Regulation of the profession

System
System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
edited June 18 in AAT member discussion
With all the current talk about restricting the term "Accountant" to "qualified people" - which at this stage (if you read Accounting Web & Accountancy Age) seems to be only members of CCAB bodies, have AAT members in practice thought about the affect on their business / professional standing.
The newly appointed CEO of the ICAEW is already pushing forward the idea of restricting the title Accountant.
This has already occurred in Ireland.
Do the AAT members in practice need to lobby AAT to ensure their interests are protected and to ensure that AAT members can still call themselves Accountants if legislation does happen on this.

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Regulation of the profession

    Personally I don't think it would make much difference to my business if I wasn't allowed to call myself an accountant, I just hope that if the title is restricted then we're told what we can call ourselves!
    Do you think they'll come up with a new name for us or will we just have to be 'Accounting Technicians'?

    You'd have thought there were more pressing issues to deal with than this wouldn't you? what do you think the punishment will be for someone who doesn't comply?!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Regulation of the profession

    I struggle with this one. If I tell my clients that I am an accountanting technician, they have no idea what that means but I shirk from saying 'accountant' as I don't feel that I am one. And I hate saying part qualified as I am fully qualified!!

    Sharon
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Regulation of the profession

    That's exactly how I feel! I ususally say 'I am an accountant, but not a chartered accountant or certified accountant' and that seems enough of an explanation for most people.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Regulation of the profession

    If they do restrict the term then I would imagine AAT qualifieds would still be termed "Accounting Technicians" because that's what we are:- members of "Association of Accounting Technicians" as certified accountants are "Associate Chartered Certified Accountants".

    I know ACCA have jumped on the bandwagon to restrict the term and I imagine AAT have kept quiet because they have a unique classification anyway. I can't think of how they could alter the AAT's (already high) profile and status.

    In terms of punishment for using a restricted term - I am not entirely sure how they would police such legislation. The various institutes may impose fines or other disciplinary proceedings (as they do now if you claim to be a member of an Institute when you aren't). Who knows? Maybe someone has contacts with an Irish counterpart who could shed some light on it.

    Regards
    Steve

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