Have-a-go Harry was fed up with the tedious requirements of his sales job. There had to be an easier way.
“I know”, he said to himself one day, “I’ll be a Doctor. It doesn’t look that difficult. Sitting at a computer, seeing people and writing prescriptions. People like my smile. I get on well with people. People trust me. I will soon build up a large practice, earn a good living and have respect in the community. I might make the odd medical mistake but, hey, I’ll be able to talk my way out of it.”
But Have-a-go Harry found that he could not become a Doctor. In this country you are not allowed to call yourself a Doctor unless you have passed difficult exams, signed up to professional and ethical standards and registered with the relevant body so that your conduct can be regulated. That all sounded like too much hard work, and as for ethical standards…well, Have-a-go Harry wanted the freedom to act as he saw fit. Ethical standards…who needs them!
No, being a Doctor wasn’t for him.
“I know”, he said. “I’ll be a Solicitor. It doesn’t look difficult. I’ve read a law book – I think I’ll be able to remember most of the stuff I need to know. People like my smile. I get on well with people. People trust me. I will soon build up a large practice, earn a good living and have respect in the community. I might make the odd legal mistake but, hey, I’ll be able to talk my way out of it.”
But Have-a-go Harry found that he could not become a Solicitor. In this country you are not allowed to call yourself a Solicitor unless you have passed difficult exams, signed up to professional and ethical standards and registered with the relevant body so that your conduct can be regulated. That all sounded like too much hard work, and as for ethical standards…well, Have-a-go Harry wanted the freedom to act as he saw fit. Ethical standards…who needs them!
No, being a Solicitor was not for him.
“I know”, he said. “I’ll be an Accountant. It doesn’t look difficult. I’ve read an accountancy book – I think I’ll be able to remember most of the stuff I need to know. People like my smile. I get on well with people. People trust me. I will soon build up a large practice, earn a good living and have respect in the community. I might make the odd accounting or tax mistake but, hey, I’ll be able to talk my way out of it.”
And………….
Have-a-go Harry is out there now…….
Having a go at Accountancy…….
In this country anyone can call themselves an Accountant, set up a practice and advertise accountancy services.
…..Frightening……
I am in the process of taking on a new client who has previously been looked after by the likes of Have-a-go Harry.
The client is distraught. HMRC are chasing tax bills on duplicated profits. Accounts and tax returns will need to be re-worked and re-submitted. Explanations will need to be given to HMRC and a completely different pattern (the correct pattern) of events set out.
The degree of incompetence shown by the previous “accountant” is shocking.
And yet the client told me this “accountant” was recommended by another happy client. Apparently Have-a-go Henry’s clients like the low fees and the way everything just seems to get done without fuss………… until the wheels come off that is.