ACCA AND AAT BURY THE HATCHET

Last week's ACCA / AAT tie-up means employer organisations already recognised by the ACCA approved employer programme can become accredited by AAT under its equivalent scheme, without having to go through AAT’s full assessment process.

Which is quite dull.

Unless you travel back in time to 1997 when an almighty row broke out between the two over the ACCA's plans to launch a competing exam. Labour MP Austin Mitchell weighed in (of course) demanding the ACCA investigates any possible conflict of interest.

Back then AAT president and Smith & Williamson partner John Newman said he was 'saddened' adding: 'There's always been cooperation between the accounting bodies over AAT. We've avoided the petty squabbles and turf wars we've seen elsewhere. We can only interpret this as direct competition, not that we are afraid of that. We are in the dark over what it is trying to do, but we would welcome any discussion.'

ICAEW education and training director, Phil Armitage, followed that with: 'We were surprised, especially as ACCA is a sponsoring body. We hadn't realised it was planning this - it all seems a bit odd. But ACCA has always maintained it's in the business of providing access to accountancy qualifications.'

In truth the relationship has thawed in recent years but they were nice quotes that I couldn't resist revisiting.

ICAEW UPS COMMUNICATION SPEND

Full marks to the ICAEW for delivering what looks like a pretty transparent annual review last week. Yes, a loss was made as disciplinary costs climbed, but more interesting, perhaps, was the revelation that the costs of communication soared by over 70%.

That's because of the decision to send Accountancy magazine to all members and students. The communication path seldoms runs smooth, however. The magazine received a rap over the kuckles from the Audit Bureau of Circulation last month for mis-classifying its new, all-member audience. A disciplinary of its own, you might say.

WHO'S OUT AFTER CIPFA COUNCIL ELECTIONS?

Among those not making the cut after the votes were counted for the CIPFA council elections (the white smoke emerged today) were Mal Singh, the highly regarded head of finance professionalism at The Treasury. He'll now be able to fully concetrate on his day job - not least in ensuring Whitehall belatedly meets its target for appointing finance directors across government departments.

And here are a few tips for anyone looking to join the council: make sure you have a background in audit or health. Candidates in those categories were elected unopposed. Being a CIPFA member would be a distinct advantage too.

MUST DO BETTER....

And finally a moan. Having a Royal Charter means you don't have to file accounts with Companies House, I learnt this week while searching for institute annual reviews. Most put them on their own websites but which I thought they could be more easily found collectively.

How wrong I was.

But is it right that accountancy institutes don't do so in this age of supposed transparency?

It may the letter of the law but doesn't feel quite like the spirit.