Official accreditation by BDA for the leading consulting firms in business development
What is an Accredited Consulting Firm (ACF™)?
The Accredited Consulting Firm (ACF™) accreditation, offered by the Business Development Association (BDA), honors firms that provide professional consulting services in business development, marketing, or sales. As an accredited entity, your firm will receive international recognition that proves its adherence to strict professional standards aligned with the BDA Body of Competence and Knowledge (BDA BoCK™). This enhances your credibility, increases your competitive edge, and opens the door to strategic global partnerships.
Benefits of ACF Accreditation
1) International Recognition
- Gain official accreditation from a globally recognized body that reinforces client trust and confirms your professionalism.
2) Enhanced Market Reputation
- Showcase your company’s commitment to ethical and professional standards, giving you a clear competitive edge.
3) Official Listing in the BDA Directory
- Your firm will be featured among accredited organizations with a dedicated profile highlighting your services and achievements.
4) Use of the Accreditation Badge
- Receive the ACF accreditation badge to use on your website, reports, and marketing materials.
5) New Partnership Opportunities
- Unlock new collaboration possibilities with local and international entities within the BDA global network.
Eligible candidates for ACF accreditation include:
Consulting firms specializing in business development, marketing, or sales
Firms with a documented track record of successful projects
Entities integrating BDA BoCK™ competencies into their consulting practices
To qualify, the organization must demonstrate a skilled consulting team, tangible client results, and a strong commitment to ethical standards.
ACF Accreditation Evaluation Process
1) Application Submission
- Submit your application via the BDA website along with the required documents (company profile, project portfolio, consultant CVs, client testimonials).
2) Initial Review
- Documents are reviewed to ensure minimum requirements are met. A grace period is provided to complete any missing elements.
3) Comprehensive Evaluation Using BDAAT
Evaluation is based on the following pillars:
-
Alignment with BDA BoCK™ (30%)
-
Project Quality & Client Outcomes (25%)
-
Consultant Team Expertise (20%)
-
Ethics & Professional Practices (15%)
-
Continuous Improvement & Client Satisfaction (10%)
Minimum required: 75/100
4) Optional Site Visit
- If needed, a site visit is arranged to assess the working environment and operations.
5) Evaluation Report (BDAAT Report)
- Includes scores, strengths, improvement areas, and final recommendations.
6) Accreditation Decision
- If scoring 75% or more, the firm receives the certificate and official badge. If not, a 3-month improvement period is granted before reevaluation.
7) Annual Follow-Up
- Accreditation is renewed annually by submitting a performance report and paying the renewal fee.
Evaluation Model – BDAAT
The BDAAT (Business Development Accreditation Assessment Tool) represents the official digital framework used by BDA to evaluate consulting firms applying for ACF accreditation. This tool ensures a fair, objective, and transparent assessment that covers all aspects of consulting performance and compliance with BDA BoCK™ standards.
The assessment is based on five core pillars representing institutional excellence in the consulting sector:
1) Alignment with BDA BoCK™ (30%)
- Analyzing how well the firm integrates BDA BoCK® competencies into its consulting services, including strategic leadership, market analysis, and partnership management.
2) Project Quality and Client Outcomes (25%)
- Measures impact and effectiveness through client satisfaction, measurable achievements, and case studies.
3) Consultant Team Expertise (20%)
- Evaluates the qualifications, experience, and professional certifications of the consulting team.
4) Ethics & Professional Practices (15%)
- Verifies policies around transparency, confidentiality, and ethical conduct.
5) Continuous Improvement & Client Satisfaction (10%)
- Assesses the firm’s commitment to internal improvement, feedback collection, and regular updates to tools and strategies.
Evaluation Table
Criteria | Criteria | Indicators | Score % |
|---|---|---|---|
Alignment with BDA BoCK™ | 30% | Integration of BDA BoCK™ in processes and services | –
|
Project Quality & Client Outcomes | 25% | Measurable results, client satisfaction, case studies | –
|
Consulting Team Expertise | 20% | Consultant qualifications, work experience, certifications | –
|
Ethics & Professional Practices | 15% | Ethical policies, transparency, professional integrity | – |
Continuous Improvement & Feedback | 10% | Internal improvement, client surveys, service innovation | – |
Total Score | 100% | Minimum required: 75/100 | – |
Sample Evaluation
A consulting firm that has integrated 80% of BDA BoCK™ competencies (24/30), delivered outstanding project outcomes (22/25), has a highly experienced team (18/20), follows strong ethical policies (13/15), and consistently monitors client satisfaction (8/10).
Total Score: 85/100 – Accreditation Granted.
ACF Accreditation Fees
ACF accreditation fees are designed to cover all stages of evaluation and ongoing support.
Fee Type | Amount (EUR) |
|---|---|
Initial Accreditation Fee | €3,500
|
Annual Renewal Fee | €1,200 |
Included in the Fees:
Review of documents and projects
Use of the BDAAT tool
Official Accreditation Certificate
Promotional ACF™ badge
Listing in BDA's official directory
Note: Accreditation must be renewed annually to maintain active status, through a performance report and payment of renewal fees.
What is ACF accreditation?
It is an accreditation specifically for consulting firms specialized in business development, proving their alignment with BDA BoCK™ standards.
Who is eligible?
Any firm with documented project experience and a commitment to professional practices.
How long does the process take?
Between 2–4 weeks from the receipt of complete documentation.
Is accreditation permanent?
Renewed annually with a fee and performance report.
Does it cover all of the company’s services?
Only those aligned with BDA BoCK™ and successfully evaluated.
Other Accreditations
Accredited Academic Institution - AAI™
Official accreditation by BDA for leading academic institutions in business development
Accredited Consulting Firm - ACF™
Official accreditation by BDA for the leading consulting firms in business development
Accredited Government Entity - AGE™
Official accreditation by BDA for government entities driving economic development
Accredited Non-Profit Organization - ANPO™
Official accreditation by BDA for nonprofit organizations empowering communities and businesses