Up to $25k in funding up for grabs in global accounting, finance accelerator

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) and CPA.com are seeking applicants for their joint startup accelerator programme which focuses on accounting, finance and regulatory technology.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (Cima), one of the organisations that formed the association, said in a statement last week that participants of the programme’s third class will qualify for up to $25 000 in funding.

In addition, participants will benefit from access to the senior leadership of both the association and CPA.com, as well as to an advisory group with diverse backgrounds in entrepreneurship, accounting and finance.

Applications for the AICPA and CPA.com joint startup programme will close on 30 November

Cima said programme participants will also gain access to Certified Public Accountants firm leaders and Chartered Global Management Accountants.

Applications close on 30 November and up to five startups will be selected for the programme which starts early next year.

The six-month accelerator programme, which has virtual and in-person components, is open to companies around the world. To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be at seed or pre-Series A stage
• Have a working product or service
• Focused on accounting technology or regulatory technology solutions

Cima said companies that are selected for the cohort will be featured at the AICPA’s Engage2020 conference which take place between 7 to 11 June in Las Vegas in the US.

The cohort will also be featured at the AICPA and CPA.com’s Digital CPA Conference which specialises in accounting technology and practice development topics.

Cima Africa regional VP Tim Simba pointed out in the same statement that the accelerator encourages startups to utilise new technology to transform their business operations.

“Early-stage fintech and edtech companies will also benefit from strategic insights, market access and funding.

“This initiative is a contribution from the association and Cima to encourage innovation and employment creation in Africa,” added Simba.

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