Taxsoft may quit ICA scheme

One of the original members of the English ICA’s accreditation scheme for business and accounting software is set to pull out amid concern over the cost of registering products with the institute.

The scheme was criticised by the software industry two years ago over claims it was neither rigorous nor reasonably priced and that products not meeting all the necessary criteria were nevertheless accredited.

The scheme, administered by the Accountancy Business Group, the institute’s commercial arm, rejected the criticisms last year, but revamped the scheme to make it clear that the institute was not recommending the software to buyers. Of more than 180 UK business software developers, just 16 still have products accredited with the institute.

Now, Taxsoft, the first tax software house to be accredited, has said it may pull out.

MD Robin Cooke-Hurle said: ‘The institute’s research found only 1.2% of software users rely on the scheme to select products. And it is not cheap to register. It should be a great scheme, but the institute is too cautious about setting up serious criteria.’

Brian Kearvell-White, who administers the ABG scheme, said: ‘I am meeting Taxsoft to discuss the cost of membership. They want to talk to me about whether or not it is worthwhile.’