any1 not paying subs fees?

DoraExplora

Just wondering if everyone is paying their subscription fees, as given the amount of unemployed accountants out there surely they should at least be reduced!!!

tenchi-fan

DoraExplora wrote: »

Just wondering if everyone is paying their subscription fees, as given the amount of unemployed accountants out there surely they should at least be reduced!!!

Seriously, I'd cancel my mobile phone, internet, nights out, and even go without food for a few days sooner than cancel my subscription. I paid too much and worked too hard over the years to let my membership expire for the sake of €4 a week (or €1.60 for students).

Oh, and FYI I know very few unemployed accountants. The skills you have as an accountant are generally recognised around the world so if Ireland isn't working out, emigrate. Or take an office job to keep yourself ticking over.

Cookie_Monster

I pay em, but claim them back in work as expenses

dbran

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

I pay em, but claim them back in work as expenses

I dont think you can do that any more though. The last budget made professional subs assessable as a BIK.

DoraExplora

sounds like you work for an accountancy body. i know plenty unemployed accountants jst after their training contract, the fees are ridiculously overpriced always have been and in these times should be reduced, or granted grace until accountants actually work in accountant roles. just thought there might have been some leverage out there...but typical accountants! :-)

tenchi-fan

DoraExplora wrote: »

sounds like you work for an accountancy body. i know plenty unemployed accountants jst after their training contract, the fees are ridiculously overpriced always have been and in these times should be reduced, or granted grace until accountants actually work in accountant roles. just thought there might have been some leverage out there...but typical accountants! :-)

You mentioned training contract so obviously you're chartered.. just looked it up and turns out chartered accountants pay double what ACCA members pay.

Oh well, you're paying for the prestige

smcgiff

I thought CAI fees are more like treble ACCA's annual €200 membership fees - the benefits of numbers.

Also, ACCA and I'm fairly certain CAI provide reduced rates for people suffering hardship. ACCA (and probably CAI) has a benevolent fund that can help you get back on your feet, through funded training and the like.

smcgiff

tenchi-fan wrote: »

Seriously, I'd cancel my mobile phone, internet, nights out, and even go without food for a few days sooner than cancel my subscription. I paid too much and worked too hard over the years to let my membership expire for the sake of €4 a week (or €1.60 for students).

Last year a CAI friend of mine in a senior management position was going to cancel his membership. I can't remember if he finally stopped paying. It depends on your career path, after a while the benefits become less significant. It's not as if they can take away your having qualified and passing the requirements to become a member.

Odats

smcgiff wrote: »

Last year a CAI friend of mine in a senior management position was going to cancel his membership. I can't remember if he finally stopped paying. It depends on your career path, after a while the benefits become less significant. It's not as if they can take away your having qualified and passing the requirements to become a member.

AFAIK CAI can take away your membership for non payment. It's somewhere in my handbook and is always in Accountancy Ireland every time we get it the people who have been cancelled for non payment.
This year I paid €303.50 for membership to the Institute. I think they are doing it on a case by case basis now.
Considering I had to buy in last July for nearly €900 it was the least they could do.
Plus don't pay into that benevolent fund. It's an extra €80 that you are not required to pay but is recommended so I didn't pay it to keep down the cost.

smcgiff

Odats wrote: »

AFAIK CAI can take away your membership for non payment.

Absolutely, every body will take away membership for non payment. But after a while the benefits of membership are not so great if you've progressed your career far enough.

But from your post, it looks as if the CAI are willing to compromise which is good. Still higher than the ACCA fee though

DoraExplora

You mentioned training contract so obviously you're chartered.. just looked it up and turns out chartered accountants pay double what ACCA members pay.

Oh well, you're paying for the prestige

No not chartered, and dont think theres prestige attached to them anys.
ACCA member fees are €230 for the year, not to mention cost of CPD €35 a go and the fact you have to take time off work for them!!
ya heard chartered were at least halving the membership cost if ur on reduced days/unemployed ..mayb shud hav joined them

Cookie_Monster

dbran wrote: »

I dont think you can do that any more though. The last budget made professional subs assessable as a BIK.

meh, it went through on expenses for the 2011 fees, they were paid in 2010 however. (I'm not going to complain, will ask next December when renewal rolls around)
it was only the 78(or whatever) gpb student fees too so hardly big money.