, high-quality learning experience.

Building on this partnership, the Institute will upgrade its existing Sustainability Reporting Certificate Programme later this year to incorporate IFRS Foundation-developed materials, offering enhanced training on the ISSB Standards. Read the press release to learn more.

Institute welcomes HKEX’s streamlined board lot framework

The Institute welcomes the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited’s (HKEX) newly announced enhancements to the board lot framework for the Hong Kong securities market, which should reduce market complexity and improve operational efficiency. The Institute actively contributed to the HKEX consultation process, and key recommendations supported by the Institute – including the reduction of the value floor and the standardization of board lot units – have been adopted in the finalized framework.

Stephen Law, Institute President, noted that the streamlined board lot framework will bring clear and tangible benefits to the stock market by lowering entry barriers, reducing trading friction, and enhancing accessibility for a broader base of investors. He added that standardizing and simplifying market arrangements is crucial to maintaining Hong Kong’s competitive edge and strengthening market liquidity.

Read the Institute’s submission and press release for more details.

Institute joins SFST-led delegation to Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shanghai

Institute President Stephen Law participated in a four-day delegation visit to Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Shanghai, led by Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, from 14-18 June. The delegation brought together over 30 leaders from Hong Kong’s financial sector to strengthen collaboration with Chinese Mainland enterprises, emphasizing shared goals for mutual growth.

Institute members and representatives from Go-Global List CPA firms joined the delegation, engaging with over 300 Mainland enterprises at a luncheon to share insights on compliance and cross border development. They also visited Ant Group, Manycore Tech Inc. and the Institute of Global Development at Zhejiang University, gaining a deeper understanding of innovation enterprises and their internationalization needs.

The team then held in depth exchanges with 14 leading enterprises on financing, tax planning, and global compliance, while visiting Jiangsu Jinfu Digital Tech Group Co., Ltd., Innovent Biologics Inc, Zhongyifeng Holdings Group Co., Ltd., and meeting with the Jiangsu Branch of the People’s Bank of China.

The visit concluded in Shanghai, where the delegation engaged with the Shanghai Pudong Service Center for Overseas Investment, and met with four enterprises seeking international expansion, and attended the 2026 Lujiazui Forum to explore future pathways for Shanghai-Hong Kong financial cooperation.

Institute partners with ZUEL

The Institute and Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (ZUEL) co-hosted a seminar on high-quality talent development and a certificate presentation ceremony on 13 May.

Through this partnership, the Institute has accredited four undergraduate programmes at ZUEL’s School of Accountancy: Accounting, Accounting (CICPA), Financial Management, and Financial Management (CIMA Track). Enrolled students will enjoy exclusive benefits, including Qualification Programme (QP) module exemptions, examination fee discount, and early registration privileges, offering them a streamlined pathway to becoming qualified Hong Kong CPAs.

Institute Chief Executive and Registrar Arthur Lee presented the accreditation certificate to ZUEL, marking the official launch of the partnership.

“This collaboration provides a strong platform for nurturing globally competitive accounting talent and marks a new chapter in our development in Central China,” Lee said.

Launched in 2024, the New Partnership Scheme expands Institute’s network with Mainland universities. Under this initiative, the Institute will conduct QP module exemption assessments for professional courses nominated by universities. Programmes that meet the required number of exempted modules will be recognized as certified programmes. Read the press release to learn more.