South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA)

South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) was formed in the year 1984 to serve the accountancy profession in the South Asian Region and uphold its eminence in the world of accountancy. SAFA is an Apex Body of the South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation (SAARC) and a Regional Grouping of International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). SAFA represents over 170000 accountants having membership of the national chartered accountancy and cost and management accountancy institutions in the South Asian countries namely Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. SAFA came into existence at the initiative of the accounting professional bodies in the South Asian Region, which has a bong of culture and homogeneity of professional environment.

Birth of SAFA

The idea to form an alliance of accountancy bodies in South Asian Regional was conceived by Mr Ashok Kumbhat, the then President of ICAI, at the third National Conference of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka held in December 1982. At the meeting of the heads of accountancy bodies from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka held in August 1984 at New Delhi, the Constitution of the Body was signed. The meeting was attended by the heads of accounting bodies in South Asian Region.

Mission of SAFA

SAFA as a forum of professional accountancy bodies is committed to positioning, maintaining and developing the accountancy profession in South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) Region and ensuring its continued eminence in the world of accountancy; in the public interest and towards broad economic development of the region.

Objectives of SAFA

SAFA shall, in the public interest work towards strengthening the accountancy profession and sub serve in the interest of the broad economic development of SAARC Region. For this purpose SAFA shall undertake such functions as are necessary for achievement of its mission including the following:

1.    To understand the profession in the regional context and continuously work towards its development in keeping with global trends;

2.    T o participate and play the leadership role on the international forums;

3.    To promote harmonize accountancy profession in SAARC Region and in keeping with global development;

4.    To play promotional role for the countries within its jurisdiction, where the accountancy. profession does not exist or is not sufficiently developed;

5.    To promote and set professional standards.

6.    To act as interface between international bodies and member-bodies;

7.    To promote and develop state-of-the-m-t research compact; and

8.    To carry out such other activities as are considered incidental or ancillary to the above or Considered expedient in furtherance of the development of Accountancy profession in the SAARC Region.