ACCOUNTANTS' SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20800, 20 August 1929, Page 6

ACCOUNTANTS' SOCIETY.

NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL. TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT. The report of the council of the New Zealand Society of Accountants which will be presented at the twentieth annual general meeting on August 26, states that the membership for the 12 months ended June 30, 1929, was 1824, an increase of four members over the membership for the previous year. The eighteenth annual examinations covering the commercial book-keepers and the professional courses conducted by the University of New Zealand on behalf of the society took place in November last, 1844 candidates sitting for the full examination or to secure or complete sectional passes. Seventy-eight candidates completed the full course at this examination. For the accountants' preliminary examination 941 candidates presented themselves, and of these 461 succeeded in either completing the examination or gaining a sectional pass. For the commercial book-keepers’ examination 1130 candidates presented themselves, and of these 132 •succeeded in gaining a complete pass, thereby becoming entitled to registration as commercial book-keepers. The usual examination for certificate of proficiency in book-keeping accounts, business organisation, and methods, was held in November last in conjunction with the professional examination conducted by the University of New Zealand, 189 candidates presenting themselves at this examination. Of these 45 passed, the percentage of passes being 23.81. At the meeting of the council in August. 1928, an application was received from the Otago University for a special grant, and the council decided to allocate the sum of £SO for this purpose. Grants to assist commercial tuition were also made to the Palmerston North Technical School and the Timaru Technical School. The council at its forthcoming meeting would consider a report dealing with amendments to the society's syllabus ot examination. The main alteration suggested by the report dealt with the subject of book-keeping and accounts and the proposal was to divide this subject into three stages, and not more than one stage could be taken in any one year. The amendment would not take effect until after 1931. With the object of endeavouring to raise the status of the profession of accountancy and incidentally to assist the members of the society, the council caused a letter, under the signature of the president, to be emulated to all employers of clerical labour in the Dominion. This letter set out the aims and objects of the society, gave a resume of the subjects of examination, and appealed to employers to recognise the efficient services rendered to them by members of the society. A further letter addressed by the president to all public accountants was also sent out. This letter urged the joint co-operation of public and registered members in matters of common interest and asked public accountants wherever possible to advise their clients to fill executive and accountancy positions on their staff by the appointment of members of the society. Next year would mark the twenty-first anniversary of the society, and the council has resolved to hold a convention along the lines of the convention held during February, 1925. In order to provide for a portion of the expenses of the convention, the council resolved to set aside the sum of £250 in this year’s accounts. With a view to fostering interest in and assisting the smaller centres of the Dominion, the council Has authorised the Executive Committee to approve of suggested lecturers and grant the payment of the expenses of suitable members in the city districts to enable such members to deliver addresses and lectures in the smaller centres when invited to do so. The accounts of the Benevolent Fund showed credits to the capital account of £6250. and to the income account of £932 16s 8a —a total of £7182 15s Bd. It would be seen that the relief granted during the past 12 months was larger than in any previous 12 months, and it could safely be said that the fund was affording relief in the many cases which were brought under the notice of the trustees. During the year the Investigation Committee dealt with a complaint made against a public accountant alleging gross carelessness, neglect, or. incapacity shown in the performance of duties undertaken in connection with the audit of a solicitor’s trust aoeout. The decision of the. Investigation Committee, which decision was confirmed by the council, was to the effect that the member concerned be suspended from membership of the society for a period of two years. The accounts of the society showed that the policy of the council to assist students’ societies by monetary gifts had been continued. In accordance with the regulations of the society, the following members of the council retired:—Auckland. Mr J. M, Elliffe: Hawke’s Bay, Mr L. A. Denton; Wellington, Mr E. \V‘. Hunt; Canterbury, Mr W. A. Smith; Otago, Mr Peter Barr; Southland, Mr F A. Webb. Messrs Elliffe, Hunt, and Smith had been reelected unopposed, while Messrs Barr and Webb did not seek re-election. To represent the Otago district only one nomination, that of Mr T. G. Brickell, Was received, and, therefore, Mr Brickell was elected unopposed. For the Southland district two nominations had been received, Mr R. S. MTnnes and Mr J. B. Reid, and voting papers had been forwarded to members resident in Southland. In the audited accounts for the period under review the income and expenditure account showed a surplus for the year of £377 4s 6d, and the accumulated fund now stood at £4820 0s Id. 1