Practising Certificates are valid for the Calendar year or the balance of the calendar year for which they are issued and must be applied for annually after the initial grant. Members must comply with the Public Practice Regulations:
Public Practice Regulations
Practice
Practice is the provision of services including accounting and related services for which the relevant skills have been acquired by a member by reason of his or her training and qualification, to persons other than his or her employer.
A member engages in practice when he or she provides or holds him or herself out to provide such services to the public either personally or through a firm.
Examples of some of the more common reasons for requiring a PC include:
- becoming a principal in an accountancy firm;
- independently offering accountancy or related services to the public;
- being an insolvency licence holder; or
- an employee responsible individual under the audit regulations.
Where there is any doubt regarding whether you would be considered to be in practice, please contact the Institute.
The PC does not of itself convey the right to practice in the reserved areas of insolvency or audit.
Practising without a PC may result in disciplinary action. See our investigatory/disciplinary information.
How do I apply?
Application forms for Practising Certificates and Guidance can be downloaded below or obtained from the Institute:
Contact us
Any enquiries regarding PCs or PII should be addressed to rrichardson@icas.org.uk or 0131 347 0286.