The Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) has granted NVQ Level 6 equivalency to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business, marking a significant step in strengthening professional education pathways in Sri Lanka.

The recognition aligns the ACCA Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business with NVQ Level 6 – Higher National Diploma in Accounting under the approved qualification mapping framework set out in NVQ Circular 05/2021.

The equivalency applies specifically to the ACCA Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business and covers all qualification holders from 2012 onwards, including current students and future graduates. This means a broad base of ACCA learners in Sri Lanka will now benefit from formal recognition within the country’s National Vocational Qualification framework.

TVEC clarified that the recognition has been granted on an equivalency basis and does not amount to formal NVQ accreditation of the ACCA programme itself. However, the move is expected to serve as an important bridge between an internationally recognised professional qualification and Sri Lanka’s national education and skills framework.

Commenting on the development, ACCA Head of South Asia Nilusha Ranasinghe said: “This recognition by TVEC is a significant development for ACCA students and affiliates in Sri Lanka. It reinforces the value of the ACCA qualification within the national framework, while maintaining its global relevance. Most importantly, it opens up greater opportunities for our learners in terms of employability, career mobility, and further academic progression.”

TVEC Director General and CEO Dr. K.A. Lalithadheera said the decision reflected the commission’s broader efforts to align internationally recognised qualifications with Sri Lanka’s National Vocational Qualification framework.

“This equivalency reflects our ongoing commitment to aligning internationally recognised qualifications with Sri Lanka’s National Vocational Qualification framework. By ensuring that such qualifications meet national competency standards, we aim to enhance skills recognition, support workforce development, and create more accessible pathways for professional growth,” he said.

The approval also allows ACCA to officially state the NVQ Level 6 equivalency on relevant documents, a move expected to strengthen the qualification’s local recognition and credibility.

TVEC has also indicated that periodic reviews may be carried out to ensure continued alignment with national competency standards, maintaining the integrity and relevance of the equivalency over time.

The development is expected to improve mobility and employability for accounting professionals in Sri Lanka by creating stronger links between international professional education and local qualification standards. It is also likely to support greater career advancement opportunities, public sector recognition, and further academic progression for students and professionals.

Overall, the recognition reflects a growing effort to harmonise globally recognised professional qualifications with national frameworks, offering benefits to individuals as well as Sri Lanka’s wider financial and business sectors.