ACCOUNTANCY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1206, 15 August 1911, Page 8

ACCOUNTANCY.

.THE PROFESSIONAL YEAR, SOCIETY'S ANXl T AL FEPOItT. The second annual report of the New Zealand Society of Accountants, to be presented to member* at Hip annual general meeting at the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, August 'JO, states—to jut-2 the main points'—that of the 410 applications lodged under tho New Zealand Society of Accountants Act Amendment, IMB. 2-J1 were admitted to membership, (JS were invited to undergo a practical test, and 141 declined or withdrew. Of the (!S persons asked to submit: to a, practical test, 21 refused to comply with the conditions, and, consequently, were not admitted. Of the remaining 47 who agreed to sit, only :12 actually Mibmitled them>olve.s at the fr>t examination, 12 of whom .satisfied tho examiner. The total number admitted under the Amending Act was therefore 21fl. The total membership on .fuue HO was 2142, a net decrease of four for tho year. After a reference to the result? of the examinations conducted under the auspices of the society, the report mentions that the Investigation Committee of the council investigated a number of complaints against member?, and as a result of subsequent consideration five membors were struck off tho register of members for discreditable conduct; one member wus suspended for a period of six months for professional neglect involving monetary loss to his clients; and three were censured for allowing their signatures to appear on improper certificates ami badly drawn accounts. At. the present lime three further cases are under consideration, and will bo dealt with at the next meeting of the council. The council has decided to inaugurate a prize essay competition, open to the following:—A prize of Jive guineas for the best essay from persons who are members of recognised students' societies in the Dominion,-, and who have not passed their final examination; prizes of live guineas and two guineas for the be?t essays from person? not included in Clause 1. The subject selected for the competition is "Internal Check in delation to a Manufacturing Business/' and essays must be lodged on or before the first of November next.

By direction of flip council, the Executive Committee waited as a deputation on the Minister for Interaal Affair?, and brought under bis notice tho desirability of the Government, when considering the classification of Government servant?, granting special recognition to tboso of its officers who arc members of the society by examination; either conducted by the society, or under the auspices of the previously existing examining bodies. The Minister expressed sympathy with the request, and undertook to bring it under notice of the Classification Board. The council has noted with interest Ihe tendency to endeavour to secure legislation for accountants in various parts of tho British Empire. A Bill is at present before the House of Lords in England lor tho recognition of public accountants in Great Britain. This Bill has passed its second reading and been referred to a felcct committee of both Houses. A movement is also on foot to obtain legislation for the. protection of public accountants in United South Africa, on the lines of legislation already existing in tho Transvaal and Xatal.

In accordance with the regulations of tlio society, all' members of the couucil retire at the annual meeting, ami a fresh election will take place during Hie propent month. Nominations clossd on July 20. (lie, following candidates being elecled unopposed:—Auckland: Messrs. W. A\ . Bruce, \V. H. Hemingway, and H. Pliaw. Taranaki: C. T. -Mills. ITawkc's Bay: \\\ M'Culloeh. Wellington North: W. Kutherfurd. South Canterbury: A. Wilson. Olago: I'. Barr, J. Browu, and W. Green. Southland; H. I'. Spence. The following persons have been nominated ia the remaining districts where elections will take place:—Poverty Bay (one feat), Messrs. A. G. Beore. 11. Austin King, and Christopher Gisborno I 1 ie?~e. ton (three foals): Jk-ssrs. 0. S. Barton, A. T. Clarke, T. Forsyth, and H. C. Tewsley. Marlborough-Nolsoa-Westlaiul (one seat): Messrs. T. Horton and AV. S. Hampton. Canterbury'(two scats);' Messrs. W.' E. Best, C. H. Gilby, and G. AV. Hitlmc. Voting papers in connection with thess districts are now distributed, and aro returnable four days btforo the annual meeting.