ACCOUNTANTS' DIPLOMAS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3009, 21 February 1917, Page 4

ACCOUNTANTS' DIPLOMAS

PLEA FOR (PROTECTION OF PEO- - FESSIONIL TITLES. A deputation from tho New Zealand Society of Accountants waited'upon the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. G. W. Russell) yesterday to bring under his notice a nutter of interest to their profession, i ■ • Mr. H. S. Barton (president of .the society) said they represented the New Zealand Society of Accountants, and they had come to ask for additional protection of the term "public accountant" and allied titles, "public accountant" and "registered accountant" were the titles by which they classified .the members' of this society. A member practising on his own was called a "public accountant," a member employed l by a laTge firm was called a "registered accountant." The society had built up a valuable goodwill round these titles, more especially that of "publicf'accountant." It had also taken steps to elevate the standing of the profession so as to ensure that none but efficient and qualified men nhould be able to engage in the work. They also exercised discipline over their m ambers, 60 that they had to behave themselves in keeping with the profession. Mr. Barton proceeded to point out that the titles "professional accountant/' "expert accountant," "accountant," and others cnuld be used, and the public had no guarantee as to tho qualifications or (Standing of these men. Moreover, these men got the benefit of the high standing of the members of the society, and the use cf these expressions, and also of cerium letters, ■ misled the public. He mentioned that as soon as the Act had bsen pessed the society had arranged for the University of New Zealand to conduct the accountancy examination, the University laving adopted all tho subjects specified by the society. The benefit of all this action was being minimised by the presence of unqualified and inefficient men who were at liberty to describe themselves as he had mentioned, and he cited instances where great financial loss had resulted. ''

Thp Minister, in reply, said ho was pleased to meet the deputation, because he recognised tho high character of the profession to which they belonged t and tho importance of the public being protected against persons of improper character who at present wero able to describe therasolves as accountants. He stated he was not prepared, however, to introduce legislation which would inflict hardship on many men now employed by firms as bookkeepers or accountants. Their representations dealt more particularly witli persons openly in public. practice, and so far as these individuals wero concerned ho could give- them a sympathetic Teply. He would ask the Department of Internal Affaire lor a full report on tho matter, and would then consider tho question of amending legislation. Ho did not know whether it would bo possible to got any legislation through next session; it was almost suro to be a war session. Nor did ho think ho could go tho whole distance of the Transvaal legislation which they had shown him. He would, however, consult them later before doing anything, and in tho meantime they could accept this ,aa a sympathetio reply.