In today’s environment of economic uncertainty, digital disruption, and declining institutional confidence, trust has become an even more critical currency which underpins meaningful transactions. The good news is, Chartered Accountants (CAs) are ranked among the world’s most trusted professions, according to the latest Trust survey. This high level of trust is vital as CAs are increasingly stepping up to become advisors and partners to organisations. Trust also opens the door to new opportunities.
Globally, trust in the accountancy profession is rising, with CAs viewed as reliable partners in navigating artificial intelligence (AI), countering misinformation, and upholding ethical leadership. But despite this high esteem, the profession faces challenges, including talent shortage and mounting expectations around purpose-driven leadership.
For the survey, trust is centred around four strategic dimensions: ability (good at what they do), integrity (is honest), dependability (keeps promises), and purpose or ESG (tries hard to have a positive impact on society).
The survey, Evaluating Trust in the Accountancy Sector for Chartered Accountants (Wave 5), September 2025, by Chartered Accountants Worldwide in partnership with Edelman DXI, taps into the insights of 1,725 senior financial decision-makers (director level and above) from businesses across 10 markets, namely, Australia, England, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Wales, and Zimbabwe.
1) Trust in CAs and professional bodies continues to grow
Globally, trust in CAs (83%) to “do the right thing” has remained stable since 2023 (Wave 4 report), while trust in Accountants (78%) dropped by three points. There is a trust differential of five points between the two, the biggest since the study began in 2018.
The trust for CAs (83%) places it third among other professions. This moves it ahead of Scientists (82%) while closing the gap on Doctors and Engineers (both 85%)
To ensure further growth, better performance on confidentiality, which has dropped five points, is needed.
2) CAs are reliable partners in guiding businesses through AI adoption and countering misinformation
CAs, who have proven themselves as reliable partners during several crisis in the last four years (COVID-19, Brexit, economic uncertainties), are now playing a crucial role in guiding businesses to adapt to new challenges (85%), including in such areas as misinformation and issues associated with AI.
Three in four respondents say their organisation is already relying on CAs to ensure data integrity (up six points from 2023), affirming CAs’ position as data custodians.
3) Purpose is gaining importance, yet CAs, despite improvements, are struggling to keep up
Purpose, though not among the top expectations, is growing in importance at a fast pace (up four points from 2023), more so than other dimensions of trust, which are relatively stable.
However, as CAs’ performance on Purpose drivers is accelerating at a slower rate (up two points from 2023), a bigger performance-expectation gap is emerging. Nonetheless, the credibility of the “CA voice” regarding Purpose issues is indisputable (82%, up 13 points from 2023); this signals both an opportunity and a necessity to regain focus.
4) Despite being held in high esteem, the CA profession is facing a talent shortage
CA is viewed as a prestigious profession (86%) that attracts quality candidates (77%). Decision-makers, too, would encourage new graduates to enter the profession (81%), though behind Engineering; Science; and Technology/FinTech (all 84%).
However, the profession is facing a talent shortage (70%), which is having profound effects on businesses, including on costs (77%), as well as compliance and financial risks (74%).
Having previously played a key role in building resilience in the face of crises, CAs are now helping to prepare businesses in key digital transformation, particularly in countering misinformation, and AI utilisation.
The high level of trust in CAs also provides new opportunities, such as in driving organisational strategy not only in AI but also in ESG. This is because such leadership is heavily predicated on trust. Particularly in recent years, CAs are seen as credible spokespersons (83%) on business issues such as sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion (up 13 points from 2023).
In Singapore, CAs (85% in 2025; up from 78% in 2019) are the second-most trusted profession.
Similar to global trends, Singapore CAs are highly regarded as important partners and strategic advisors who are adept at helping organisations navigate the complex business environment, drive strategy, uphold ethical leadership, and more. The trust in ISCA as the national accountancy body has also jumped to 88%, up from 80% in 2019.
Among the dimensions of trust, integrity stands out. Since 2019, there has been a big jump in trust for CAs.
While corporate scandals may chip away at the trust that people have in finance professionals, the Trust survey shows that there is growing respect and recognition of the important roles played by CAs. And, they are being acknowledged for the immense value they can bring to the highest level of organisation. The “Chartered Accountant” designation is clearly one that accountants would want to aspire to.
© 2024 Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants
