Irish man elected president of global accountancy body

Ronnie Patton is the second member of ACCA Ireland in three years to serve as ACCA President

Ronnie Patton is the newly elected president of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Irish man Ronnie Patton has been elected president of the global accountancy body the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Mr Patton is a retired finance lecturer at Ulster University, Belfast. Originally from Bangor in Co. Down, he joined the ACCA in 1981 and previously served as the president of ACCA Ireland. 

He was elected to ACCA’s Council in 2014, and was elected to the role of ACCA Deputy President in November 2022.

Mr Patton is the second member of ACCA Ireland in three years to serve as ACCA President, following Orla Collins from Dublin who served between 2021 and 2022.

Mr Patton said he “can’t wait to get started” and “do all I can to contribute to our work around the world”.

He added that during his presidency he will be focusing on “purpose, professionalism, and people” and “how the ACCA stands for more than just making money”.

Between 2003 and 2022, Mr Patton was a senior lecturer in professional accounting practice at Ulster University. Prior to this, he held various roles in industry and professional practice.

Founded in 1904, the ACCA has over 247,000 members across 181 countries.

The ACCA’s global governing Council also includes deputy president Ayla Majid from Pakistan and vice-president Melanie Proffitt from England.