XN000022-1972-08-16 — Page 14

-

14

Wednesday, August 16, 1972

AMENDMENT PROPOSED TO ACCOUNTANTS BILL

*

The Hon. Wilfred Wong today welcomed the Accountants Bill 1972

but proposed an amendment relating to accountants working for incorporated

non-profit-making charitable organisations.

He said it was traditional that these organisations would normally

have their books audited by a qualified accountant, now to be registered

under the Bill, but not necessarily holding a practising certificate.

He was speaking in the Legislative Council in support of the Bill

on its second reading.

Mr. Wong said it was unlikely that a person holding a practising

certificate would have the time to give free service to charitable

organisations which in the past have been helped by the qualified accountants.

The Bill, he said, would put these organisations in an "invidious"

position by depriving them of the traditional service which had hitherto

been given to them.

The Bill seeks to, among other things, prohibit any person from

practising public accountancy unless he is registered as an accountant and

holds a practising certificate.

Under the Bill, the Hong Kong Society of Accountants will be

incorporated and a Council set up as its governing body to provide for

the registration of accountants and regulation of their professional

practice and conduct.

/Mr. Wong