Can I trade?

Can I trade?

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i have an HND in Accountancy and have 14 years experience working with accountancy firms. My experience ranges from Sole trader to Limited company accounts, CT600, Tax Returns, CIS, Vat, payroll, Inland Revenue filling, etc. I am also A CAT. I am also registered with inland Revenue as an agent. I am also in the process of registering with the Inland Revenue for MLR

I do not wish to do any more exams, My question is this, without a practice certificate, am I breaking any laws by offering my services as an Accountancy Service Provider?
Is there any restriction or limits to what services I can provide. eg can i prepare and sign a set of Limited company accounts?

The ACCA said to me that I can't offer my services while I am a menber with them, so I do not use CAT, and I am no longer registered with the ACCA.

This is such a grey area, some say I can do this some say I can't offer more than book keeping service others say that with my knowledge and experience I can.

Please help.

Thank you.

Jo
Jo

Replies (6)

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By AnonymousUser
06th Sep 2008 14:30

You Can Do It!!!!
Hi Jo,
Yes everything from carrier bag sole traders to Limited companies with turnovers below the audit threshold. I have 22 years experience and constantly source help and advice on any grey area. You may get alot of stick comments from 'qualifieds' but they too make mistakes, I have recently took on a client from a 'qualified accountant' with a £18000 error on a balance sheet, interest not stated on a loan in the p&l, freely admitted as a mistake and no accruals and prepayments, complete mess. So yeah you go ahead but I agree with the PI comment

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By User deleted
05th Sep 2008 21:37

.
Bet He/She can spell though - hey facety bwoy!

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By pawncob
05th Sep 2008 18:12

qlalified
The fact that you have to ask this question is proof that you don't have sufficient experience in accountancy/company law to trade.
Apart from Auditing you can do almost anything, but whether you are proficient at it is a different matter.

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By User deleted
05th Sep 2008 17:57

Can I trade?
Many thanks for the advice.

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By AnonymousUser
04th Sep 2008 20:48

Accountant
Hi
Yes you can.
Anyone can call themselves an accountant whether qualified or not. Anyone can produce Ltd Co accounts. You cannot do Audit work as this has to be done by a Registered Auditor.

There is nothing legal stopping you, as long as you are registered for MLR, which you say you are.

Good luck :)

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By neileg
05th Sep 2008 12:13

I agree
There's no legal barrier to practicing and there are people with a lot less experience out there doing just that.

You would be advised to get PI cover. I beleieve this is one of the reasons that many unqualifieds go with the ICPA.

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