For accountants - qualified but no longer a member

[Maslins]

This question follows on from the part qualified thread, in particular my interest was sparked by a comment from Elaine here...

What can someone call themself if they passed all (for argument's sake ACA) exams, completed their 3 years training, signed up as a formal member, was a member for many years, then decided they got no real benefit hence didn't pay their fees and let their membership lapse.

Ok, so I presume it's a certainty that they cannot call themselves a member of the institute of chartered accountants, but can they still call themselves:

a chartered accountant?

ACA qualified?

a qualified accountant?

if not, can they say they "qualified as a chartered accountant in 19XX" without mentioning that they no longer are qualified?

Doesn't apply to me, but does to someone fairly close to me and am intrigued as to people's thoughts.

 

[Bill Ryan]

I think each professional body will have a rule on just this point. This one is not for general forum opinions.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

I assume they just become 'accountants' it is my understanding that once you have resigned a membership that you can no longer use the title of Chartered/Certified Accountant or the letters after your name. Its one of the 'benefits' of paying your subs!

I once took on a client from an accountant who used to be an FCCA like myself and had resigned his membership - on his letterhead he described his firm as 'accountants' and had a footer stating 'former members of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants'

 

[GeorgeM]

The chartered status goes with the body that is chartered, so you can normally only describe yourself as 'chartered' if you are a fully paid up member of the relevant body.

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

can't call themselves Chartered

can call themselves an accountant as anyone cal cal themselves that!

I have to say that if they are still in practice but no paying fees I would call them 'crazy' - why do all that hard work for nothing

They could re-apply

 

[Maslins]

I have to say that if they are still in practice but no paying fees I would call them 'crazy' - why do all that hard work for nothing

They could re-apply

Situation (for this specific scenario) is a middle aged woman, was fairly careery until had kids. Spent last ~20 years working in same job (accountant in small practice, but "just" employee, not partner), initially part time, then increasingly full time as kids left home.

~10 years ago decided with employer's agreement that none of their clients would care if she was no longer a member, and wasn't like she needed it for CV so combination of fees & CPD persuaded her to give it up.

Situation workwise has since changed. Don't think she really wants the hassle of trying to rejoin, so basically she's wondering whether she can still call herself a "qualified accountant" and/or if she can say she "qualified as a chartered accountant in 19XX".

My views are not sure re: calling herself a qualified accountant, but didn't see any reason why she can't say she "qualified in 19XX" in the same way if you buy something last year, then sell it this year, even though you no longer own it, you still did buy it last year (stupid analogy but can't think of a better one!)

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

I'd suggest she gives the professional body she belonged to a quick call to clarify.

Personally I'd suggest she reconsiders joining again - it will have many advantages to her.

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

I agree with Nicola. If it is the ICAEW I have the phone number of a great guy there who may be able to help.

I think I am struggling here to understand why she gave it up / doesn't want to re-apply.

Just my view but given the pain of getting this qualification in the first place and the opportunities it has given me in my career and life, it would take a major event for me to chuck it in

 

[englishbob]

I was an FCCA - but throw it in several years ago. Why - because I found the annual fees and CPD to be a burden that did not cover the 'rewards' from continuing to hold the qualification. Especially as I no longer worked as an accountant having migrated into IT consultancy and systems development/installation.

Consider myself still to be an accountant - you cannot remove the years of training and experience that easily.

As for title - I always say accountant, was qualified, but resigned as no longer relevent. So - the full truth.

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

Especially as I no longer worked as an accountant having migrated into IT consultancy and systems development/installation.

I understood that the person in question was still in the accounting profession - I stand corrected if I have misread.

 

[Maslins]

I understood that the person in question was still in the accounting profession - I stand corrected if I have misread.

Yes, was still an accountant, but doing v small fry stuff behind the scenes for someone else.

I don't think she'll be keen to (try to) reregister, especially if it involved any further testing. She's borderline retirement age now, just isn't sure what she can call herself! :|