Check Your Accountant is “Qualified”

accountantWatch out

Anyone can call themselves an Accountant and many do! Accountant is not a legally protected term. This means they are more than a few people working and calling themselves accountants. These people have not passed relevant accountancy examinations, are not regulated and are not required to undertake any Continuing Professional Development. This means they are not best placed to handle your financial affairs. Furthermore, they may also have impressive looking initials after their name -do not be fooled by these. These initials are gained by completing a simple form, providing two references and paying a membership fee.

Please do not accept a person as an Accountant without checking their credentials.

Right Person (Accountant)

Accountants that are appropriately qualified to act for you include:

  • Chartered Accountant – ACA or FCA – Member or Fellow of the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales).
  • Chartered Accountant – CA – Member of ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland)
  • Chartered Management Accountant – ACMA or FCMA – Member of CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants)

Before employing an Accountant belonging to anyone of the above bodies, please call the body to confirm if he/she is a member of the body.


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One Response to “Check Your Accountant is “Qualified””

  1. Southside Accountants » Blog Archive » Do you need to complete a tax return? says on :

    [...] You do not need an accountant to complete a tax return. However, to ensure that you pay the minimum amount of tax within the law, it would be best to employ an accountant. http://www.southsideaccountants.co.uk/diary/2009/11/17/check-your-accountant-is-qualified/ [...]

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