Letters: Raising standards
29 Jun 09
I read with interest the President’s Comment (“Tone at the top”, CA Magazine June 2009) where ICAS president Douglas Nisbet argued that all company directors should adhere to strict guidelines on ethical behaviour
Presumably Mr Nisbet expects that a zero-tolerance stance on unethical behaviour by all company directors will also extend to all accounting institute members, and not just those of ICAS, ensuring the public recovers faith in the accountancy profession.
ICAS changes to the code governing the way companies are run, should ensure that directors would uphold the highest ethical standards of integrity and probity.
If these proposals are to be implemented and adhered to, all qualified accountants must receive backing from their respective institutes when they face unethical dilemmas, particularly if they are in a “whistle blowing” situation.
My perception has been that until recently, advice to “whistle blowers” has been substantially inadequate.
Presumably if the profession wishes unethical behaviour to be rooted out, stronger and more realistic sanctions will have to be taken.
In such circumstances, the Institute cannot sit on the fence and expect the “whistle blower” to walk away from the job if a solution cannot be brokered with an employer or auditor.
If guidelines are being ignored, bent, or interpreted in such a way as to maximise corporate or personal gain, then this must be subjected to a zero-tolerance approach.
The Institute must become proactive and, if necessary, discipline any members who are unprepared to recognise their indiscretions.
Failure to address this will allow the status quo to continue and not improve public confidence in the accountancy profession.
Tony Cormack CA,Bonnyrigg, Midlothian
Not a case of picture perfect this time
I thought that I might have mistakenly picked up a copy of Nuts magazine when I turned to page 6 of your June magazine.
I am aware that there are people who consider the world of accounting to be male dominated and inherently sexist. I would like to think that this is not the case, but the picture that you used hardly contradicts this perception.
I appreciate that the inclusion of pictures increases the visual impact of the magazine, however, I couldn’t see the relationship between the discussion of MPs, expenses and the picture that you had chosen. I think that we should try and promote the profession as somewhere that individuals can succeed regardless of sex, age or ethnic background. Including pictures that sexually objectify women in the Institute’s magazine hardly contribute to this endeavour.
John Boaden CA,via email
The editor replies:
Thanks for your feedback. I’m sorry you feel that way about the illustration we used and it certainly wasn’t our intention to reinforce any perceived sexism in the profession.
In fact, we are always keen to highlight the rising number of successful women in accountancy.
Obituaries – an apology
However depressing it may be to you chaps, I can guarantee that 90 per cent of the readership of CA Magazine above the age of 45 go straight to the Obituaries section and then put the magazine in the bin.
This meant that last month’s magazine went straight in the bin, as apparently there were no deaths to report. Given the number reported in the June magazine,
I can only assume someone either forgot to insert them in May or that you ran out of space.
You report this month, two members who were admitted to ICAS before conception - Mr Ian Mackay, who died aged 49 but was admitted to ICAS in 1952, and Mr Douglas McNicol, who died aged 48 but was admitted to ICAS in 1950.
Please try and get this section of the magazine right – it is the bit that matters most to the Grumpy Old Men who simply want reassurance on the longevity of ICAS members. I suspect that you are 30 years out with the ages of both Mr Mackay and Mr McNicol.
Neil Woodcock,Global Chief Operating Officer,Salans LLP London
The editor replies:
You are quite right. I’m sorry for this error and we’ll make sure it won’t happen again! We did not receive obituaries in time for the May issue, but I can assure you that if space is limited, it will not be the obituaries that are left out.