New moves unveiled to prevent 'abuse of title'

The Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) is asking its members for their views over the treatment of the term 'accountant', it has emerged.

According to reports by the Scotsman, the CCAB is taking the decision to lobby its membership base in an effort to ensure that only qualified individuals can call themselves accountants.

The term can currently be used by anyone, irrespective of their credentials.

"You could be walking down the high street and see the term 'accountant' on a board and you're none the wiser of their qualifications," said Anton Colella, chief executive of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), an organisation based in Edinburgh.

"These people can prepare your accounts and do your tax returns. There's a fair amount of anecdotal evidence of the poor standard of work they provide," he added.

Established in 1974, the CCAB membership includes a number of organisations, including ICAS and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.