As you look for an accountant to help you with your company’s bookkeeping you will see that the fees on offer vary quite a lot. However, as in most walks of life you get what you pay for. The fees that chartered accountants charge will probably be a lot higher than others, but they will probably offer you a more complete service. It is possible for anybody to set up a practice as an accountant, and remain within the law.
A chartered accountant is one who has studied the subject to such an extent that they have managed to pass the entrance exam to their professional Institute. With this membership, they are obliged to maintain certain standards, and fulfill certain responsibilities. They are also subject to strict monitoring to ensure the standards are upheld. To further safeguard their work, and your company, they will carry indemnity insurance.
If, due to budget restraints, you decide to hire a certified accountant because they charge lower fees, there is a chance that the services that they can provide you will not be adequate. This will mean that you will have to pay more in the long term. The main reason for this is that they will not have the rights to satisfy some of the legal requirements necessary for your business.
One of the major differences between accountants who are, and who are not, chartered members of the Institute is that they cannot legally sign your annual accounts, and other documents required by law. A great many commercial financial institutions also do not accept a non-chartered members signature.
There is a great similarity in the courses that are taken by certified accountants and those taken by their chartered counterparts, and some will try to convince you that they can complete the tasks you require equally as well. The fact that the course was the same is irrelevant, unless they are chartered, they have not passed the entrance exam required and therefore, will probably not be able to complete the tasks you require of them. You would have to hire the services of a chartered member just for their signature on your books.
The main task of a chartered accountant is to generate financial records that are both accurate and reliable. They will normally be found working inside a corporate structure, creating reports that satisfy auditors and the government’s taxation services. Another major task of theirs is to advise companies on financial strategies.
When finally selecting the accountant that you need, make sure you fully understand the qualifications and certifications they hold. They must be in a position where they can adequately complete the tasks that you will need them to do. Inevitably you will find that a chartered accountant will charge more than a certified or technician accountant. Nevertheless, you will find that the package that they offer will be greater and offer a much higher standard of work.
Discover the difference between Accountants and Chartered Accountants now in our super overview of top accountants London and everything you need to know about exactly how and where to find the best London Accountants