The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India ( ICAI ) has said reiterated that, Fees including Free of Charge should not be Mentioned by Chartered Accountants in any Advertisement of Services.
The ICAI has issued Advisory on Mentioning Fees in Advertisements issued by Members due to certain concerns have been raised by members as to whether it is permissible to advertise the services rendered by them, while also mentioning that Professional Fees with regard to individuals engaged in Community service would be charged lesser than what is usually charged by them/ free of charge basis.
The advertisement of services is generally prohibited vide provisions of Clauses (6) and (7) of Part-I of First Schedule to The Chartered Accountants Act, 1949. However, in accordance with the proviso to Clause (7), the advertisement of services has been permitted vide “write-up”, subject to Guidelines issued by the Council.
The ICAI said that, that mentioning professional Fees for the services rendered is not appearing as a permitted entry under the Advertisement Guidelines.
As the members are further aware, the Website Guidelines of the Institute govern the rules for posting of particulars on the Website of Chartered Accountant(s) in practice and firm(s) of Chartered Accountants in practice. As per S.no. 6(ix) of the Website Guidelines:-
“………Names of clients and fee charged cannot be given.”
“In view of the above provisions, it is clear that the mandate of posting any particular(s) on Firm’s own website or advertisement through write -up cannot exceed the authority granted respectively vide the Website Guidelines and Advertisement Guidelines of the Institute under any circumstances”, the ICAI also said.
The ICAI also clarified that, the quantum of Fees (including free of charge), whatsoever, should not be mentioned by members in any Advertisement of services or posting of particulars.
