Practicing certificate

How to find a chartered accountant with practicing certificate

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Hi, 

I am currently MAAT and would like to progress my career to chartered status. Due to life circumstances I am unable to work office hours but have worked there previously.  Currently running my own client list under AAT licence.  If I would like to progress to the chartered status I need to work with a chartered accountant with a practising licence, I tried job posting advertising but had no luck. Any idea from my learned friends would be much appreciated. 

Thanking in advance for all replies that contribute to the solution. 

Replies (17)

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By johngroganjga
24th Feb 2019 17:37

All chartered accountants in practice have practising (sic) certificates, but that’s not what you need. What you need is an ICAEW training office. You can spot them easily because they are the ones who offer graduate and non-graduate training contracts.

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By WhichTyler
24th Feb 2019 18:18

ICAEW only or will any other sort of chartered do?
(ACCA, CIMA etc)

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Replying to WhichTyler:
By Duggimon
25th Feb 2019 10:27

I always though "Chartered" specifically referred to ICAEW/ICAS, and other qualifications, while just as valid, do not carry the same honorific. I may be wrong on that though, happy to be corrected.

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By Rweaver
25th Feb 2019 12:47

Duggimon wrote:

I always though "Chartered" specifically referred to ICAEW/ICAS, and other qualifications, while just as valid, do not carry the same honorific. I may be wrong on that though, happy to be corrected.

You’re wrong.

The ‘c’ in CIMA and the first ‘c’ in ACCA both stand for Chartered.

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By adam.arca
25th Feb 2019 14:02

No, you're wrong and Duggimon is right (I think).

A CIMA can be referred to as "Chartered Management Accountant" or "Management Accountant." S/he can't be referred to as a "Chartered Accountant" or just "chartered." Same for ACCA.

That was the position in 1995 or whenever when all this was sorted. I'm not aware it has changed since.

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Replying to adam.arca:
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By Rweaver
25th Feb 2019 14:17

adam.arca wrote:

No, you're wrong and Duggimon is right (I think).

A CIMA can be referred to as "Chartered Management Accountant" or "Management Accountant." S/he can't be referred to as a "Chartered Accountant" or just "chartered." Same for ACCA.

That was the position in 1995 or whenever when all this was sorted. I'm not aware it has changed since.

Duggimon did not refer to the use of the term ‘Chartered Accountant’, which, I agree, cannot be used by an ACCA or CIMA.

Duggimon simply referred to ‘Chartered’. Both ACCA and CIMA are Chartered.

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By Asia888Cloud
25th Feb 2019 07:08

Thank you johngroganja & WhichTyler. ICAEW, ACCA, ICAS will do but the ICAEW training office looks like a good option. johngroganja in your experience are they likely to take on small practice like mine and how would I find them (looked on ICAEW website and not seen any available list). Many thanks.

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Replying to Asia888Cloud:
By johngroganjga
25th Feb 2019 08:11

The firms, if you are successful in your applications, will take you on and give you approved work experience and put you through the courses of tuition leading up to the exams. How they would deal with you wanting to continue your small practice on the side is another matter. You would need to explain that in your applications and discuss it at interview.

How to find them? Googling “ICAEW training contracts + the name of your local area” should produce a shortlist in no time.

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Worm
By TheLambtonWorm
25th Feb 2019 08:52

I don't think it's a case of working 'with' a chartered accountant, but a case of working 'for' a chartered accountant.

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Caroline
By accountantccole
25th Feb 2019 11:21

If you are trying to find a training practice then you might struggle if you can't work office hours?

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By Maslins
25th Feb 2019 11:23

Does seem a bit daft that someone could run a successful practice as AAT for a few years, but then if they want to improve their own qualification they seemingly have no choice but to scrap their practice.

From reading other replies I think I've understood the OP differently, still unsure exactly what is meant...

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By Asia888Cloud
25th Feb 2019 12:35

It looks like I have no choice but sell my current business and work for sb else. Worked in practice before and it was very difficult to get a training contract from partners (overheards, budgets etc was mentioned)but mainly fact that I am not twenty -sth so not within their bracket for training! Not sure which way to jump!

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By andy.partridge
25th Feb 2019 14:32

I'm scratching my head wondering why you feel the need to take a backward step?

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By Asia888Cloud
25th Feb 2019 15:57

Some of my clients simply refer to me as a bookkeeper since I am not chartered. This reflects in the fees they want to pay.

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Replying to Asia888Cloud:
Worm
By TheLambtonWorm
25th Feb 2019 16:17

In my experience - Being a chartered accountant won't directly change how clients perceive you, or how much they are prepared to pay you for your services, unfortunately.

The way you achieve the above is by providing a good service and being confident enough to charge the clients a suitable fee for the work done.

The ACA qualification will certainly help with this, but not nearly as much as you might think if your goal is ultimately to continue as you already are, but be able to charge a bit more money.

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Replying to TheLambtonWorm:
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By User deleted
25th Feb 2019 16:51

I work with a number of accountancy firms. There are some fully qualifed ACA employees out there on not much more than NMW despite their qual - owing to how useless they are!

Sure OP isn't in this boat, though. Hope not, anyway

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the sea otter
By memyself-eye
25th Feb 2019 17:50

It's not how the clients refer to you that matters - it's whether they value what you do.
Sticking 'chartered' on your CV won't change that.

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