A word from the President

« Although Paris will make you Parisian and London a Londoner, but will allow you to be yourself » Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt


 
The European Union is, directly or indirectly, at the origin of the very large majority of the reforms which have affected the French private-sector accounting profession in the past fifteen years. And what could be more logical, for an economic services profession, called on to operate one day in a single market of more than 20 million companies and half a billion people?
 
In such a competitive market, the challenge for the “French” accounting profession is none other than its ability to provide support for businesses and individuals in their entirety and to provide them with high-quality advice (particularly in tax matters), while emphasising the key elements of its professional model which are real strengths for its customers, for the economy and for itself.
 
So let us act at the European level! That is why the Higher Council of the Order has unanimously decided to organise its 2016 Congress, outside its national borders for the first time in its history, at the very heart of the European Union, at a time when taxation is at the top of the European political agenda, as well as regulation of the profession. 
 
Chartered accountant, tax-expert! The theme of this congress will be taxation and its connection with accounting, because this area is a growth market for firms. This congress must allow the accounting profession, and particularly the French profession to position itself, as an actor of reference at the European level, able to respond positively to a number of concerns expressed by the European public authorities. We will also be making a number of proposals for reform to the European institutions with regard to taxation that are being sought by French accountants.
 
This 71st Congress of the Order, at Brussels Expo, from 28 to 30 September 2016, brings together all the ingredients to make it a highly noteworthy congress which will allow us to be ourselves, in the heart of Europe, in the interest of each one of us.

Collegially yours,

Philippe Arraou
Président du Conseil supérieur
de l'ordre des experts-comptables