Why Use a Chartered Accountant?

Legally, anyone can call themselves an ‘accountant’ without the necessary training and experience. Before becoming a ‘chartered accountant’ and using the designatory letters ACA or FCA, our members must:

• undertake a period of at least three years training with an organisation that is authorised by the Institute; and
• pass tough examinations embracing financial management, auditing, business strategy, taxation and IT.

This training and experience also ensures that chartered accountants develop communication skills, business awareness and professional judgement.

We expect our members to maintain high standards of ethical and professional conduct. Our Practice Assurance scheme gives members in practice a framework of quality assurance principles to help them assess and develop their own practices. It demonstrates their commitment to upholding and developing professional standards.

All members must comply with the Institute’s scheme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), ensuring that their knowledge and skills are kept up to date. They must also follow to the Institute’s bye-laws, regulations, standards, and Code of Ethics.

Chartered accountants who offer accountancy services to the public must have professional indemnity insurance in case clients make a claim arising from their professional work. The Institute has a complaints procedure so that any dispute can be properly investigated.

Knowing that our members have undertaken a tough training regime and have rules to follow, and a reputation to live up to, you know that you can rely on the advice you get from a chartered accountant.