4,000 sign No 10 'accountant' petition

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The ACCA has given its backing to a member who posted a petition onthe Number 10 website calling for legal recognition of the term accountant.

Alan Shooter, an FCCA and FCA who practices in London, made thesubmission because, according to the association, he feelsstrongly about unqualified accountants, tax and financial advisersproviding services to the public and to businesses. The petitionhas attracted over 4,000 signatures.

He said: Lawyers must have professional qualifications, but anyonecan currently provide services calling themselves accountants, taxadvisers or consultants without qualifications. These people needto be regulated.

Shooter said: There is a real groundswell of opinion about thisissue and I am very pleased with how this petition has developed.

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable, encouraged by theACCA, recently tabled an Early Day Motion in the Commons to callfor the term accountant to be legally recognised.

Andrew Harding, ACCA managing director of finance and operations,said: This is a very important issue for ACCA members and studentsalike.