How to correctly use ‘CA’ and ‘Chartered Accountants’
Learn more about how to correctly use ‘CA’ and ‘Chartered Accountants’.
As a Chartered Accountant you have achieved the highest professional level by following our programme of rigorous training and examination in accountancy and business. And we are keen for as many members and firms as possible to be able to use ‘CA’ and ‘Chartered Accountants’ in marketing their services.
Using CA or Chartered Accountant promotes ICAS and the CA qualification, and makes a distinction from the unregulated providers. We know how proud our members are to be able to use the letters and designation that they have worked so hard for.
Each year, we have to engage with individuals and firms who are incorrectly using ‘CA’ and/or ‘Chartered Accountants’. While this mostly involves individuals with no association to ICAS, we do deal with CAs who are improperly using one or both.
The designations signify the high standards and ethical leadership of our members and we want to make sure we retain and protect the value of these. To use these designations you must meet the following criteria:
- Only ICAS members are allowed to use the letters ‘CA’ in the UK (members of the other professional accountancy bodies have their own designatory letters).
- While ‘CA’ must never be used in the registered name of a firm, it can be used in a trading name if a licence is applied for and granted by ICAS (details here).
- ICAS does not permit third parties to register trademarks containing the CA lettering in relation to accountancy services.
- ICAS’ Public Practice Regulations (available here) set out the conditions for using the description ‘Chartered Accountants’ – in general terms, at least half of the principals of the firm must be Chartered Accountants (i.e. members of ICAS, ICAI or ICAEW); however, there is further guidance on when there may be an exception to this. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis by the Authorisation Committee.
We would encourage any CAs or ICAS firms to engage with us if there are any concerns or questions about current use, so that we can work together to remedy the position. We would also welcome reports of any misuse by individuals or entities who are not connected with ICAS.
Please email regulatoryauthorisations@icas.com for more information.
