SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2842, 5 August 1916, Page 7

SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS

ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the New Zealand Society of Accountants states that the admissions to membership during the year were 89, and the secessions (for various reasons) 121, a decrease for the year of 32. ' The membership now stands at 1823. After referring in detail to (bote members of the society who have enlisted, the report says: "Your council decided that the. subscriptions of all members during their period of active service shall b« paid by the society. At last annual meeting the members voted a further contribution from the funds, the sum of 250 guineas being donated to the No. 2 Hospital Ship, Marama. The council was also authorised to expend at its discretion up to .£SOO in addition, as a contribution to the War funds. Up to the date of. this report, no portion of this latter amount has been definitely allocated. Your council, recognising the necessity for more efficient financial organisation in connection with public effort for the raising of patriotic funds, and the consequent impossibility of satisfactory subsequent audit offered on behalf. of members of the society, to organise and supervise the financial arrangements connected with such efforts. The Minister, of Internal Affairs, in replying, expressed liis appreciation of the offer, and undertook to bring it under the notice of the various patriotic committees." Mention is also made of the-society's scheme for assisting returned soldiers to learn book-keeping and office work, in conjunction, with professional instructional schools in the different centres, and, by arrangement with Die New Zealand University, the society lifis arranged to pay tho examination and certificate .fees of such men as are considered competent to sit. "As a result, of complaints preferred • by the Investigation Committee, the council dealt with the following cases during tho year:—Two members were struck off tho register, and one was suspended for a period of six months, for conduct, considered by the council as discreditable to an accountant. Several members were censured and warned in connection with the issue of unprofessional or touting circulars. The council is determined to deal stringently with all eases brought under its notice affectins professional misconduct. "Since the last annual renort was issued, the New Zealand Socist.v of Ac- , countiinls Amendment Act, has passed into law, and this provides that the council may, if it thinks fit, .grant reinstatement to members who have been struck off the register for non-payment of subscription, upon such terms and subject to such condition? as the council may impose. Several applications for reinstatement under this Act have been received, and two have been granted. Others : will come up for consideration at the next meeting of the council. "It is proposed at the conclusion of the present, war, to institute a sctiemo of scholarships for competition by students attending recognised secondary school* throughout the Dominion. "With the exception of the Districts of Povertv Bay and Canterbury, all tile councillors named have been re-elected unopposed. With regard to Poverty Bay, Mr. A.. G.. K"ere .dee ; ded, to the regret of the council, that ho could not allow himself to be. re-nominated, and , Mr. Christopher G. Piessn has therefore been elected unopposed for that district. I'-t the Canterbury district Mr. William E. Best is seeking re-election, and Mr. Harold Crane has also been nominated for the vacancy. Vofinct panprs for this district are now distributed to the members residing therein, and aro returnable four days before tho annual mating. The rcHp"" iiudi'-nrs. Ke?sr-\ Edward I?us=ell M'Lean DvmocU nnd ICellow, hav been re-elected unopposed. "The audited accounts of the Head Office for flic period und«r review are annexed to the report. The income ond expenditure, account, discloses e surplus for t.!in v»ii' of .C''s2 Hs. Id., "od the -ecuniulnted Fund stands at ,f:352G 14s. 2d." The annual meeri'Mr • the society is to be held on Angus'- ?Q.