The Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation^® (ACAT) was established in 1973 as a non-profit independent testing, accrediting and monitoring organization. The Council accredits  independent practitioners who specialize in providing financial, accounting and taxation services to individuals and small to mid-size businesses. Professionals receive accreditation through examination and/or coursework and maintain accreditation through commitment to continuing professional education,  adherence to the Council's Code of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct, and paying of annual renewal fees.  ACAT is affiliated with the National Society of Accountants headquartered in Alexandria, VA.

Governance
ACAT is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of practitioners and educators. The Board carefully monitors legislative and regulatory matters affecting taxation and accountancy, works for continuing recognition of the need for professional standards, conducts job practice analyses, and updates ACAT examination and study materials to reflect our changing profession.

Objectives

• To raise professional standards and improve the practices of accountancy and taxation.

• To accredit persons with demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of accountancy and taxation.
• To encourage practitioners in a continuing program of professional development.
• To assure that accredited individuals provide the highest degree of technical proficiency in small and mid-size business and individual accounting and taxation services.
• To foster increased recognition for the accredited individual in the public, private and educational sectors of our nation.

Code of Ethics

The Council is dedicated to the highest professional standards. Business, public and government rely upon the public accounting profession more than ever for the complete and accurate presentation of financial information, schedules and reports, as well as judgment in business matters. Each individual accredited by the Council accepts this responsibility, and pledges to abide by the Code of Ethics.

Credentials
ACAT confers five professional designations:

• Accredited Business Accountant^®/Accredited Business Advisor® (ABA)
• Accredited Tax Advisor^® (ATA)
• Accredited Tax Preparer^® (ATP)
• Elder Care Specialist^® (ECS)
• International Accredited Business Accountant (available only to practitioners who do not practice within the United States of America)