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Meaning of letters after name
A friend`s accountant uses the following letters after his name: FCA (Com), FCPA, AFF, SWW. Does anyone know what any of them mean? The ICAEW says he is not a member.Arnold Smith
Number of comments: 9
AccountingWEB.co.uk 3-Oct-2006
Categories: HR/Legal, Any Answers, Business, Practice
Times read: 9645
Thanks everybody. Very helpful. Sorry about the double posting; I thought I had pressed the "Stop" button quickly enough, but obviously hadn't.
Gareth, do you mean the ACCOUNTESS? He has disappeared for awhile for some good acts he has committed in the past in this forum. I am sure he is still watching this forum from a different angle very clearly and would make a come back soon having incarnated into another legitimate wonderful knowledgeable creature to advise us. Just be patient.
So you see, Alan, the "underqualifieds" get pretty hardworking at getting qualified with multiple qualifications "not recognised", which is unnecessary. The problem arose with some Malaysians is that they thought their "unrecognised" membership qualifications could be recognised soon as there were talks about the "merging" of all non-chartered bodies (AIA, IComA, ICEA, IFA.....) in the UK at one time. In the '90s, there were talks that "negotiations" would be carried out to get the then ACEA (now ICEA) recognised by the MIA. So is the case of AIA. IFA members can be allowed direct admission to ACEA. They only need to sit the "fellowship" exam of the ACEA to become "fellows".
For Arnold, FCPA - Fellow CPA Ireland or Fellow CPA Australia. There is MRA established between the two providing a degree is obtained.
Arnold could have told us where he saw AFF, SWW and FCA (Com) from. Then, we could have a better idea of what it should actually stands for. For instance, in Malaysia, please learn that there are TWO MIAs. One - Malaysian Institute of Art and the other Malaysian Institute of Accountants.
To some jokers following my trail, please be informed that I do not intend to join AIA.
why not ask the "accountant"?
It was only a gentle dig, but someone obviously took HUGE offence as the post has disappeared - other than your copy.
Still "am I bovvered?" no not desperately
EDIT - oops now who's being thin skinned. It hasn't gone, there are two versions one with the correct spelling in teh title & the other with a typo.
I'll get me coat.....
FCA (Com) is almost certainly the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Commonwealth, a body which, so far as I am aware has no professional standing at all.
FCPA is probably the institute of Certified Practising Accountants. This is not a professional body, but a trade association. Anyone can join if they pay the fees.
AFF is probably short for affiliate.
SWW - no idea!
No need to be Malaysian AIA or New Yorker CPA to provide information, Alan.
The Malaysian AIA knew more than Britishmen because they are highly qualified with a long string of letters after their names. True to say Malaysian AIA members knew better.
Have you heard of John Coulson, Alan Webb?
Alan Webb , 3rd-October
I expect one of our Malaysian chums will be able to assist
They know all about letters. ;)
Google is no help - as no doubt you have already found - other than to turn up some very odd possibles for AFF & SWW.
Dear All
I understand they are all involved with a UK organisation in the North West
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Commonwealth is one of these, it was I understand registered as a company in New Zealand. Not certain if such a qualification has any credibility, not certain how much it is to join.
FCPA , think they changed the name from Certified Public Accountants to Certified Prectising Accountants, due to the confusion with the USA based CPA.
Not certain of the others, presume they are out of the same stable.
Best Wishes
John
I googled a few of them and found a few hits. FCPA seems to be a US qual. Possibly a bit more highbrow than CPA.
Hi
This person does seem to have a terribly large amount of letters after his name!
I can help you with two - I think!
FCA - shows that someone is a fellow on the ICAEW. Not sure about the Coms. bit though. But as you said, they are not a member of the institue so unless they are being untruthfull, not sure what it would be.
CPFA - could be a member of CIPFA - public finance institue, normally these qualfied people work in the public sector - ie local government etc.
Not sure really about the rest but this person should be reported to the ICAEW if they are holding themselves out as Chartered and are not.
HTH
Nicola Curson FCCA, AAT, ATT, AIA, IFA, GODDESS, ONLY, JOKING! (apart from the first two)
