Rubicola founder Joseph Owolabi has been elected as the new president of ACCA.
Joseph Owolabi has been elected as president of ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), the world’s leading professional accountancy body.
Joseph grew up and studied in Nigeria, has lived and worked in Africa, North America and the UK, and now is an adoptive Australian. He will bring his knowledge of being a global citizen to his time as ACCA president and will draw on his experience of finding a home and a family with ACCA wherever he has lived and worked.
He became an ACCA member in 2011 and has served on ACCA’s International Assembly 2014-2015 and has been an ACCA Council member since 2015.
Joseph said: ‘If you had told me as a child growing up that I would one day be the first African leading the largest, truly global accounting body, I would not have believed you. ACCA is an inclusive open and global community for members, future members and partners. Wherever in the world I have found myself, ACCA has given me a home and a family.
"I am passionate about connecting our community and inspiring the accountants of tomorrow. Great things happen when we collaborate across jurisdictions and national divides.
"The challenges of today and the complexities of tomorrow will demand continuous learning, courage, sound judgment and a resolve to stay ahead of the curve. The accountancy profession has a key role to play in creating a better world."
Joseph brings a wealth of experience to the role. He is founder of Rubicola which works in Australia, Africa and North America advising clients on risk, non-financial reporting and sustainable business strategies. His previous experience includes roles at Deloitte, EY and PwC.
As well as his FCCA qualification, Joseph has completed an executive leadership program at Harvard Business School and an environmental, sustainability leadership program at The Wharton School.
Joseph was confirmed in his new role at the annual Council meeting after ACCA’s AGM on 10 November 2022. Ronnie Patton, formerly senior lecturer at Ulster University, Northern Ireland, was appointed deputy president and Ayla Majid from Pakistan, founder and CEO of Planetive – a company advocating sustainability – became vice president.
