Mutual Recognition Agreement for accountants signed between U.S. and New Zealand.

The U.S. International Qualifications Appraisal Board (IQAB), a joint body of the AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, signed a five-year Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants. MRAs facilitate cross-border mobility by streamlining the process for qualified professionals with accounting credentials to become certified and licensed in each other's countries.

"The importance of the accounting profession to international markets cannot be overestimated," said Barry Melancon, AICPA president and CEO. "CPAs and CAs touch every aspect of their respective capital market systems and contribute significantly to both economic success and, in times of trial, economic recovery. U.S. IQAB evaluates education, examination and experience requirements to assure state boards of the substantial equivalency of the other designation. This new agreement takes us a step further toward...