To ask for help with possible qualification fraud?

[Shambu]

I've discovered a relation of a close family member is promoting himself to his clients as having an Hons degree he does not have.

I've known him for 20 years, and his qualification was a much lower status one which he didn't finish.

It is featured on his email on all communication with clients.

How would I find out? I contacted the institution to find out if they offered that course at the time, but I cannot make a request for specific information without his being informed.

I’d be amazed if someone giving tax advice in the name of a firm is not having peer reviews

Your summary is absolutely spot on BigChoc.

He has also been sued for mistakes - but we don't how common this is at his firm if it is uncommon, was he given any official warnings or reprimands by them ? Do you know this, OP ?

This is something I have wondered. Without knowing anyone else in the field I don't know how common it is to get sued. It's possible that he was reprimanded but I don't think he's ever had a formal warning.

Can you tell us some vague detail; the specialism (e.g. Accountant / Engineer), the Industry (e.g. Retail / Insurance / Transport), the original qualification type (e.g. NVQ) as that will really help without being outing.

I really can't it's too outing. I just need to talk to someone in r/l who works in that field.

Literally nothing will come of this. Except maybe you falling out with your sister.

Even is he is guilty of not having the qualifications, your sister won't listen because there's nothing to suggest people would fine out. It's a risk she's willing to take...

Therec will almost certainly be someone on mumsnet with experience in that field.

As PP said, your sister won't do anything.

So, what next. Do you want your sister to leave him? Might a post about their relationship on the relationships board get you better advice for that?

Yes. But. anyone can offer advice on tax, do your tax return.

OP lots of professions that you think are regulated are not.

Lots of industries have roles that you would not automatically associate with them. For example I know 5 people who work in insurance, only 2 of the 5 have roles that are specific to insurance. Off those 2 only one requires specific qualifications.

Caco you had better tell the ICAEW, ACCA, ICAS etc that their members have been giving tax advice inappropriately then. You do not need to be CTA qualified to give tax advice. You would be stupid to take tax advice from someone who is not a member of an appropriate professional body, but that isn't just those who are CTA.

X post. No, the accountancy & tax professional bodies don't require any proof of a degree, as membership is based on a minimum of 3 years of tough professional exams and practical experience. A degree is not required.

I’m still confused- an honours degree doesn’t qualify you for anything does it? Half the country has one (slight exaggeration)

I don't understand why you have bothered posting in the first place, as you won't specify the profession. There are 1000s of people across the country in the professions mentioned in one of the earliest posts. Professional qualifications trump a degree, as Pass says. It sounds as though you just don't like your BIL and have latched onto his email signature without really knowing very much about the world he operates within.

an honours degree doesn’t qualify you for anything does it?

Depends on the degree I guess. Some include a professional qualification within them. Just one example but an Education degree may well include QTS, but not always. The QTS is the element which qualifies you to teach.

Hmm Agree but I think that makes it even more unlikely that’s what he’s done. For example I am a chartered accountant- there are a few degrees which include a chartered qualification, but you’d have to have a fair amount of knowledge to find them.

It’s not say, “BA business and accountancy (hons)” that qualifies you. It’s the BA business and accountancy degree at university of Newcastle with the bolt on qualification*. So you’d be “BA business and accountancy (Hons) ACMA”

So it’s still not the degree that qualifies you and it takes a certain amount of research to find the right degree that I would imagine is beyond most people to even think about tbh

*made that up can’t remember which uni it is

I have a degree in social science. I qualified as a lawyer whilst working. I’m now working towards a trust practitioner qualification (am exempt from most exams as have c years experience, a degree and a relevant professional qualification).

My degree doesn’t qualify me for anything. Other than to prove to my first employer that I could study to a certain level.

If Bil is eg an accountant you can go onto websites of ACCA/ ACA/ICAEW and search for his name. Similarly the solicitors regulation authority will tell you if he’s a qualified solicitor.

The FCA will let you look up regulated persons (if they have a controlling function in the organisation)

The trouble is that although many people may have an understanding of the difference between having, let's say, a degree in Psychology and being a Chartered Psychologist, many do not. Anyone purporting to have a Psychology degree, would be accepted by some people as having a level of expertise which they don't, in fact, possess. It's like

Usually to be accepted into a professional body you will have to provide details and I’m sure they have direct lines to universities.

But that's not true is it?
You can become a qualified accountant in ACA, ACCA, any other, without a degree.
Many qualify without going to Uni.

But the fact someone claims to have a degree Is indeed different, and the issue here.

Plus many many people are experienced in tax, or accounting, and may offer a very very good service, do your Accounts and tax return and deal with all your affairs without being qualified or a member of a professional body.

ICAEW or ACA? Eh?

Wonder if, once OP Dobbs the Bil in, if Sister is grateful.

Me thinks not.

Posted too soon! It's like lying about having a qualification which, even if it were true, would probably not, of itself, qualify you to do the job, although many would be taken in.

Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales

Association of Chartered Accountants

ACCA - Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (I think). Dh is a member of this one.

@Oblomov19 - it is completely relevant actually, because if he got an ACCA qualification he could convert it to Oxford-Brookes Hons. Then he is genuinely an Hons even though he didn't complete his first degree 20 years ago.

Is OP going to TELL sister?
"If You dont do it, I will".

If Bil has worked for this Employer for say 20 years, and even despite being sued, twice, they haven't put him on a Disciplinary Improvement Plan,
Do you honestly imagine they are gonna? In the immediate future?

Most people don't care. You're either Chartered or Certified.