International Trade in Services.pdf - DSpace at Khazar University

278 International Trade in Services
the more the profession is exposed to competition in an open trade environment.
Thus, the adoption of international standards and trade integration
create business opportunities and highlight areas in need of adjustment in the
profession.
For trade purposes, it is essential that the education and training of accountants
include exposure to international standards. In some countries, the profession has
complete control of education and training, as well as the professional qualifications
tests. In other countries, the government is involved. Frequent dialogue
between the private and public sectors is needed to adjust curricula to the
profession’s needs. Unlike in many other professions, some international examinations
exist that make mutual recognition of diplomas more straightforward.
Students in developing countries can sit for the Association of Certified Chartered
Accountants examination (160 examination centers in the world) and gain the
associated accreditation without needing to attend a course in the United Kingdom
or elsewhere. This diploma is recognized in most English-speaking countries.
Pass rates depend on the quality of the education received locally, and it is therefore
in a country’s best interests to adjust curricula. (See box 8.7 for an example of a
regional agreement on the mutual recognition of qualifications in the European
Union [EU].)
It is important for countries to provide adequate training (quality) for an
adequate number of professionals (quantity). Certification requirements vary
among countries; generally, they may include a postsecondary degree, professional
experience, and, in some instances, an examination. Licensing requirements
are also often unique to each country. In some cases, the examinations
are so burdensome that the country does not train enough professionals to
meet its local or even its international needs. In Morocco, for instance, only
three new accountants were admitted to the professional order between 1993
and 2002. This number was insufficient to allow for the development and
renewal of the profession. The vested interests of a few already established
professionals or entities obviously prevailed over the interests of consumers.
The adoption of standard international qualifications ensures that these
requirements are not used for anticompetitive purposes and are not more
trade restrictive than necessary. In Tunisia, the passing rate on the accounting
examination is only 3 percent. The length of study, including mandatory initial
training, exceeds the length required in France and other countries for
certification. The country nonetheless managed to double the number of
practicing accountants between 1997 and 2004. A clear assessment of the
economy’s needs for accounting services should be made by the government
and professional bodies to fine-tune the education system. Opening access to