Tax call over accounting 'cowboys'

This week the Montrose group, as they have become known, received the full backing of the former ICAS president Grenville Johnston, who said there was a ‘groundswell of opinion’ in Scotland supporting the campaigners.

Johnston said: ‘It’s a question of whether the government is willing to take this further.’

Seven firms in Montrose have thrown their weight behind a campaign to have the term ‘accountant’ restricted for the use of members of institutes belonging to the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies. They say the move will protect consumers.

Grant Walker of Walker Harris, one of the seven firms, said he was hoping to talk through the issue within a month.

One of the major complaints accountants have is that if they are CCAB qualified and make an error they can be reported by the Inland Revenue to their institute. Non-CCAB accountants are not subject to the same treatment and it is on this issue that discussions with the Revenue will focus.

The consensus among institutes appears to be that restricting use of the term would be almost impossible because of the many services covered by the term.

Links

Sorry, but more on the ‘cowboys’

The cowboys’ horses have already bolted

‘Cowboys’ seek full regulation

Cowboy accountants: About time

Move to round up cowboy accountants