Anybody can call themselves an ‘accountant’, but are they qualified to offer you advice, prepare your company accounts or calculate your tax correctly?

Qualified accountants can be either Chartered Accountants (identifiable by the designatory letters ACA or FCA) or Chartered Certified Accountants (identifiable by the designatory letters ACCA or FCCA).

By using a qualified accountant you can be sure that:

• they have undertaken a rigorous programme of study, examinations and practical work experience before qualifying they undertake compulsory continuous professional development to ensure their knowledge is up to date and their skills are maintained
• they are bound by strong and enforceable rules regarding ethics and professional conduct.