Financial crime is not just a law enforcement issue, it is a threat to economic growth, public trust, and sustainable development. Corruption, money laundering, and other illicit financial flows distort markets, weaken institutions, and deprive governments of resources needed to deliver for citizens.

Professional accountants play a critical role in protecting the integrity of the global financial system. Every day, they help ensure transparency, uphold ethical standards, identify suspicious activity, and strengthen confidence in financial- and wider-  reporting and governance.

However, we must not be complacent. Historical and recent scandals, the rise of technology-enabled fraud, cryptocurrencies, and increasingly complex financial structures have intensified global focus on the role of professional intermediaries, including accountants, in preventing or enabling illicit financial flows.

And while the overwhelming majority carry out their responsibilities with professionalism and integrity, like for any profession, there are individuals who deliberately seek to circumvent or abuse the very rules designed to protect the public interest. Those bad actors undermine trust in the entire profession and reinforce the need for high quality global standards, effective supervision, strong enforcement, and a culture of accountability.