• Key topics

    Key topics

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    • Future of accounting

      The future of accounting: 11 big shifts on the horizon

      AI agents, advisory roles, carbon accounting and cybercrime: AAT accountants and bookkeepers predict

    • Sustainable Business

      Developing, measuring and delivering ESG policy at accountancy firms

      The importance of partnerships, strategy and skills when it comes to implementing ESG strategies.

    • Mental health

      Top tips for practising self-kindness while you study

      Self-criticism can increase stress, anxiety and procrastination, however, self-compassion helps buil

    • Accountable campaign

      Enforcing professional standards vital to compliant accountants and their small business clients

      Why we are so enthusiastic about the prospect of accountability for all tax agents.

    • Artificial intelligence

      Should accountants be worried about AI this tax season?

      Over half of UK taxpayers plan to use AI to complete their self-assessment tax return. Do accountant

    • Cryptocurrency

      Blockchain uses in accountancy

      Many are aware of blockchain in the context of cryptocurrency, but it has practical applications for

    • More
      • Brexit

        How accountants are managing complex customs requirements for clients

        Confusing customs procedures are causing a headache for the accountants supporting and guiding small

      • News

        And the winners are

        We're proud that our members' hard work is being recognised. Here's what happened at the Accounting

      • IR35

        New off-payroll IR35 proposals are welcome, and not before time

        Susan Ball, RSM and President of CIOT discusses proposed options to offset tax.

      • Coronavirus

        “HMRC’s focus on making life easier for agents is very welcome”

        How accountants feel about HMRC’s transformation roadmap.

      • Coronavirus help
  • Members

    Members

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    • Members in business

      The Government’s Industrial Strategy update

      What’s been announced, and which areas AAT members should know about.

    • Becoming licensed

      Protect yourself from expense fraud

      'Insider threat' fraud is on the rise. Here's how you can protect yourself, your company or your cli

    • Bookkeepers

      How salary overpayments can impact accounting and bookkeeping

      Unidentified monthly salary overpayments cause headaches for payroll departments and accountants ali

    • AT magazine

      AT magazine

      Accounting Technician is AAT's award-winning magazine for members. Check out the latest issue to sta

    • CPD

      How to get the most from your CPD

      Whether you’re currently studying with AAT or a professional member, you’ll understand the impor

  • Career

    Career

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    • Career profiles

      “Studying AAT gave us a career in finance we never thought we’d get”

      Five AAT apprentices and trainees at Worcestershire County Council explain why they choose to learn

    • Job hunting

      5 myths about starting a new job

      How do you distinguish true pearls of wisdom from unhelpful opinions?

    • CV tips

      13 of the biggest CV red flags that won’t land you an interview

      The average recruiter or hiring manager spends six to eight seconds looking at a CV before they deci

    • Interview tips

      What questions should you ask at an interview?

      It's a pivotal point in the interview, the tables are turned and you’re asked if you have any ques

    • Industry careers

      Modern roles – is Finance Business Partner for you?

      We look at the emerging role of Finance Business Partner in the modern accounting industry.

    • Practice careers

      Don’t just attract clients – attract the right clients

      When setting up practice, attracting new clients is essential. So how picky should you be?

  • Students

    Students

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    • Study tips

      Study Smart, Not Hard: Ten Tips for Accountancy Students

      Ace your way through revision, work-life balance, study techniques and CPD with these proven tips. L

    • Level 2

      Study tips: Understanding supply and demand

      Have you ever wondered why you pay the price for things that you do?  Why a bottle of shampoo c

    • Level 3

      Study tips: Understanding supply and demand curves (advanced level)

      The concept of supply and demand explains interactions between suppliers and consumers in a market.�

    • Level 4

      What is data analytics, and how is it used in business?

      Organisations and individuals around the world create enormous amounts of data on a daily basis.  L

    • Mental health

      Top tips for practising self-kindness while you study

      Self-criticism can increase stress, anxiety and procrastination, however, self-compassion helps buil

  • Resources

    Resources

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    • Tax

      Should accountants be worried about AI this tax season?

      Over half of UK taxpayers plan to use AI to complete their self-assessment tax return. Do accountant

    • Financial accounting and reporting

      Difficulties affecting the SME audit market

      Audits have many benefits, providing detailed overviews of business health. However, ISAs are hard t

    • Pensions and payroll

      What do accountancy students need to know about UK payroll compliance?

      From common PAYE terms to National Insurance contributions, here are some of the things that AAT stu

    • Excel tips

      Excel tips: Avoid mistakes with protect sheet

      Have you ever been working on a spreadsheet and got distracted... and before you know it, you’ve o

    • AAT Annual report
    • AML explained 

      AML made easy – the seven golden rules of successful compliance 

      Be in the know about anti-money laundering. Our explainer tells you all you need to know to get star

Michael Steed

Michael is a tax expert and lecturer serving as the current AAT President for 2024/25. Michael has been a columnist for Accounting Technician magazine at AAT Comment in the past offering his personal, expert perspectives at the time.

Tax reform

How tax could change and what the effects could be for AAT members

Tax expert Michael Steed looks at possible trends how they might affect AAT accountants.

Tax

Steed on… What do you know about OpRA?

Optional remuneration arrangements (OpRAs, formerly known as salary sacrifice schemes) are changing. New rules came in from April 2017, and could result in some employees losing out.

News

Steed on… Tax law is out of tune with the gig economy

In a simple world, employment rights and tax would overlap, and a self-employed worker would know for certain how they’d be treated in terms of both.

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