Global audiences can join the profession’s flagship event live from Seoul and access main-stage programming on demand
The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) today announced the opening of virtual registration for the World Congress of Accountants (WCOA) 2026, hosted jointly with the Korean Institute of Certified Public Accountants (KICPA) from November 17–19, 2026, in Seoul, South Korea. Virtual participation will give professional accountants, students, business leaders, policymakers, academics, and interested members of the public around the world the opportunity to take part in the global profession’s flagship event.
Virtual attendance includes:
- Live access to all main-stage programming, including keynote addresses, plenary panel discussions, fireside chats, and other main WCOA sessions.
- Live programming in Korea Standard Time (KST, UTC+9) for attendees who want to follow the event in real time.
- On-demand access to recorded main-stage sessions after the event through Whova, the official WCOA 2026 event platform.
- Perspectives from more than 30 global thought leaders, including Shin Je-yoon, Chairman of the Board of Samsung; Tom Hood, Executive Vice President, Business Growth and Engagement of AICPA; and Wes Bricker, Global Vice Chair - Global Chief Risk and Regulatory Officer at PwC. Session topics include, but are not limited to:
- AI and the future of accountancy
- Sustainable development and stronger institutions, and
- Attracting the next generation of leaders to the profession.
- Flexible access from anywhere in the world, allowing registered virtual attendees to catch up on main-stage programming at a time that works for them.
Please note: Virtual registration does not include live access to concurrent breakout-room sessions. However, registered virtual participants will be able to access recordings of these sessions through Whova following the event.
“WCOA has always been about bringing the global profession together, and virtual participation allows us to extend those conversations far beyond the room in Seoul,” said Lee White, Chief Executive Officer of IFAC. “Whether joining live or watching on demand from another part of the world, participants will hear different perspectives on the issues shaping our future and be part of a truly global conversation.”
"We are delighted to host the first WCOA Congress under its new biennial format here in Seoul, bringing together representatives from around the world," said President Woon-Youl Choi of KICPA. "We hope this Congress sparks in-depth discussion on accounting, auditing, and sustainability, as well as the challenges and opportunities of AI-driven digital transformation, and that Korea's experience strengthening accounting transparency can help shape new value for future generations."
Under the theme “Together for a Connected Tomorrow,” WCOA 2026 will bring together leaders from the accountancy profession and the wider financial ecosystem to explore the forces transforming economies, institutions, businesses, and the profession itself.
Register for virtual access to WCOA 2026
For the latest program information, visit ifac.org/wcoa.
About IFAC
IFAC, by connecting and uniting its members, makes the accountancy profession truly global.
IFAC member organizations are champions of integrity and professional quality, and proudly carry their membership as a badge of international recognition.
IFAC and its members work together with the Forum of Firms and other key stakeholders to shape the future of the profession through learning, innovation, a collective voice, and commitment to the public interest.
About KICPA
The Korean Institute of Certified Public Accountants (KICPA), established in 1954 under the Certified Public Accountants Act, is the statutory professional body representing Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Korea. Guided by the principle that sound accounting makes economic fundamentals sound, KICPA works to build trust and transparency in Korea's financial markets. Through setting professional standards, ensuring ethical conduct, and supporting continuous professional development, KICPA enables CPAs to serve the public interest, promote sound corporate governance, and contribute to Korea's economic development. KICPA is a member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global home for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest.