I'm probably letting this annoy me far much more than I should, and the fact I may have lost a potential client to them annoyed me more, hence the passion behind my annoyance...
But someone posted this on the community facebook page today:
I am a qualified accountant to aat level 2 standard. I am also studying computer science at degree level along side my day job as an MI analyst.
Any I.T problems or general help with accounts drop me a message. I won't charge much and if I can't fix it I wont charge.
Now I want someone to tell me to get of my high horse and just grow up, but something inside me tells me no! I know 'accountant' isn't protected and anyone can call themselves it, but its the aat level 2 standard that's getting me... surely he cant offer any services under the AAT banner if he doesn't have a practising certificate which, correct me if im wrong, you can't get till level 4?
Should he be reported or just leave well alone and carry on and take a 'man the f***-up pill'? LOL
just to rub salt into that do you think that they've got MLR cover?
AAT people are allowed to offer services to the public before achieving MAAT status BUT, they can make no mention of any affiliation to the AAT so he fall down on that one straight away.
As a student (as that is all that you are at level II) he is still bound by the IFAC code of ethics for financial professionals and the post is in direct contravention of Section 250 on marketing professional services where one must not be misleading, disparaging of other practices or make unfounded claims of the superiority of one's own services.
Tell me that someone with no knowledge of this business reading what he has written would not be mislead as to their level of qualification?
Regardless as to whether this person is in the wrong or not though, The unfortunate truth is that its not a level playing field out there where qualified accountants cannot offer their services to the public beyond trial balance but someone with no knowledge or experience can.
Have you ever noticed as well that when newspapers report the unqualified or underqualified party whose stolen something or caused some major catastrophe, they are ALWAYS put accross as being an accountant regardless as to whether that person has ever passed an exam or if they have making no distinction as to who that exam was passed with or to what level.
As to whether you report him. I can't make that decision for you.
I tend to run my business by the rules of the playground where you sort it out yourself rather than go telling teacher.
But, if you do go down that path I would not blame you as whether the issue is with this person or this is just the one that broke the camels back, the whole system of who is allowed to act in the capacity of an accountant is messed up.
The above is not anti anyone, I'm not saying that there are not people calling themselves bookkeepers out there who are really accountants and do a damn good job at it. I am saying that there are unqualified and underqualified offering services beyond what their professional bodies allow them to (and thats when they have a professional body).
AAT level II is bookkeeping, they are not qualified accountants and should not be misleading people that they are.
kind regards,
Shaun.
-- Edited by Shamus on Sunday 7th of July 2019 03:56:19 PM
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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.
You cant get a practice licence under AAT without level 4 and 1 years experience (FTE) signed off. Even if he/she has MLR cover with HMRC he/she shouldnt be using AAT in advertising!
