Thursday, June 28, 2007
U Turn If You Want To, Ken's Not For Turning II
Nice to see Accountancy Age have corrected the misleading impression that their headline about U turns gave last week.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
U Turn If You Want To, Ken's Not For Turning
Today's Accountancy Age has a piece entitled "Long-term critics u-turn in institute cold war".
The article notes that I have stated, in an earlier article, that the ICAEW had "accepted the argument" that mergers would dilute the ICAEW brand.
I have no quibbles with that, and indeed am pleased that the AA article notes that I am unhappy about the size of council and "pension black hole".
I would also emphasise that wrt council, the Victorian nonsense of nationally unknown candidates being "elected" on a local basis, and candidates needing to be nominated, needs to be addressed.
The Victorian trading association model is no longer applicable!
However, I would tactfully like to remind Accountancy Age that the ICAEW (by accepting the argument made on this site for the last two years, that the ACA/FCA brand is superior) has in fact made a U turn, not I!
The AA heading is misleading.
The article notes that I have stated, in an earlier article, that the ICAEW had "accepted the argument" that mergers would dilute the ICAEW brand.
I have no quibbles with that, and indeed am pleased that the AA article notes that I am unhappy about the size of council and "pension black hole".
I would also emphasise that wrt council, the Victorian nonsense of nationally unknown candidates being "elected" on a local basis, and candidates needing to be nominated, needs to be addressed.
The Victorian trading association model is no longer applicable!
However, I would tactfully like to remind Accountancy Age that the ICAEW (by accepting the argument made on this site for the last two years, that the ACA/FCA brand is superior) has in fact made a U turn, not I!
The AA heading is misleading.
Friday, June 15, 2007
A Competitive Advantage?
The ICAEW launched its new advertising campaign this month.
The campaign underlines the value of chartered accountants to business for employers, training organisations and potential trainees.
The headlines used in the campaign, 'A Cut Above' and 'A Competitive Advantage', emphasise (in the words of the ICAEW) the benefits that the ACA qualification provides as a benchmark of the highest professional and ethical standards.
Does this mean that the ICAEW have finally accepted the argument that I have been making on this site, for almost three years, that a merger with a non CA body would dilute the brand?
It would seem that they have accepted that argument.
Otherwise, were they to try to foolishly push another merger attempt with eg CIPFA or CIMA, the words of their own advertising campaign would be thrown back at them.
The campaign underlines the value of chartered accountants to business for employers, training organisations and potential trainees.
The headlines used in the campaign, 'A Cut Above' and 'A Competitive Advantage', emphasise (in the words of the ICAEW) the benefits that the ACA qualification provides as a benchmark of the highest professional and ethical standards.
Does this mean that the ICAEW have finally accepted the argument that I have been making on this site, for almost three years, that a merger with a non CA body would dilute the brand?
It would seem that they have accepted that argument.
Otherwise, were they to try to foolishly push another merger attempt with eg CIPFA or CIMA, the words of their own advertising campaign would be thrown back at them.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Prince Charles
I see that Prince Charles is to become an honorary member of the ICAEW.
I wonder where he stands on the merger issue, and the size of council?
Does anyone have his email address?
I wonder where he stands on the merger issue, and the size of council?
Does anyone have his email address?
Friday, June 08, 2007
Pension Black Hole
Given the ever increasing pension black hole in the ICAEW accounts (it has grown by £4M over the last year), it is hardly surprising that the ICAEW has asked to raise subscriptions this year by 4% (which, despite their denials, is above inflation).
The triannual actuarial review will be carried out later this year and, as sure as eggs are eggs, we can assume that the black hole will have increased.
The astute amongst you will realise that the ICAEW will therefore be again coming cap in hand to its members, to ask for another inflation busting subscription increase in 2008.
Given these never ending increases in staff costs, why did the ICAEW hire 125 more people in 2006?
Do they regard the membership as a docile compliant cash cow which can be milked to death?
The triannual actuarial review will be carried out later this year and, as sure as eggs are eggs, we can assume that the black hole will have increased.
The astute amongst you will realise that the ICAEW will therefore be again coming cap in hand to its members, to ask for another inflation busting subscription increase in 2008.
Given these never ending increases in staff costs, why did the ICAEW hire 125 more people in 2006?
Do they regard the membership as a docile compliant cash cow which can be milked to death?
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