FDs back super-body
Majority agrees ACCA's proposed merger with CIPFA and CIMA will help business, reports John Stokdyk.
Just over half of finance directors believe ACCA’s proposed super-body will better serve their needs.
The 51% backing – from FDs belonging to all the UK’s accountancy bodies – for the merger with CIMA and CIPFA, revealed in an exclusive Accountancy Age/Reed Accountancy Personnel The Big Question survey of 267 FDs, is far less than the 71% positive response claimed this week by ACCA. Just under a quarter (24%) of responses were neutral to the association’s bid to merge.
The most decisive responses came from CIPFA members, 58% of whom saw the benefits compared to 42% who did not. ACCA members were more ambivalent, with a 52% to 27% split, while the CIMA vote was 55% to 25%.
Members of the English and Scots ICAs were reasonably comfortable with the arrangement, with 46% for and 27% against. Steven Neville, FD of Milton Keynes-based office equipment company Olivetti Lexicon, said: ‘They have played around for long enough – this one is most likely to happen. It is bound to be a good thing for business.’
The arguments in favour of a unified voice for the profession and administrative economies that would free more funds for services to members convinced Martin Dalby, of Hampshire-based Peverel Management Services. ‘A merger of all accountancy bodies is long overdue,’ said Dalby.
Richard Sharp, finance manager for Kingston University and St George’s Hospital Medical School, said: ‘A unified voice of accountants in business would better tackle the domination of those in practice on professional matters.’