So I looked up the ICAI website to see when and when not a practicing cert is needed. Unfortunately Im unable to attached the link in this response as im not a member of this forum for at least five days! Seems a bit strange! I can attach it in 3 days time.
However, Section 5.6 of the CARB document on Public Practice Regulations details when an accountant is not dealing in public practice and therefore a practicing cert is not required. Paragraph G (iii) makes reference to providing accountancy services to family members for a small nominal fee. True in all fairness I mentioned a bigger fee above which is really just a goodwill guesture on my brothers part as his business happens to be something much more substantial than a "part time set up". But this fee can be easily waived as in all honestly I want to help my brothers business to grow. Really the issue is here if i am allowed to provide assistance to my brothers business.
Section 5.6 Extract:
"A member shall not be deemed to be engaged in public practice in the following circumstances: (a) A member who is employed in public practice does not by virtue of his or her employment engage in public practice. (b) A member who acts as a director of companies does not thereby engage in public practice unless one or more of these companies is a public practice. (c) A consultant to a firm providing accountancy services is not engaged in public practice by virtue of his or her consultancy if he or she provides accountancy and related services to the firm and not directly to the clients of the firm. (d) A sub-contractor to a firm providing accountancy services is not engaged in public practice by virtue of his or her sub-contract if he or she provides accountancy and related services under a written agreement indemnifying him or her from risk and in no way holds himself or herself out to be a principal of the firm. (e) A member who is a principal in a firm whose sole purpose is to provide finance or insurance services or computer installation, applications or training. (f) A member who acts as a bookkeeper is not engaged in public practice by virtue of his or her bookkeeping activities alone. (g) A member who gratuitously or for a nominal amount (which is in the nature of expenses): 31 (i) provides accountancy services to a small charitable, community, religious or sporting body, or to similar bodies of a non-profit making nature, whose income is less than €355,000 (£250,000); or (ii) acts as an auditor to a small entity within the definition at (i) above that is not required to be audited by a registered auditor; or (iii) provides accountancy or tax services for family members or friends provided these third parties are aware that the services are not being provided by way of a business and are being provided gratuitously or for a nominal amount (which is in the nature of expenses)."
DB47 - yes I think this is just a UK thing. Not so generous in Ireland however it comes from profit after tax as opposed to a salary which would be tax deductible. Its better in terms of income tax but not corporation tax.