CAs not allowed to use any other designation

[Ritu Chauhan]

It has been brought to the notice of the Institute that some members are using the certain designation (s) other than Chartered Accountant in addition to the designation Chartered Accountant. In this regard, the attention of the members is drawn on Item (7) of Part-I of First Schedule to the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 which provides that a Chartered Accountant in practice shall be deemed to be guilty of professional misconduct if he uses any designation or expressions other than chartered accountant on professional documents, visiting cards, letter heads or sign boards, unless it be a degree of a University established by law in India or recognised by the Central Government or a title indicating membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India or of any other institution that has been recognised by the Central Government or may be recognised by the Council.

Further, attention of the members is also drawn to the following paras appearing at page no. 154 of the Code of Ethics, 2009 under commentary of Item (7):-

It is improper for a Chartered Accountant to state on his professional documents that he is an Income-tax Consultant, Cost Accountant, Company Secretary, Cost Consultant or a Management Consultant.

While noting that it had already allowed its members to appear before the various authorities including Company Law Board, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Sales Tax Tribunal where the law has permitted the same, so far as the designation Corporate Lawyer is concerned, the Council was of the view that as per the existing provisions of law, a Chartered Accountant in practice is not entitled to use the designation Corporate Lawyer.

The members are not permitted to use the initials CPA (standing for Certified Public Accountant) on their visiting cards.

Members of the Institute in practice who are otherwise eligible may also practice as Company Secretaries and/or Cost Accountants. Such members shall, however, not use designation/s of the aforesaid Institute/s simultaneously with the designation Chartered Accountant.

Section 7 of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 also provides that every member of the Institute in practice shall, and any other member may, use the designation of a chartered accountant and no member using such designation shall use any other description, whether in addition thereto or in substitution there for unless such descriptions indicate the membership of any other accounting body recognized by the Council in this behalf or the qualification he may possess.

In view of the above, though the members are allowed to use the description as to their qualifications however members are not permitted to use any other designation along with the designation Chartered Accountant. Members are therefore advised to abstain from using any other designation with the designation Chartered Accountant failing which they may be liable for disciplinary action, as per the provisions of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 and Rules/Regulations framed thereunder.

Chartered accountant in New Delhi

[DR.MARIAPPAN GOVINDARAJAN]

Thank you for your information.

AI Summary

Chartered Accountants warned against using unauthorized titles; possible misconduct under Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, Section on professional conduct. Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants are reminded that using designations other than 'Chartered Accountant' on professional documents, such as visiting cards or letterheads, constitutes professional misconduct under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949. Exceptions exist for university degrees recognized by law or titles indicating membership in recognized institutions. It is improper to use titles like Income-tax Consultant or Corporate Lawyer. Members can practice as Company Secretaries or Cost Accountants but cannot use these designations alongside 'Chartered Accountant.' Violations may lead to disciplinary action as per the Act and its regulations.