In a landmark step for higher education and professional training in Guyana, the University of Guyana’s (UG) School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI) announced Tuesday that its Bachelor of Accountancy Degree Programme has earned formal accreditation from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), one of the world’s most prominent global professional accounting bodies.
The accreditation, which took effect on January 1, 2026, will remain valid through December 31, 2030. It provides official international validation that UG’s accounting education meets rigorous global quality benchmarks, elevating the degree’s standing for graduates seeking employment or professional advancement across international markets.
While UG accounting graduates have previously been eligible for individual ACCA exam exemptions, this marks the first time the university has secured program-wide institutional accreditation. This milestone aligns UG’s academic curricula with global professional standards and solidifies the institution’s position as Guyana’s top provider of business-focused higher education.
UG Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin publicly recognized the contributions of Dr. Alfred Aaron, Head of the Department of Accountancy and Finance, SEBI Dean Professor Leyland Lucas, ACCA representatives, and leaders of local accounting firms for their guidance and collaborative work throughout the multi-stage accreditation preparation process. She framed the achievement as a key milestone in UG’s broader push to become a globally competitive world-class university.
“We are delighted to celebrate another step towards making the University of Guyana into a world-class university,” Professor Mohamed Martin said in a statement. “Dr Aaron and SEBI are working with local partners and ACCA on several other initiatives which will add value to our students and accelerate their certifications for quicker entry into professional practice. This is a big win for our students.”
Echoing that sentiment, Dr. Aaron described the accreditation as a transformative landmark achievement for the entire institution. “This accreditation confirms that our Bachelor of Accountancy programme meets internationally recognised standards and reflects the quality of teaching, curriculum design, and assessment within the department,” he explained. “It is a significant achievement for the University and a major advantage for our students, who will now have a more direct pathway towards global professional certification.”
The new accreditation unlocks tangible benefits for all current and future students pursuing careers in accounting, finance, auditing, and related fields. Starting in 2026, all graduates of UG’s Bachelor of Accountancy programme who go on to pursue full ACCA qualification will be eligible to waive four foundational ACCA papers: Business and Technology, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, and Corporate and Business Law. That leaves graduates with just nine remaining papers to complete before earning the globally respected ACCA professional credential, cutting down the time and cost required to reach full certification.
Dr. Aaron credited the cross-institutional collaboration between UG faculty, administrators, and international professional partners for the successful outcome, thanking the vice-chancellor and SEBI’s dean for their consistent leadership and support throughout the years-long accreditation process. Dr. Aaron himself led the initiative, coordinating all documentation, submissions, and stakeholder engagement required for ACCA review.
UG also highlighted the critical support provided by ACCA’s Trinidad-based regional team, specifically singling out Senior Business Relationship Manager Anouska Sammy and Business Relationship Manager Aisha McKenna for their consistent guidance throughout the accreditation journey.
The new program accreditation reflects UG’s long-term commitment to delivering academically excellent, professionally relevant education that prepares graduates to compete in the global workforce and contribute to Guyana’s fast-growing economy. “As the country continues its unprecedented growth and development, UG remains committed to producing highly skilled accounting and finance professionals equipped with academic knowledge and internationally recognised professional credentials,” the university said in its official announcement.
This milestone builds on a series of recent expansions to SEBI’s industry-aligned program offerings. Just months prior, the school launched two new specialized credentials focused on the country’s booming energy sector: an Associate Degree in Oil and Gas Accounting, Taxation and Audit, and a Graduate Executive Diploma in the same specialization.
The ACCA accreditation also comes on the heels of another major milestone for UG: in 2025, the university earned its first-ever institutional accreditation from Guyana’s National Accreditation Council (NAC), 62 years after it was founded in 1963. That institutional accreditation confirmed UG meets consistent high standards across academics, administration, and student support services, boosting confidence in the quality of a UG degree both locally and around the world.