The importance of using a Qualified Accountant

As a chartered and certified accountant I often have to defend the reasons why I believe people should seek advice and representation from a qualified accountant.

Only by using a qualified accountant registered with a professional body such as the ICAEW or ACCA can people be certain they are receiving advice from a professional.

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Unlike a doctor or solicitor, anyone can call themselves an accountant and it would be impossible to know the level of their knowledge, training and experience. If the accountant gets something wrong, it will be their client who gets in trouble and this can result in HMRC imposing fines and penalties. Only by using a qualified accountant registered with a professional body such as the ICAEW or ACCA can people be certain they are receiving advice from a professional who must:

• Have received at least three years training with an approved training organisation.
• Have sat and passed a wide range of exams encompassing accounting, taxation, audit and financial management to name just a few.
• Learn about and maintain impeccable standards in ethics and professional conduct.
• Comply with ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in order to ensure their knowledge and skills are kept up to date in an ever changing environment.
• Have professional indemnity insurance if they offer services to the public providing an additional layer of protection.

This training and the continuing support from their professional bodies means people can rely upon the advice provided by such a person.

With the continued development and use of cloud computing packages people have access to an even greater number of qualified accountants as geographical proximity is no longer a necessity.

Emily Ness FCCA ACA