Two chartered accountants who are winners of prestigious awards from their professional colleagues have taken over at the top of the York Society of Chartered Accountants.

Keith Ward was formally welcomed as president and Chris Hearld as vice president at the society's annual meeting at the Kilima Hotel, York.

Both have been honoured in the last two years by the West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants (WYSCA), which for historical reasons incorporates the York Society, together with Huddersfield and Bradford Societies.

In 2003, Keith was the winner of the WYSCA Everybody Counts award, in recognition of his work for sports charities locally.

Keith, a partner since 1984 at UHY Calvert Smith Chartered Accountants, York, is taking on the role for the second time, having been president of the society in 1998.

He trained in York and Leeds and before joining Calvert Smith in 1982 worked for the Shepherd Building Group. He received his chain of office from out-going president John Machin, of Creers, York.

Vice president Chris Hearld lives in Wheldrake, and is an audit partner at KPMG, Leeds, which he joined in 1992.

Last year he was the winner of the WYSCA "Rising Star" award for high achievers under the age of 36.

Updated: 10:57 Thursday, May 05, 2005