Who we are

The Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA) is an internationally recognised professional accountancy membership body providing dedicated support to SMEs and SMPs.

We are part of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) Group, the world’s largest SME-focused accountancy group, with more than 49,000 members and students in 100 countries.

We are recognised by HM Treasury to regulate our members for the purposes of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 and 2019 and are a full member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) the global accounting standard-setter and regulator. 

A micro, SME and SMP focus

Our members work within micro and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or in micro and small- to medium-sized accounting practices (SMPs) advising micro and SME clients.

We recognise the important role SMPs play in supplying professional services to their SME clients who are vital wealth creators as employers to more than half of the UK’s private sector workforce and the power behind urban and rural communities worldwide.

Hear from our members about what being a financial accountant means and how we support them to meet the unique challenges and trading relationships associated with smaller business.