Choosing An Accountant

AIA Qualified

AIA members are professionally qualified accountants having undertaken the AIA's preofessional qualification or equivalent.

All AIA members must undertake Continuing Professional Development, adhere to AIA practising regulations, and abide by the International Federation of Accountants Code of Ethics

AIA is recognised by the UK Government as a Recognised Qualifying Body of Statutory Auditors.

AIA is regulated by the Professional Oversight Board, part of the UK's Financial Reporting Council and the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority. AIA has supervisory status for its members in the Money Laundering Regulations 2007.

AIA Quality Assured

AIA monitor practices to ensure that our members are maintaining the high level of skill and professionalism expected from them.

Upon successful completion of the Quality Assurance monitoring visit, practices are awarded the AIA Quality Assured logo. AIA firms who apply procedures considered by the accountancy profession to be best practice will be entitled to use this logo on their business stationery.

AIA is constantly working to encourage trust, clarity and shared international standards in the accounting profession and through regular monitoring; AIA ensures that our members have the right knowledge, skills and training to provide an exceptional service to their clients.

Are all Accountants Qualified?

No. The term 'accountant' is not legally protected and as a result anyone can call themselves an accountant, regardless of training, qualification or experience.

What's the difference between a Qualified and unqualified Accountant?

A qualified accountant has completed a professional qualification and is a member of a professional body; they are trained professionals.

Are qualified Accountants more expensive?

Whilst there are more costs associated with being a qualified accountant, such as membership fees to a professional body and professional indemnity insurance, this does not always mean that you will be paying higher fees. Unusuallylow fees should always be met with caution.

How can I check an accountant is qualified?

You can check directly with the professional body they are a member of, most bodies are happy to confirm whether an accountant is a current member or not.

What does this mean for you?

Using a professionally qualified accountant means you are putting your business in safe hands. AIA members have committed to a professional qualification and are required to undertake continuous study to ensure they are up-to-date with changes in the profession.

AIA members in public practice must have professional indemnity insurance to cover the risk in the unlikely event they give you bad advice or are negligent in handling your affairs. on those rare occasions when something does go wrong, you can lodge a complaint with AIA, and we can begin disciplinary procedures.

Members that are supervised by AIA under the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 are also subject to a practice monitoring process.

GT Aspros is a member of the AIA