chartered?

[tali122]

what is the difference between a chartered accountant and an accountant, likewise with surveyor(or do they all now have chartered as their titles?)

thx

[rd14962]

Hi Tali,

chartered is when a qualification is held and the person is a member of a recognised professional body that has been granted by a Sovereign.

I hope this helps

[Buenchico]

As rd14962 has indicated 'chartered' effectively means 'qualified'. (It actually means that the person is a member of a chartered institution but, since membership is obtained by passing examinations, it's real meaning is that they're fully qualified).

I used to work for a firm as a sales rep', going round trying to convince firms that we could reduce their business rates. My business card decsribed me as a 'surveyor'. This was perfectly legal because anyone can use this title (and I had a tape measure to prove it!). If, however, I'd described myself as a Chartered Surveyor, I'd have been breaking the law.

Similarly, I used to handle the PAYE returns for a friend who ran a burger van (and employed several staff). In my dealings with the tax office, I was always referred to as his 'accountant'. Once again, this was legal (even though I've not got any accountancy qualifications) because anyone can call themself an accountant but only qualified people can use the title 'chartered accountant'.

Chris

[crgb14]

You can still be qualified as a surveyor without actually being affiliated with the institute (RICS). To obtain professional status you must first complete a degree at a recognised Uni then go through the process of ewing examined etc before the RICS will approve.

You can still be a fully qualified surveyor without and call yourself this but can't call yourself 'Chartered' as chris rightly said.

For many people its a 'status' thing and depends on what type of surveyor you are. For a building surveyor its pretty much a must have to be chartered but quantity surveyors don't always need. Depends what sort of work you do. I'm a quantity surveyor but not chartered nor do i intend to be as i work on the development side and not general practise. Doesn't mean i'm not qualified though.