You Can Trust Accountants!

Edleman DXI found that 83% of those surveyed trust Chartered Accountants to do the right thing.

Despite the climate of economic uncertainty, digital disruption and eroding institutional confidence, Chartered Accountants are recognised by finance and business decision makes as one of the world’s most trusted professions.

The fifth Trust Survey, conducted by Edleman DXI for Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW) put chartered accountants third in the table for trust, just behind doctors and engineers.

Interestingly (well to us!), trust in the “accountancy” profession overall has declined by three points since 2023, however trust in Chartered Accountants remains steady, creating a record 5-point gap that reinforces the value of the Chartered Accountancy designation.

Edleman DXI found that 83% of those surveyed trust Chartered Accountants to do the right thing. Doctors and engineers scored 85%. Lawyers scored 64% and journalists 48%. Bottom of the pile was politicians on 36%.

Accountants, the non-chartered type, had a trust score of 78% and auditors 73%.

Chartered Accountancy professional bodies also scored well – they are on 83%. Five years ago that score was just 71%!

“At a time of eroding trust in institutions, Chartered Accountants are bucking the trend,” said Ainslie van Onselen, Chair of Chartered Accountants Worldwide. “In a world shaped by AI, disinformation, and rising demand for accountability, our profession is standing tall – not just for technical excellence, but as guardians of trusted data and ethical leadership.”