Wolverhampton based ags are advising
local businesses to take note of recent warnings regarding
cowboy accountants operating across the region.
The firm of accountants and business
advisers believe small businesses are being put at increasing
risk by bogus individuals who have no formal qualifications.
Steve Aston, partner at ags, comments:
"We are often hear from new clients that they have
had a bad experience in the past, or that they are not
fully aware of what constitutes a qualified accountant.
The main point to consider is to be sure the accountant
is a member of one of the main professional bodies, The
Institute of Chartered Accountants, The Association of
Chartered Certified Accountants or The Chartered Institute
of Management Accountants.
"It can also be useful to speak
to your local business contacts to see who they use. A
personal recommendation is the best endorsement for any
accountant. Then before meeting with a number of proposed
firms, do some background work."
The warning comes following reported
pressure from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
for the government to introduce a clear definition of
the term "accountant."
Steve concludes: "Unfortunately
anyone can set themselves up as an accountant and this
can result in bad advice, costly mistakes or even illegal
accounts for local businesses."
For more information call (0) 1902
717175.
