TOP chartered accountants in Sussex are calling for a change of style in the accountancy profession.

Mark Spofforth, president of the South Eastern Society of Chartered Accountants, which represents 7,500 accountants across East and West Sussex as well as Kent and Surrey, said: "Transparency and partnership are the keys to our professional future."

Graham Ward, deputy president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, has signalled a new era of openness and partnership saying professional bodies must change their relationship with their members and with the public if they are to remain relevant in the 21st Century.

He said: "The world is more sceptical about the value of the professions than it was 50 or even 25 years ago.

"It is no longer credible for our institute to assert that it has a high reputation.

"Its qualities must be clearly demonstrated. In the minds of members and the public the concept of 'tell me' has been replaced by 'show me'.

"We have to guarantee our relevance by forming new, closer partnerships with our members, their employees and Government."

Mr Ward added that chartered accountants must earn respect through transparency in education, training, technical standards and discipline.

Mr Spofforth said: "Changes are already taking place to meet the expectations of the public as well as existing and new members of the profession."

He said a rigorous and cost effective new chartered accountancy qualification was being introduced by the institute and there were moves to promote a new system of independent regulation for the accounting profession.

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