Hi guys
For a sunday eve for all you kind people whos feedback is fully appreciated, i was wondering if anyone is a member of Acie?
Im Acca member n looking into applying for my practising cert however have to have a continuity agreement which i cant seem to find anyone who is willing to do for me.
Ive been thnking hard, and i want to specialise in the voluntary sector. I have worked in the vol sector and have experience of independent examinations and audits and was thnking maybe it will be a better option to register with ACIE and resign from ACCA. Its a really big decision but ACCA although ive worked so hard and taken a salary cut to get my experience, are making me jump through hoops. I thoroughly understand the reasons for continuity agreement, however even to recognise my work experience in the vol sector has been a nightmare as my senior isnt a qualified accountant, and the external accountants refused to sign the pctr without even considering it or looking at it.
I want ti specialise in charity accounts (not audits) so am really thinking hard.
Any advise would be a great relief n help
Thanks in advance
I would go carefully into this as isn't this a case that you need to be a member of another professional body in order to be a member of this organisation so they may expect you to be ACCA as well rather than instead of (similar to the arrangement between the ICAEW and ACCA where one has to have dual memberships in order to be a chartered is one came up through chartered certified... A route which I believe the ICAEW has now closed).
If your issue is with gaining the ACCA practice certificate what about IFA? You would be able to move over as an AFA.
Currently I'm both but know that there will come a time that if regulation 8 doesn't change I too am going to have to make that hard decision after suffering similar income reductions to gain the qualification.
Give the ACIE a call and see what their criteria is as I could be completely wrong in my belief that it's an add on qualification rather than a replacement.
General advice has to be just be careful what you give up in an attempt to move forwards. Personally I would try to have an all round practice certificate rather than a specialisation.
kind regads and fully appreciating the difficult decision that you are facing,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Thanks Shaun
Yes, ICAEW are withdrawing the dual members route as of 31st Dec. i appreciate your feedback and really am confused and thinking hard. I feel disheartened that i am even in a situation considering to give up the ACCA which i really font want to do, aswell as having worked extremely hard. If the external accountants wanted to sign off my pctr they could, it clearly states in the rule book that they can. I will keep thinking Shaun, are you a member of ACCA and IFA? Might be made redundant soon so it really is a stressful time.
Lets see what happens. Take care
I'm a Dip FA level member of the IFA with a practicing certificate and a student member of the ACCA with one paper to go. I have five years signed off experience so more than enough for membership but still do not feel that I will be able to get past the two years post qualification as even though I could work in a practice (see next paragraph) single parenting doesn't mix with working for rather than with others..
On the PQ in practice bit I'm lucky enough to work with a very accommodating chartered practice who keep me on the right side of ACCA regulation 8 (even though they keep taking the proverbial for me ONLY being ACCA so not a real accountant... They do say that tongue in cheek... I think!).
I'm trying to get to a stage where I become an ACCA member and stay IFA then when my boy goes to Uni in four years I can take a more serious look at doing my two years in practice in order to get the ACCA practicing certificate.
My issue there though is going to be that after 26 years running my own business how am I going to be working for someone else.
Why do I feel that I should come with a little warning sticker that says "Does not play well with others".
Fingers crossed that you don't get made redundant but if the worst happens your experience and those letters will be your best safety net so don't throw them away,
talk soon,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
What a lovely message. I fully understand, i too am a single parent so currently working school hours and want to continue to do so, as time with my son comes first and it isnt always possible to have someone to rely on. I studies ACCA while my boy was young, working in the day, time with my son in the eve and my nights to study. This was te committment, i will think very hard. And will let u know on any progress
Regards
Ps other option is as everyone is doing, open limited company in someone elses name ie family member and run the practise as an employee. Therefore no breaches as wont b the director of the practise. Hope you have a lovely day. I
