ICAI Membership Fees

SyncMaster1

Hi all

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but here goes!

I’ve just recently qualified as an accountant i.e. finished my exams and completed my training contract. Just the little matter now of writing up the CA diary and furnishing the institute with a cheque for €877. The practice I work for now has a policy of not paying the subscriptions/membership fees for its qualified accountants leaving it up to the individuals to pay it themselves.

When I checked my employment contract it says “We will also pay your professional subscriptions and all educational expenses relating to your qualification that fall due while working with us” Does that not mean they are obliged to pay these fees?

Is this typical among other accountancy firms?

dbran

Hi

Most firms do pay your subs for you. But there are some mean spirited ones who do not. It depends on the firm.

Kind Regards

dbran

timo87

Did you sign any waiver or consent when they changed their policy?

SyncMaster1

No, they didn't get us to sign anything I just know they have been refusing anyone who has asked for their subs to be paid

timo87

Well if its a term of your contract then your entitled to it.

I'd imagine the firm would have leverage over most employees in that they could be let go if they complained.
If your qualified and your leaving then this shouldn't effect you.

Your entitled to it, just depends on how much your willing to push for it.

Odats

Employers market at the moment they can do what they want and put you on the dole in no time if they want. It's alot of money and I have to pay it out of my own pocket as well. Plus we have to pay another subscription in Jan which is another €700-€800 odd so not looking forward to it.

boardswalker

SyncMaster1 wrote: »

When I checked my employment contract it says “We will also pay your professional subscriptions and all educational expenses relating to your qualification that fall due while working with us” Does that not mean they are obliged to pay these fees?

Was that your employment contract or your training contract?
When you qualified, was your contract updated/amended in any way?

SyncMaster1

That line was from my employment contract. My employment contract was just extended after I qualified there was no amendments save for a few extra euros in pay. TBH I probably will be leaving in the next few months and if I could get these guys to pay this it would be all the sweeter! but if they refuse to pay it what can I do? I don't want to leave on bad terms but I do feel I am entitled to that

EDudder

I would ask to talk to your manager/HR in person and show them your contract. Just talk quite frankly but not necessarily on the offensive, and point out the part of the contract that say's your entitled to it and the fact that you haven't signed another contract since.

If they sacked you anytime shortly after this meeting I think they'd be putting themselves in a pretty bad place legally. You can't sack someone for asking for what they were promised in their contract.