Scum of The Earth

It seems that the ICAEW, either via accident or design, has managed to stir up another major row with some other accounting bodies.

Accountancy Age reports that "private papers" (intended for council only) were "accidentally" published on the ICAEW website last week.

The papers disclose a plan to rank accountants in terms of a hierarchy. The Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies would be the top, and book-keepers at the bottom.

The plan is part of the ICAEW's desire to formally recognise the term "accountant", and will be submitted to the Privy Council.

The ranking will be as follows:

- CCAB
- financial accountants
- accounting technicians
- book-keepers.

Not unsurprisingly the ICAEW recognise that there may be some opposition to this (eg from the Association of International Accountants and Institute of Certified Bookkeepers).

ICB chief executive Garry Carter is quoted in Accountancy Age:

"Our members are highly qualified, they are not the scum of the earth."

It seems a very odd "accident" to publish this, given that the membership of the ICAEW are never allowed to read on the ICAEW site about what their illustrious members of council discuss or do.

I must ask why did the ICAEW publish this on the site, before they had finalised the plans?

I trust and assume that an investigation is being carried out by the ICAEW.

Needless to say, the ICAEW have now taken down the document from its site. However, I am pleased to say that I have a copy. Here it is ICAEW Report.

I would note that it contains this rather revealing paragraph:

"ICAEW has adopted a policy of getting closer to IFA and other organisations. In turn that meant that David Hunt became the IFA President in January 2007. Eric Anstee became the IFA Chairman of Council in September 2007."

Are we heading for another merger attempt, this time by the back door, or is this a takeover of IFA?

I did warn people about this in three articles in 2005 and 2006:

- The Confidential Plan

- Supersize Me!

- IFA Rumour