This interview is part of the Mediterranean Voices series, a new communication initiative of Federation of Mediterranean Certified Accountants (FCM).
The objective of this series is to:
Today, with Dr. Nevin Güneş, Board Member of Expert Accountants' Association of Türkiye (EAAT), Türkiye.
Please briefly introduce yourself.
My name is Nevin Güneş, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Independent Auditor with over 20 years of professional experience covering accounting, payroll, tax consultancy and financial reporting, providing in-depth guidance on IFRS/TFRS compliance and implementation for businesses of various scales. I am a founding partner of Margin Accounting&Tax, an Istanbul-based firm providing outsourcing services. As Chair of the International Relations Committee of the Istanbul Chamber of Certified Public Accountants of Türkiye, I actively contributed to strengthening global visibility, fostering international cooperation, and promoting the exchange of best practices.
Currently, I serve as a Board Member of the Expert Accountants' Association of Türkiye (EAAT), a founding partner of IFAC. I focus on amplifying the voice of our members, advancing professional education, building international bridges, and mentoring young professionals here. In addition, I lead EAAT’s communication and relations with IFAC, further strengthening the profession’s global engagement, while representing the association in numerous international congresses, conferences and meetings.
How would you describe your organization’s role within the accountancy profession and the Mediterranean community?
EAAT has played a pivotal role, with its strong leadership team, in shaping the accountancy profession in Türkiye and contributing to the Mediterranean community. Since its establishment in 1942, the association has been at the forefront of advancing the profession nationally by drafting law proposals, introducing internship and examination requirements, adopting a selective membership system based on rigorous examinations and organizing the first accounting congresses in the country, thereby strengthening its legal, institutional, and educational foundations. Internationally, EAAT has ensured Türkiye’s integration into the global accountancy community by becoming a founding member of IFAC in 1977, joining the IASC, and later affiliating with FCM and IAAER. These milestones not only amplified Türkiye’s voice in international platforms but also reinforced Mediterranean solidarity within the profession. Through its initiatives, EAAT has consistently promoted professionalism, ethics, and knowledge exchange, serving as both a guardian of national standards and a bridge between Türkiye, the Mediterranean, and the wider global profession.
We offer our members not only research, publications, congresses and professional events, but also up-to-date briefings and guidance that help them navigate changes in legislation and standards. In an environment shaped by digitalisation, sustainability and globalisation, EAAT acts as both a knowledge hub and an advocacy platform through dialogue among professionals, regulators, academia and the business community.
Our vision is to make the profession more visible, respected, and influential at both regional and global levels, while inspiring and preparing future accountants — particularly young professionals — to thrive in a profession that balances technical excellence with adaptability and integrity.
EAAT headquarters
In your view, what are the main challenges and opportunities currently facing the accountancy profession?
The accountancy profession is undergoing a profound transformation. Rapid digitalisation, the rise of artificial intelligence, increasingly complex regulatory demands, and the growing focus on ESG and sustainability reporting pose major challenges. These trends underline the urgent need for continuous professional training, stronger ethical safeguards, closer global alignment, and renewed efforts to attract new generations into the profession while maintaining public trust.
At the same time, they open unprecedented opportunities. Accountants are no longer seen only as guardians of compliance, but also as strategic advisors, catalysts of digital and financial transformation, and stewards of sustainability assurance. By embracing this shift with integrity and resilience, our profession can reinforce its relevance, inspire future talent, and deliver greater value to both business and society.
How is your organization preparing its members for technological developments such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, and ESG?
At EAAT, we see technological developments as an opportunity to shape the future of the profession. As an institution authorized by Türkiye’s Public Oversight Accounting and Auditing Standards Authority (KGK), we support our members through training and events on digitalisation, e-applications, digital accounting systems, and ESG reporting. We place digital readiness and lifelong learning at the core of our strategy, while also building close collaborations with regulators, academia, and the business community to ensure our efforts have a practical impact. We highlight this vision through initiatives such as the upcoming Congress in Gaziantep on 5–7 December 2025, “Future of the Accounting Profession: From Artificial Intelligence to Space Accounting.” Through this and all our previous congresses, EAAT has positioned itself not only as a supporter of its members but also as a thought leader shaping the future of the profession.
İzmir Congress
What is the accountant's role in fostering economic and social sustainability today and in the future?
Accountants are pivotal in advancing economic and social sustainability, both today and in the future. By ensuring accurate and transparent reporting, they build trust in markets and guide businesses in sustainable finance and risk management. Through ESG reporting, they make environmental and social impacts visible, while their ethical values and focus on the public interest strengthen society. Looking ahead, accountants will play an increasingly strategic advisory role — driving digital transformation, supporting sustainability goals, and ensuring alignment with international standards to foster resilient businesses and cohesive communities.
What does being part of FCM mean to you and your organization?
Being part of the Fédération des Experts Comptables Méditerranéens (FCM) is not only an honour but also a responsibility. For EAAT, it signifies belonging to a professional family united by common values, shared challenges, and collective aspirations. At the same time, it gives us the opportunity to ensure that Türkiye’s voice is heard within the Mediterranean and global accountancy agenda. Above all, FCM embodies solidarity and inspiration, reinforcing our belief that by working together across cultures and jurisdictions, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone.
What benefits would you highlight from participating in the FCM network?
Through FCM, we gain significant value in three ways:
• Collaboration: Engaging with peers across borders on shared priorities such as sustainability, digitalisation, and capacity building.
• Visibility and Influence: Providing a platform to present Türkiye’s perspective, contribute to European and international discussions, and strengthen the Mediterranean’s collective voice in the global profession.
• Solidarity and Inspiration: Nurturing a sense of belonging to a diverse network, where progress is measured by collective advancement, and where young professionals and women in leadership also find encouragement and support.
Istanbul
Is there a specific topic you would like to see FCM focus on more strongly in the coming years?
Looking ahead, we believe FCM can make an even greater contribution by focusing on three strategic areas:
1. Guidance on ESG reporting and assurance, supporting members in aligning with new EU and global requirements.
2. Support for small and medium-sized practices in adopting digital tools, recognising that these firms form the backbone of our profession throughout the region.
3. Talent development and inclusiveness, with specific initiatives for young professionals and women leaders, ensuring that our profession remains attractive, diverse, and resilient for the future.
Beyond your professional responsibilities, what hobbies or personal interests do you enjoy?
Beyond my professional responsibilities, I enjoy chess, which sharpens strategic thinking and discipline; traveling, which broadens my horizons; and reading biographies and non-fiction, which offer inspiration through human stories and knowledge. Spending time with my family and being in nature bring me balance, peace, and renewed energy. These interests not only enrich my personal growth but also constantly remind me of the diversity, resilience, and human-centered perspective at the heart of our profession.
If you could choose one Mediterranean destination for a short getaway, which one would it be — and why?
If I could choose one Mediterranean destination for a short getaway, without hesitation I would say Istanbul. For me, Istanbul is not merely a city but the very essence of the Mediterranean spirit. With its history, it connects the past with the future; with its cultural diversity, it embraces different identities; and with its natural beauty, it inspires all who visit. Standing at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, this unique city symbolizes the shared heritage that unites our Mediterranean community. For me personally, Istanbul is also a place of inspiration — where tradition and modernity meet in harmony, reminding us that the true strength of the Mediterranean lies in its diversity and unity.
What message would you like to share with your fellow professionals and the wider FCM community?
The accounting profession is evolving rapidly, but our compass remains unchanged: integrity, transparency, and service to the public interest. Today, accountants are called not only to safeguard financial reporting but also to foster sustainable growth, ethical governance, and public trust. For me, FCM is more than a federation — it is a community where diversity is celebrated, knowledge is shared, and solidarity is strengthened. Together, let us transform the Mediterranean from being merely a geography into a hub of professional excellence, collaboration, and unity that elevates the reputation and impact of our profession.
Istambul
