To implement the Professional Accountancy Organization (PAO) Development Committee’s objectives, the Committee has created the ADVANCE initiative. ADVANCE stands for Accountancy Development via Awareness building, kNowledge sharing, and Collaborative Efforts. The initiative brings to life the PAO Development Committee strategic goals and their underlying objectives through its four key programs.

• The International Organizations Collaboration Program, which enhances communication and alignment of Committee activities with those of other international organizations.

  The PAO Development Committee coordinates and collaborates with numerous international organizations to advance the accountancy profession. Going forward, these efforts will be formalized to better identify opportunities to work with multilateral and bilateral donor organizations as well as other international stakeholders.

  As an example, IFAC will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding with members of the donor community to bring together the global accountancy profession and donors using a common approach, thereby providing a framework for joint efforts to enhance accountancy capacity.

• The Ambassadors Program, which mobilizes current and former PAO Development Committee Members to assist in the development of PAOs around the world.

  In recognition of the need for additional capacity and resources for PAO Development Committee awareness and outreach activities, willing PAO Development Committee members, as well as other interested parties, will represent the committee at third party events.

• The Mentoring Facilitation Program, which raises awareness of mentoring activities and provides information and assistance about mentoring to PAOs.

  Focus on this form of technical assistance has increased significantly over the past few years, as its value and effectiveness continues to be recognized by both beneficiaries and mentors alike. The Mentoring Facilitation Program aims to further raise the profile of mentoring and provide information and assistance to PAOs as mentoring projects are considered and undertaken.

  A task force has been created to lead this program and is currently working to refine its goals and deliverables, which will include expansion of the Mentoring Guidelines to create a Mentoring Toolkit of resources, including case studies and interviews; and the provision of opportunities for active knowledge sharing and lessons learned through dedicated events.

• Regional Collaboration Program, focused on coordinating efforts that encompass three key elements to encourage the development of PAOs on a regional level:

• Enhanced communication and coordination with IFAC Regional Organizations and Accountancy Groupings;
• Creation of PAO Development Committee regional strategies for the six IFAC regions (Africa-Middle East, Asia, Australasia-Oceania, Europe, Latin America-Caribbean, and North America). These strategies will enhance the activities of the Committee by aligning them with the unique challenges and opportunities specific to each region.
• Support and participation in key regional activities, events, and programs.