what is ACIE?

The Association of Charity Independent Examiners is focused on raising the standards of Independent Examination. ACIE supports Independent Examiners and small charities by offering webinars, workshops and other training events ensuring that Independent Examiners are up to date and conversant with Best Practice.

ACIE specialises in training both accountants and non-accountants to undertake independent examination in their communities. To undertake IE at a higher level (i.e. above £250,000 in England & Wales and Northern Ireland and the examination of accruals accounts in Scotland) independent examiners must hold a relevant accountancy qualification. 

ACIE offers a full training course in Independent Examination that leads to Full Membership and a qualification that permits individuals without an appropriate qualification to undertake Independent Examination.

Founded in 1999, ACIE is the only professional body whose sole focus is IE. The ACIE provides a regular programme of seminars and conferences aimed at ensuring that Independent Examiners are up to date and conversant with Best Practice.

ACIE offers two types of membership:

• Affiliate membership:

• open to anyone interested in the independent examinations of charity accounts, who supports the aims of ACIE and is willing to adhere to the ACIE Code of Ethics for any independent examinations undertaken. All new members must begin as Affiliate members. To join, select your membership level at the bottom of the form and follow the instructions.

• Full Membership: 

• you need to pass a qualifying assessment. You will need to provide evidence of your knowledge and understanding of charity accounting and practical examples of IE you have undertaken. 

  Fellows and Associates are required to maintain an active CPD file and will periodically be asked to fill in a CPD declaration form.

• Email admin@acie.org.uk for further details and an application form.
• We offer discount membership rates for Examiners who work on a voluntary basis (that is people who do not earn more than £500 per year from examination work) ("Voluntary Independent Examiners" or "VIEs").
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Annual Membership fees for the year ending 31 March 2026:

Affiliate members: £72 - VIE Affiliates: £41

Full Membership - Associate members: £117 - VIE Associates: £65

Full Membership - Fellows:£195 - VIE Fellows: £106

Annual Membership fees for the year ending 31 March 2025:

Affiliate members: £70 - VIE Affiliates: £40

Full Membership - Associate members: £114 - VIE Associates: £63

Full Membership - Fellows:£190 - VIE Fellows: £103

Everyone joins as an Affiliate in the first instance. Full Membership can only be achieved by passing a qualifying assessment. 

Members are eligible to join the Group Professional Indemnity Insurance Scheme for Members, underwritten by Royal &Sun Alliance Ltd, through Keegan and Pennykid (Insurance Brokers Ltd). Details Here. 

ACIE offers members regular technical updates and a consultancy service. If you are seeking very specific advice about a practical, technical or ethical issue, please email admin@acie.org.uk.