The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) welcomes the debate which proposed that unqualified accountants and tax advisers should have professionally recognised qualifications before they can provide services. The CIOT notes with interest the recent Early Day Motion (EDM) asking for legal protection for the term accountant. The CIOT would go further and include not only accountants but also tax and financial advisers.
Nick Goulding, CIOT President, says: “The time has come to recognise the importance of obtaining professional qualifications in order to provide tax services to both business and the public.”
An e-petition was recently posted on the Downing Street website regarding this issue.
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For press information contact Simon Goldie on 020 7245 4122 (direct line), 07879 497316 (mobile). Email sgoldie@ciot.org.uk
Notes to Editors
e-petition
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to PREVENT UNQUALIFIED ACCOUNTANTS,TAX AND FINANCIAL ADVISORS PROVIDING SERVICES UNLESS THEY HAVE PROFESSIONALLY RECOGNISED QUALIFICATIONS.
EDM
LEGAL PROTECTION FOR THE TERM ACCOUNTANT
"That this House notes that the term `accountant' is not defined or protected by law and that thousands of small businesses and individuals, believing they have engaged qualified accountants, are at risk from harmful and costly business advice from unqualified, unregulated, possibly uninsured advisers; observes that although some unqualified accountants may do good work, an unqualified accountant is not answerable to any regulatory body and so cannot be disciplined; further notes that legal protection of title is viewed as essential in professions where there is a substantial degree of public interest, for example for doctors, barristers, solicitors and auditors; feels that greater accountability needs to be introduced; and urges the Government to consider introducing legal protection for the term `accountant'."
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Simon Goldie
