The Professional Oversight Board (POB), an operating board of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), reports that the accountancy profession membership is still growing but fee income is falling in the ninth edition of Key Facts and Trends in the Accountancy Profession published today

This brings together in one place a range of information from the major audit firms and seven accountancy bodies including those who can register and supervise audit firms. The ninth edition reflects this information up to 31st December 2010.

Paul George, Director of Auditing and the Oversight Board, said:

“Key Facts and Trends includes information from a number of different sources. Taken together this information illustrates the size and shape of the accountancy profession and gives the context within which POB operates and oversees the regulation of the profession.

Despite the difficult economic conditions, the profession remains attractive with the overall number of members and students continuing to increase both in the UK and Republic of Ireland and worldwide. However, the economic downturn, in overall terms, is reflected in both the total fee income and audit fee income of registered audit firms.”

Key Facts and Trends in the Accountancy Profession is available at: http://www.frc.org.uk/pob/publications/pub2592.html .