Accountancy Disciplinary

The accountancy profession is regulated by a number of different accountancy bodies, depending on the membership of the individual accountant:

  • The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
  • The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
  • The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland
  • The Institute of Chartered Certified Accountants
  • The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
  • The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy

Complaints

Any individual who has concerns in relation to an accountant or an accountancy firm is entitled to make a complaint to the relevant accountancy body.

The six accountancy bodies each have their own procedure for handling complaints and disciplining members whose professional and ethical standards fall below reasonable expectations.

We can provide expert advice and assistance in relation to any disciplinary matter initiated by any of the accountancy bodies.

The Accountancy Investigation and Discipline Board

The focus of the Accountancy Investigation & Discipline Board is on cases of public interest; other cases are dealt with by the individual accountancy body of the member concerned.

The normal channel of reference to the AIDB for ‘public interest’ cases will be the accountancy body primarily concerned. However, the AIDB also have the power to ‘call in’ cases whether or not they have been referred to it by an accountancy body.

Disciplinary Hearings of AIDB

Where the AIDB has been notified of a formal complaint, it serves the complaint on the member or member firm concerned and appoints a Disciplinary Tribunal to hear the complaint as soon as is practicable.

In coming to its decision, the Disciplinary Tribunal may take into account any relevant evidence.

Where the Disciplinary Tribunal makes an adverse finding in relation to a member or member firm, then:

  • It may order sanctions against the member or member firm, including the revocation of a practicing certificate;
  • It may include an order that the member or member firm pay the costs of, and incidental to, the investigation and the hearing of the complaint before the Disciplinary Hearing
  • It may make no order

Following its decision, the Disciplinary Tribunal prepares a report on the member or member firm concerned, setting out its decision and the reasons for it, in addition to any related order. The report is then published by the Board as soon as is practicable and in such a manner as the Board thinks fit.

Appeals

Within 28 days of an adverse finding, a member of member firm can appeal against the finding itself or the order imposed.

Appeals can only be made on the following grounds:

  • That the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal was perverse or wrong in law and/or;
  • That there was injustice because of a serious procedural or other irregularity in the proceedings before the Disciplinary Tribunal and/or;
  • That significant and relevant new evidence has come to light which was not previously available;
  • The sanction imposed was ‘manifestly unreasonable’

All appeals are heard by either a former member of the Judiciary or a Queen’s Counsel.

The Accountants’ Joint Disciplinary Scheme

Similar to AIDB, ‘The Accountants’ Disciplinary Scheme’ conducts independent investigations into the work and conduct of chartered accountants in cases of ‘public concern’. These include cases where investors have lost money as a result of a company’s financial mismanagement or collapse.

The Scheme ensures that alleged incompetence or misconduct is thoroughly examined and disciplinary action taken where professional standards have not been maintained.

Cases are referred to The Accountants’ Joint Disciplinary Scheme’ by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland only.

Contact us

Whether you are facing disciplinary proceedings before an individual accountancy body, or initiated by either ‘The Accountancy Investigation and Discipline Board’ or ‘The Accountants’ Joint Disciplinary Scheme’, we can provide advice, assistance and representation from the point of the initial investigation through to the disciplinary hearing itself. We can also advise and conduct appeals, where relevant. Please contact us with any queries.