What Are Chartered Accountants - Defined

| Monday, April 18, 2011
By Archie Campbell


Countries outside of the United States refer to their registered bookkeepers as chartered accountants. These people are required to be members of a professional organization within their own country. For example, in Sri Lanka they must become members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.

Many differences are found from country to country as to requirements for this type of title. However, the difference between a person who is considered chartered and one who is not is their level of education and testing that has been done. Once they become a member of this group they are required to continue building their skills and knowledge through refresher classes and seminars.

The first professional body of accounting was formed by a group of chartered accountants in Britain back in 1854. Since that time many more organizations have been formed. Within the United States of America these would be referred to as a Certified Public Accountant. Individual governing rules and regulations are created within the group themselves. In addition each country has their own requirements regarding the ability to perform of each person.

Within Canada these people are referred to as CAs. Until recently only registered members were allowed to practice auditing functions for a public company. However, every country has their own variations on what is acceptable and what is not. Registrations and licensing is only useful in the country where it was obtained. Currently the guidelines are too different to allow true international accounting.

Receiving a license or becoming certified as an accountant is a big decision. For those within the United States it can be a very expensive decision as well. The US has one of the highest education requirements of any of the countries who provide certification to their bookkeepers. In the US a person needs to complete a four year degree in accounting as well as take further classes beyond that in certain required fields.

The CPA exam in the US is made up of several different parts. A person needs to be very dedicated to their career to reach the final level of becoming a CPA. It is estimated that of those who proceed to the point of applying for the CPA license, only a little more than 80% are successful on their first attempt.

In a nutshell, the difference between chartered and non-chartered is simply a matter of organizational membership. Many may have the ability to do the things that the members do but either choose to not join the professional organization or for some reason are not allowed to join.




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