The Cyprus Compliance Association (CCA) marks two years since its establishment, reflecting on why it was created and what has been built so far for the governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) community in Cyprus.
From the outset, the Association was founded with a clear intention: to create a professional home for compliance practitioners — a space that goes beyond titles and theory and focuses on real‑life challenges, practical insight, and open dialogue. In a profession that is constantly evolving and often under pressure, the aim was to bring professionals together in a supportive environment where experience, knowledge, and perspectives could be exchanged meaningfully.
The objective was never simply to establish another association. It was to build something of substance — grounded in practice, collaboration, and credibility. Over the past two years, this vision has steadily translated into action.
A key pillar of this development has been the CCA’s growing relationship with the International Compliance Association (ICA), a globally recognised leader in compliance education. Through this collaboration, CCA members automatically benefit from ICA membership, gaining access to internationally recognised resources, learning tools, and professional development opportunities.
Importantly, as part of this strengthened partnership, CCA members are now able to benefit from a 30% discount on ICA courses, providing access to globally recognised qualifications at a significantly more competitive rate. This development reflects CCA’s commitment to making high-quality compliance education more accessible to professionals and organisations in Cyprus.
One of the earliest and most important milestones was the formalisation of cooperation through strategic Memoranda of Understanding, reflecting CCA’s commitment to collaboration and shared purpose with key stakeholders across the compliance and governance ecosystem. These partnerships were never about formality alone, but about strengthening knowledge exchange, professional standards, and long‑term value for the community.
To date, the Cyprus Compliance Association has signed Memoranda of Understanding with:
- Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI)
- Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus (ICPAC)
- Cyprus Organisation for Standardisation (CYS)
- CFA Society Cyprus (CFA)
- Cyprus Integrity Forum (CIF)
Alongside these partnerships, CCA has actively engaged with key regulatory and institutional stakeholders in Cyprus, including the Financial Intelligence Unit, CySEC, the Central Bank of Cyprus, and international partners such as the U.S. Embassy and the UK High Commission, reinforcing its role as a platform for dialogue, cooperation, and knowledge exchange across both the public and private sectors.
Learning and professional engagement have remained central to CCA’s mission. Over the two‑year period, the CCA organised a broad programme of webinars, seminars, and conferences addressing regulatory developments, AML and sanctions risks, and wider governance challenges. These activities were delivered in cooperation with key domestic and international partners, including professional bodies and industry associations, as well as international stakeholders, and organisations across the financial and business community.
Key moments during this period included the CCA’s official Launch Event in April 2024, as well as the holding of its first Annual General Meeting in November 2025, which brought together members, partners, and international representatives to review progress, reflect on achievements, and discuss strategic priorities for the future. The AGM marked an important step in CCA’s development and reinforced its role as a unifying platform for the compliance profession in Cyprus.
Alongside the steady growth of its individual membership base, CCA has also expanded to include corporate membership packages, reflecting increasing engagement from firms, institutions, and organisations active across the GRC landscape. This development marks an important stage in CCA’s evolution, strengthening its role as a bridge between individual professionals and the institutions they represent. The introduction of corporate membership packages reflects growing engagement from firms and institutions across the GRC landscape, providing organisations with access to training, knowledge-sharing, and tailored opportunities for employee development.
At the same time, CCA has placed strong emphasis on building a community-driven approach. Members are encouraged to actively contribute their perspectives, with recent examples including member-led input on draft legislative developments. The upcoming establishment of subcommittees will further enable members to engage more directly and contribute to shaping the profession.
Andrea Moundi, the CCAs’ Chairperson has commented that, “What makes these two years truly meaningful is not only the milestones achieved, but the people behind them — the speakers who shared their expertise, the professionals who actively engaged, the partners who believed in the vision from the outset and the entire community which has embraced the CCA community. We are thankful to every single person for their support.”
Marios Skandalis, the Honorary president of the CCA commented that, “Reaching the two‑year anniversary feels less like a celebration of time passed and more like a moment of reflection and gratitude. There is pride in what has been built so far, appreciation for the trust shown by the community, and strong motivation to continue contributing something of lasting value.”
This journey is far from over. If anything, the first two years have laid solid foundations for what comes next.
The Cyprus Compliance Association thanks everyone who has been part of this journey so far — and those who will continue shaping it in the years ahead.
