Few show their ACCA 'discontent'

A meeting to discuss discontent within one of Ireland's accountancy bodies drew only a small attendance last night.

The organisers of the meeting of members of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) said it was arranged to discuss "discontent" within the Irish membership of the international accountancy organisation. However, the head of the Irish ACCA, Mr Roger Acton, said the organisers represented only a small minority view within the organisation.

The organisers of yesterday's meeting would not let The Irish Times sit in to observe the proceedings. About 30-40 accountants were in the hotel conference room when the meeting kicked off at 6.30 p.m. There was seating set out for more than 100.

There was no comment from the organisers after the meeting.

Last week one of the organisers, who did not want to be named, said the meeting was being held to enable members to discuss issues of concern relating to the ACCA, the make-up of its compliance and disciplinary committees, and its responsiveness to the changing Irish business scene.

However, Mr Acton said the association, which has 3,000 Irish members, constantly met its members and researched their views. "The views [of the meeting organisers] are not the views held by the majority of ordinary members," he said.

He said the association had no intention of changing its rules on the monitoring of compliance with auditing standards as this would not be in the public interest.