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head of taxation, ACCA, UK

Chas Roy-Chowdhury is head of taxation at ACCA. He has a degree in applied economics as well as being a member of ACCA.

'The ACCA exams were the toughest I have ever taken. The reason I chose ACCA was because it offered global mobility and recognition as a high quality qualification,' says Chas.

After he qualified, Chas worked in public practice from 1980 until 1991, when he joined ACCA's technical department. 'I consider it very important that the people I deal with externally are aware of my ACCA membership, as it demonstrates that the organisation has faith in the credibility of its own qualification.

'People who know anything about the accountancy profession realise how tough the qualification is to attain, and those who obtain it are going to be bright and capable individuals who they should consider recruiting. The qualification has enabled me to work in public practice, in auditing and accounting followed by tax; it has opened the door to variety and opportunity.'

Chas is president of the Taxation Committee of the small business grouping UEAPME and a member of the Indirect and Direct Tax Working Parties at Fédération des Experts Comptables Européens (FEE) - the umbrella body for European accountants. He is secretary to the ACCA taxation committee and is in regular contact with many government departments such as the UK Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise through formal committees and ad hoc meetings. In addition, he is committed to putting across the message on key tax issues to the broader public and opinion formers via the local, national and international media.

Chas considers that his role has helped move ACCA's media profile up several notches.

'This enhanced profile tied in with our public affairs activities is pivotal in developing ACCA's influence. I have made presentations on international tax issues to the European Parliament and at International conference venues, as well as lectured for ACCA on its courses and for its tax exams in China,' says Chas.

Of all his achievements, Chas cites the most memorable occasion in his career as when he travelled to Australia to make a speech at the opening ceremony for ACCA's office in Sydney: 'At the time it was a highly symbolic occasion for ACCA, because it was a major centre in the Asia Pacific region, the other side of the world from headquarters.'

In the future, Chas believes that: 'There is ongoing opportunity to take forward the organisation in terms of its image, profile and message to external parties globally. I would like to capitalise on greater profile building opportunities from an international perspective. This will support ACCA members who demonstrate and exhibit integrity and probity in all its forms across the spectrum of issues which affect them in their every day work environment,' he says.