Championing education at AAT’s Training Provider Awards 2025 Posted 03/17/2025 by Cat Hall & filed under Community, Members, Training providers. Celebrating the talent and achievements in the accountancy education sector. AAT celebrated exceptional achievements across the accountancy education sector at a special event held on Thursday night (13 March 2025) in Solihull. The AAT Training Provider Awards, now in their ninth year, recognise the life-changing excellence of AAT’s training provider partners who teach more than 65,000 AAT learners studying towards AAT qualifications every year. “These awards showcase the transformative power of vocational accountancy education. The winners demonstrate how dedicated training providers are innovating and supporting student success in remarkable ways with AAT’s qualifications – opening doors to rewarding careers for more people from more backgrounds.” Claire Bennison, Executive Director of Customer, Partnerships and Innovation, AAT What a training provider does For those of you who haven’t worked with one, a training provider provides training either through AAT qualifications or through an apprenticeship, providing support for both students and employers throughout their learning journey. Training providers are an invaluable source to assist employers by supplying top talent to fill both staff and apprenticeship vacancies. They’re a brilliant and invaluable resource for employers and students alike. Our winners Apprentice of the Year – Liam Wild (The Growth Company/Savills) Liam has progressed rapidly from 17-year-old apprentice to lead client accountant. He’s also completed his AAT studies and is advancing through ACCA. He mentors new apprentices joining the business, and has advocated to property industry bodies on the benefits of hiring AAT apprentices. Distance Learning Training Provider of the Year – Premier Training, and Special Recognition Award – Alan Dawson (Premier Training) Premier Training in Lincolnshire received double recognition, winning Distance Learning Training Provider of the Year while their long-serving tutor Alan Dawson was surprised with the Special Recognition Award. The provider was celebrated for achieving consecutive 100% pass rates for Level 2 assessments and expanding social mobility through free AAT courses for school pupils and partnerships with homelessness charities. Alan Dawson has mentored thousands of students, authored over 50 study manuals and embraces technology while planning innovative outreach work with local schools. So it was perhaps unsurprising, but very moving, when he received a standing ovation for his 19-year contribution to AAT education. International Training Provider of the Year – System & Skills Training Concepts. Malaysia The provider trained nearly 300 ethnic Bumiputera students with an 80% pass rate. To address language barriers, the provider ran workshops dedicated to improving English language skills and digital capabilities. It supported students by developing a dual qualification programme to enable government loan access, among other measures. Tutor of the Year – Faye Hill (Chesterfield College) It’s no wonder Faye’s students consistently achieve excellent results. She has developed workplace readiness initiatives, including vacancy page and employer workshops. She’s also pioneered development sessions with local accountancy firms on career pathways and workplace skills. Faye has also successfully supported more than 20 Ukrainian students in developing employability skills. Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year – Starting Off Large Training Provider of the Year – Kaplan Medium Training Provider of the Year – New College Durham Small Training Provider of the Year – Bexhill College Student of the Year – Katy Hickey (e-Careers Ltd)
Government apprenticeship criteria and End Point Assessment review Posted 03/13/2025 by Cat Hall & filed under Apprenticeships, Employers, Members. The Department for Education recently announced changes to apprenticeships. Here’s what employers should know. The Department for Education (DfE) recently relaxed its requirements for adult learners doing apprenticeships, and will amend assessments too. The changes Functional skills Previously, learners had to complete a Level 2 English and Maths qualification (equivalent to a GCSE) before they could pass their apprenticeship course. Now businesses will be able to decide if those requirements are necessary for their apprentices over the age of 19. Minimum duration Some apprenticeships will be shortened, with certain course durations reducing from 12 months to eight. However, the details have yet to be confirmed. Apprenticeship assessment The assessment process will be streamlined by enabling more design and delivery flexibility. In some cases, this will include: assessment taking place on-programme training providers delivering elements of the assessment, though End-point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs) will continue to shape assessments and validate outcomes EPAOs focusing on essential knowledge and skills over separately assessing behaviours already reported by employers. Training Provider payments At the moment, providers must submit overlapping data via both the ILR and Apprenticeship Service account to receive funding for apprenticeship training. From August 2-25, the DfE will reduce data duplication. What this means Details of these changes are yet to be legislated. That means we’re not yet certain of exactly how apprenticeship recruitment and delivery will be affected. Preliminary details are available here. We are committed to working closely with our partners and stakeholders to understand how changes will be implemented, and communicate and collaborate effectively. Our reaction AAT welcomes actions simplify and increase accessibility of apprenticeships, while maintaining the quality of opportunities and career outcomes for both employers and learners. The recent announcement leaves a few unanswered questions, including how EPAOs, employers and training providers work together to ensure the best outcomes for apprentices. We look forward to working with the Department and Skills England to help achieve this.
4 ways to simplify accounting compliance Posted 03/12/2025 by Xero & filed under Tax. This content is brought to you by Xero. Accounting compliance can feel more difficult with every passing year. Accounting practices, and their clients, have to adjust to regulatory changes, software requirements (like MTD for IT, for example), and even evolving client needs just to remain compliant – and avoid some hefty fines or penalties. Accounting software for accountants and bookkeepers, like Xero, can help modern practices simplify and streamline compliance work so you’ve got more time to focus on your clients, and other areas of your business. Here’s four ways to simplify accounting compliance in your practice. Automate compliance to professional auditing standards Software with automation features isn’t the technology of tomorrow; it’s the technology of now. No longer does your practice need to spend countless hours repeating basic administrative tasks, or risk making mistakes when you’re doing them. Modern software solutions can automate compliance tasks, saving you time, and ensuring you’re keeping your processes in line with UK and international standards, like UK GAAP and IFRS. If you’re looking for software that does just that, try Xero. Xero software automates tax calculations, giving you access to proper audit trails, and helping you generate financial statements and reports. So, it’s easy to meet professional auditing standards without the headache of managing tonnes of admin you might not have time for. Stop clients from adopting bad accounting practices Educating your clients about poor accounting practices is the simplest way to ensure they’re remaining compliant. Many of your clients will have too much already to manage, and might not always have time to research the rules and regulations on compliance themselves. Explain the importance of accurate accounting, teach them how to scrutinise source documents in order to identify red flags, and regularly review client processes so you can provide feedback on their daily operations. Although, Xero can make this even simpler. Xero allows users to create customisable permissions, so only the right transaction information is imported, which can limit the amount of manual admin in payroll, tax, and accounts preparation to reduce human error. Secure sensitive data with cloud protection Keeping your client’s data safe and secure is something you can’t afford to get wrong. If your practice keeps files in desktop storage or software, it can be easier to lose, and harder to find. It can also mean access to files is depending on specific devices, which might not necessarily have the same security measures. Tracking, organising, and securing data spread across multiple systems and devices is tricky, but also unnecessary. If you use cloud-based accounting software instead, you’ll find you have access to a far more secure and reliable system to store sensitive data. Such data can be accessed from any device, providing you have an internet connection, and the right permissions. Stay up-to-date with evolving regulation Keeping up with ever-changing rules and regulations has been a constant challenge for most accounting and bookkeeping practices. Reading up on legislation, subscribing to newsletters, attending webinars, and more just to stay up to date. Cloud-based software can help take some of the burden off your hands, with feature updates that make it easier to meet new requirements. Xero Tax, for example, is automatically updated in line with new regulations. So, you can comply with the latest tax requirements as and when they come into place – without all the heavy administrative lifting. Make compliance simple with Xero Simplifying compliance doesn’t just make compliance easier, it makes everything else your practice is working on easier, too. Which, in turn, will give your practice more time to offer enhanced services beyond compliance like advisory services, allowing you to better nurture your working relationships, and help your clients plan for the years ahead. Cloud-based accountancy software, like Xero, can offer you the streamlined compliance workflow your practice deserves. If you’re not yet a Xero partner, visit our Xero Partner Programme where you can find out more about becoming a partner and join over 250,000 accountants and bookkeepers using Xero in their practice. Get the tools and resources you need to succeed. If you’re not yet a Xero partner, visit our Xero Partner Programme where you can find out more about becoming a partner and join over 250,000 accountants and bookkeepers using Xero in their practice. Get the tools and resources you need to succeed. This content is brought to you by Xero.
How else can HMRC cut red tape for businesses? Posted 03/10/2025 by Mark Rowland & filed under Members. Accountants and bookkeepers discuss the administrative burdens they would like to see HMRC scrap. The Government has scrapped plans that would have required businesses to report employee working hours to HMRC from April 2025/26. These plans were unpopular among businesses as they’d have created additional administrative, regulatory and financial pressures. Fortunately the Government has decided against them, in an attempt to ‘reduce red tape’. Under the now-scrapped plans, businesses would have needed to complete PAYE returns via real-time reporting, providing detailed information about employees’ paid working hours as part of the Finance Act 2024. The legislation was intended to improve the accuracy of information and help HMRC with decisions around tax, policy and compliance. Although businesses are already required to report on employees working hours via RTI, this primarily relates to a range – or category – of hours, whereas the changes would have required businesses to report on the actual hours worked. Ditching these plans is a step in the right direction, but how else can HMRC reduce red tape and cut the administrative burden for businesses? We put the question to accountants and bookkeepers. Save time by digitising paper applications for agent codes Björgvin Vigfússon, CGMA MAAT, Director, Heights Accountancy With all the talk about Making Tax Digital, as a new practice owner, I can’t understand why in order to apply for an agent code for corporation tax, self-assessment tax and VAT I need to send in a paper copy application to HMRC. The whole process can take about two months: 40 working days for HMRC to review and respond to the application 10 working days for the letter authorising these services to arrive 10 more working days for another letter authorising agents to act on behalf of their first client. An online portal with status updates on ongoing queries would be very helpful. It would save agents spending up to an hour waiting on the phone only to be told there’s no update on their case. Verdict: Digital applications for agent codes would make the process of setting up your own practice easier and quicker – and would be in the spirit of Making Tax Digital. Better record-keeping would save time and effort Karen Chugg, FMAAT AATQB, Owner, Phoenix Bookkeeping HMRC needs to keep better records and fix issues when they’re first raised. The self-assessment and self-employment records are not linked and HMRC often remove Class 2 NIC as the person is not registered for self-employment. The accountant then has to contact HMRC, sometimes spending hours on the phone, or even months waiting for a letter. As it stands, we have to take action annually because HMRC will add Class 2 for only one year and remove it again the following year. For one client alone, I have sent in three CWF1 forms and HMRC still removes Class 2 every year. It would also help if HMRC were to put the client name on VAT penalty letters. At the moment, only the registration number is shown and we have to look up the client each time. One simple action from them, to insert a placeholder with the client name, would help us so much. Verdict: Better record keeping by HMRC would mean we don’t have to keep sending in CWF1 forms every year. Simplified systems and real-time reconciliation would save hours Nick Robinson, Managing Director, Yorkshire Accountancy Ltd The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) is a nightmare. Contractors must verify subcontractors, deduct tax at source, and submit monthly returns, while subcontractors often overpay tax and wait months for refunds. A simpler PAYE-style system would remove a huge burden from construction businesses and I think that has to be a massive time saver. HMRC’s systems often don’t match what businesses have actually filed, leading to incorrect PAYE underpayment letters and VAT adjustments requiring manual input, defeating the purpose of Making Tax Digital. A proper real-time reconciliation system would prevent hours of wasted time chasing non-existent errors. At present, businesses need multiple logins for VAT, PAYE, corporation tax, and self-assessment. Why? A single login for all tax services would make life much easier. Finally, businesses regularly receive statements demanding payments of a few pence, and sometimes even refunds of under £1. A simple £5 de minimis rule would cut pointless admin for everyone and save HMRC systems a lot of time and effort. Verdict: Simplified systems and full digitalisation would mean errors could be corrected in real-time. The extra red tape for first-time R&D claims is a barrier for businesses Stef Fielding, Tax Director, Sapphire Accounting It used to be possible to make a simple R&D claim within a corporation tax return. Now, a first-time claimant must submit a notification of their intention to claim and an additional information form setting out the particulars of their claim, in addition to the tax return. Adding these requirements drives up the cost of completing an R&D claim which can be problematic in itself. Additionally, HMRC’s strict application of some fairly arbitrary time limits for submitting these documents means that many businesses are excluded from being able to claim for qualifying R&D activity, simply because the administrative process may not have been completed correctly. Verdict: Extra red tape around new R&D claims could be scrapped.
Driving gender equality in accounting Posted 03/07/2025 by Marianne Curphey & filed under Members, Women in finance. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is Accelerate Action. Here’s how AAT is helping to do just that. International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, on 8 March, calls to #AccelerateAction for gender equality in all areas of life. According to the World Economic Forum, achieving full gender parity could take until 2158. In the United States, McKinsey & Company estimates equal pay will take nearly 50 years. This highlights the systemic barriers women face in both personal and professional spheres. In spite of these continued negative headlines, here in the UK we’re seeing some early signs of positivity. When the FTSE Women Leaders Review started in 2011, 9.5% of FTSE 350 board members were women. Since then, British business has worked to increase this representation to 43.4% of board members among FTSE 350 companies, and 30.5% of board members in the 50 largest companies in the UK. Additional barriers But why are women still being paid less and advancing at a slower rate in their careers than men? The McKinsey report identifies foundational issues, in that women are less likely than men to be hired into entry-level roles. Underrepresented from the start, they are then far less likely than men to attain their first promotion to a manager role. Added to this, the majority of women still carry the greater burden of home and care duties. On the positive side, one of the more positive changes from the pandemic has been increased flexibility in the workplace, which particularly benefits women or anyone with caring responsibilities to combine their careers with a more manageable work-life balance. Companies struggling with the skills shortage should take note: the McKinsey report also found that companies that provided critical support for employees who are parents, caregivers, or managing health challenges, benefited from higher rates of employee retention. Female leadership in finance FTSE 100 companies are still lagging when it comes to women in leadership roles. Female board members have risen only a little from 42.6% in 2023 to 44.7% in January 2025. And only 10 of their CEOs are women and 24 CFOs, according to figures compiled by EY. Smaller company boards are more equitable, according to government figures. The number of women Finance Directors in FTSE 350 companies has increased from 48 in 2023 to 57 in 2024 (22%). Representation in accountancy A recent Accountancy Age survey (published December 2024) found that the UK accounting profession has made signals toward gender diversity, with 83 firms reporting a dedicated diversity, equity and inclusion policy in place. However, the number of firms with female leaders within the UK’s top 100 accounting firms has dropped 20% to 12. Forvis Mazars reported the highest proportion of female partners (29%), followed by RSM (28%). Among the Big Four, only PwC provided figures, reporting 27% of partners were female. And although women constitute nearly half of all qualified accountants, none of the UK’s Big Four accounting firms—PwC, Deloitte, EY, and KPMG—had a female senior partner or chair in 2023. However, in 2024 EY appointed Anna Anthony as its new UK managing partner. What is being done Steps are being taken to address and reduce the gender pay gap in finance. The Women in Finance Charter, established by HM Treasury, commits firms to supporting the progression of women into senior roles in the financial services sector by focusing on the executive pipeline and the mid-tier level. AAT is a signatory to the charter, as are other finance and accounting firms including ICAEW, KPMG and Mazars, among many others. Women are leading the charge at AAT When AAT signed up to the Charter in November 2016, 30% of senior management was female. Now female leadership is evident at the very top of AAT, from CEO Sarah Beale to our Executive Leadership Team (66% female) and Senior Leadership Team (75% female). Our AAT gender and ethnicity pay gap reports are available here. Having reported a negative (-0.2%) mean gender pay gap in 2022 (a pay gap in favour of women), in 2023 the mean gap increased to 3.1% and the median pay gap rose to 17.3%. Notably, since these reports were compiled, we’ve increased the number of women in our leadership teams. Ethnicity pay gap reporting is not currently mandatory, but AAT hopes it will become so. Clarissa Valiquette, Customer Experience Director at AAT, says, “One of the many things that attracted me to AAT when I joined in 2023 was the strong representation of female leadership. Throughout my career, the best managers I had were women who knew how to get the right performance out of me, while still being supportive, so I was keen to maintain that streak. “Having such strong women in leadership positions also attracts complementary male leaders who are driven and well-balanced, a combination that creates an unbeatable, inclusive culture, right from the top. And happy employees make happy customers, so it’s win-win.” Pay in accounting AAT’s Salary Survey consistently shows that men in the accountancy industry report receiving pay rises more often than women. In 2023, among members of AAT (FMAATs), male accountants earned an average salary of £38,500 with £1,500 in bonuses, while women only earned £35,000, with £1,350 in bonus payments. Taken over a four-year period from 2019 to 2023, men’s gross salary has risen by 28%, while women’s salary has risen by 23%. Overall, though, the majority of FMAAT accountants felt satisfied with their job (75% for men and 76% for women.) Hours and support Ruth Stuart, AAT’s Strategy & Planning Director, says, “When I first saw the role advertised, I was excited about the opportunity, but knew I’d need a flexible working arrangement to enable me to care for my young son on Fridays. Thankfully AAT accommodated this, enabling me to take on a challenging leadership role, while also fulfilling my caring commitments. “From the start this gave me the confidence to know that there was a supportive culture for working parents at AAT, meaning I wouldn’t need to compromise my career development or family life. This spirit of inclusivity extends across the organisation, as AAT actively values different perspectives, thinking styles, and working arrangements which enables people to be their best”. AAT’s role in promoting gender equality With women comprising approximately two-thirds (63%) of our members, AAT has been a leading voice calling for the promotion of gender equality in business. AAT’s flexible learning options mean that it is possible to fit study around work and family, which can be helpful for women who often have caring responsibilities. AAT apprenticeships can also help women as well as promote social mobility because they enable study while you earn a wage. The government is also playing a part in aiding social mobility by removing the requirement to have an O Level or GCSE in both Maths and English, which – though not gender-specific action – helps remove barriers for people changing careers. Improving parity More generally, a combination of mentorship and sponsorship programs, flexible working arrangements, and gender diversity policies is helping to level the playing field. For example, Accenture’s goal is to achieve a gender-balanced workforce by 2025, according to the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality. Also in the list of diversity champions are Fidelity, Aviva, Grant Thornton UK LLP, KPMG UK LLP, Network Rail, PWC, and Sage. Meanwhile, the FTSE Women Leaders Review has pushed major firms to appoint more women to board positions, helping to close the leadership gap. These measures also make business sense. In 2018, Ten years of research by McKinsey and LeanIn.org demonstrated a clear correlation between organisational diversity and financial performance. The study found that companies with the greatest proportion of women on executive committees earned a 47% higher rate of return on equity than companies with no women executives.
How to Enhance Agent-Client Collaboration in the Era of Making Tax Digital (MTD) Posted 03/06/2025 by Capium & filed under Making Tax Digital, Members. This content is brought to you by Capium. The landscape for accountants and bookkeepers is rapidly evolving. No longer are these professionals merely number crunchers; they now serve as strategic advisors, helping clients navigate the complexities of financial management. With the implementation of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, this evolution is gaining momentum. To thrive in this new environment, accountants must adopt tools that enhance collaboration, improve accuracy, and facilitate proactive advisory services. Understanding the Shift in Compliance and Collaboration MTD represents a significant transformation in financial reporting, promoting transparency and efficiency. This regulatory change not only streamlines the submission process but also necessitates real-time access to accurate financial data. As traditional methods of document collection and outdated information become less viable, it is crucial for accountants to adapt and embrace new strategies. To effectively manage compliance and streamline collaboration, consider the following approaches: 1. Utilise Client-Centric Platforms: Implementing a platform that prioritises client interactions can significantly reduce inefficiencies. Choose tools that enable accountants to access up-to-date financial data instantly, minimising the need to chase clients for documents. 2. Leverage Technology for Real-Time Collaboration: Adopting platforms that support seamless communication between agents and clients can enhance transparency. Look for features that allow clients to upload invoices and receipts in real-time through mobile or web interfaces. Transitioning to a Proactive Advisory Role Today’s accountants are expected to provide insights beyond basic financial statements. They should offer guidance on business performance, tax strategies, and financial forecasting. Here’s how to empower accountants to transition into strategic advisors: 1. Automate Routine Processes: Implementing automated systems for bank reconciliation, receipt scanning, and document sharing can free up valuable time. This allows accountants to focus on delivering high-value advisory services rather than getting bogged down by manual tasks. 2. Customise Reporting: Providing tailored insights to meet individual client needs can enhance the advisory role. Utilise tools that offer customisable reporting capabilities, ensuring that recommendations are data-driven and relevant to each client’s specific context. Ensuring Compliance with MTD Regulations With MTD mandating digital solutions integrated with HMRC’s systems, it’s essential to adopt compliant tools. Here are steps to ensure your practice meets MTD requirements: 1. Choose MTD-Compliant Software: Ensure the platform you select is HMRC-recognised and fully compliant with MTD regulations. This will not only streamline the submission process but also mitigate the risk of errors associated with manual compliance. 2. Implement Automated Notifications: Utilise software that sends automatic reminders for submission deadlines. This proactive approach helps maintain compliance and reduces the risk of late filings, allowing accountants to concentrate on strategic planning. Building Stronger Client Relationships Fostering robust relationships with clients is vital for success in the evolving accounting landscape. Here are strategies to enhance client engagement: 1. Streamlined Communication: Integrated messaging features within your accounting platform can significantly improve communication efficiency. This reduces the reliance on lengthy email threads and ensures that both parties are always on the same page. 2. Transparency through Accessibility: By providing clients with real-time access to their financial data, you can foster trust and facilitate informed decision-making. Encourage clients to engage with the platform regularly to stay updated on their financial position. Preparing for Future Changes As HMRC continues to expand MTD regulations, accountants must stay agile and prepared for ongoing changes. Consider these steps to future-proof your practice: 1. Invest in Comprehensive Software Solutions: Look for platforms that integrate various modules, such as bookkeeping, payroll, and tax compliance. This ensures that you have all necessary tools at your disposal to adapt to changing requirements. 2. Embrace Continuous Learning: Stay informed about regulatory updates and technological advancements. Regular training and professional development can help your practice remain competitive and responsive to client needs. In a rapidly changing environment, adopting innovative solutions that enhance collaboration, drive efficiency, and ensure compliance is essential. By positioning themselves as trusted advisors, accountants can play a pivotal role in their clients’ financial journeys, ultimately helping to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape. To trial Capium’s extensive accounting software or Capiums 365 product, sign up for a free trial here. About Capium A team of over 60 supports over 2,500 UK Practices, servicing over 505,000 SMEs through the platform. The business focus is to empower Accountants by continuously innovating and anticipating the next bounce of the ball; foraging authentic and meaningful relationships to ensure the Accountants and Bookkeepers’ needs remain at the heart of tech innovation. This content is brought to you by Capium.
Excel tips: Avoid mistakes with protect sheet Posted 03/05/2025 by Traci Williams & filed under Excel tips, Study tips. Have you ever been working on a spreadsheet and got distracted… and before you know it, you’ve overwritten all of your clever formulas? Or, someone else accesses your file and overwrites your formula’s with values? Well, this is exactly where protect sheet can help, and I use it constantly to protect me from myself. What is protect sheet? This function can be used to protect a single worksheet, so that it cannot be edited or amended. How to protect sheet? From the ‘review’ ribbon, select ‘protect sheet’: This box will appear: You can simply press ‘OK’ here and the sheet will be Protected with all of the default settings. The first tick box above explains what this means: The worksheet and the contents of the locked cells will be protected i.e. the user will be unable to edit anything on the entire sheet, unless specific cells have been Unlocked. How to tell if a sheet is protected? There are a couple of ways to tell if the sheet has been protected: The easiest way is to see that the icon in the ‘review’ ribbon has changed from ‘protect sheet’ to ‘unprotect sheet’: Lots of icons on other ribbons may be greyed out (depending what other options have been allowed (see later). Right click on the sheet name and ‘Unprotect Sheet’ will appear on the menu instead of ‘protect sheet’: If you try to edit a locked cell while the sheet is protected, this error message will appear: Locking & unlocking cells By default every single cell in a worksheet is ‘locked’, therefore when you ‘protect sheet’, ALL cells will be locked for editing. However you may want, or need, to be able to edit some of the cells while protecting others. In this instance, you can select the specific cells that you want to be able to edit, and ‘unlock’ them: Select cells to unlock. Right click mouse. Select ‘format cells’. Select ‘protection’ tab. Untick ‘locked’ box. Click ok. Now, the selected cells will be editable, once the sheet has been protected. There is no limit to how many cells can be unlocked. Key tip: I usually change the colour of cells that have been unlocked, as a visual guide to the cells that can and cannot be edited. Hidden cells When the sheet is protected, the user will still be able to see the contents of cells (values, text or formulas), unless the cells have been ‘hidden’. This can be really useful if you want to prevent a user from seeing any formulas: Select cells to hide contents. Right click mouse. Select ‘format cells’. Select ‘protection’ tab. Tick ‘hidden’ box. Click ok. Now, the contents of the selected cells will not be visible in the formula bar, once the sheet has been protected. Key tip: Locked & hidden can be used independently of each other. User permissions in a worksheet On the ‘protect sheet’ menu, the top two items are selected by default. This means that when the sheet is protected, the only things the user will be able to do is select locked & unlocked cells: The user can edit this list by ticking (or unticking) the relevant boxes. This will enable the user to do more, whilst the sheet is protected. Any items not ticked, will be greyed out within the ribbons. Some of the most useful items that I always use are: Format Columns: This allows the user to amend column widths, and hide/unhide columns. Insert Hyperlinks: This allows the user to insert hyperlinks. Use Autofilter: This allows the user to apply filters. Key tip: There is a bug with the ‘sort’ box, and even when this is ticked, the user will still not be able to use this function. Password protect Sheets can be protected with or without a password: Without Password Simply leave the Password box empty, and click ok: To ‘unprotect’ the sheet, simply click on ‘unprotect sheet’ in the ‘review’ ribbon and the protection will be removed. Key tip: I tend to leave the password off if it’s only me working on a spreadsheet, so it’s quicker and easier to remove if required. With Password Enter a Password into this box: When creating passwords, best practice dictates they: are case sensitive. can be as long or short as required. can include characters (such as / – #@ etc). can include numbers. Once the password has been entered, the user will need to confirm it (obviously this needs to match the original entry), then click ok: To ‘unprotect’ the sheet, simply click on ‘unprotect sheet’ in the ‘review’ ribbon and enter the password: Key tip: If I’m sending the spreadsheet to someone and I don’t want them to be able to remove it, I would always use a password. Recovering Passwords There is no official way in Excel to recover a password, so please ensure you use something memorable, so it’s not forgotten. Once a spreadsheet has been unprotected, excel will not remember that password, so a new one can be used the next time the sheet is protected, or it can be protected without a password if required. It’s possible to remove a password from a spreadsheet using VBA coding language, but this should be used as a last resort. Security I always urge people to treat the spreadsheet protection as a tool to prevent data from being accidentally overwritten, and not a method for keeping confidential information hidden. If somebody wanted to get the information enough, they could remove the passwords using the VBA as described above. If information is sensitive and not to be shared then, I’d always advise it should not be kept in a spreadsheet that will be shared. Further reading Excel tips: Save time with named ranges How to amend a CSV file without a direct bank feed Excel tips: Vlookup vs Index/Match Read more Excel tips Browse the full range of AAT study support resources.
Connect with AAT at Accountex London Posted 03/03/2025 by Accountex & filed under Members. Accountex London, the world’s largest accounting and finance expo, is returning to Excel on the 14-15 May 2025. Over 11,500 attendees from around the world are expected to reunite, after the 2024 show was hailed the biggest and best show in Accountex history. “Every year Accountex proves itself as THE one-stop-shop for the accounting and finance community. And this edition is no exception! There are lots of new features to help attendees leave with ideas that they can immediately put into practice, and boost their careers. As always, the education programme is packed with exclusive industry updates, and the exhibitor list is full of both established brands and up-and-coming start-ups. By this point, visitors know to expect a few surprises, and we can’t wait to see the reactions!” Said Accountex Portfolio Director, Caroline Hobden. ‘Accountex is a treasure trove of knowledge and connections’ Attendees will have the chance to reconnect with existing suppliers, learn about the latest product launches, and explore new solutions, to streamline their business processes, reduce time and costs. The exhibitor list boasts 300 fintech companies including leaders like FreeAgent, Intuit QuickBooks, IRIS, Sage, TaxCalc, Wolters Kluwer, and Xero. As well as emerging brands and first-time exhibitors such as AY Business Law, Briefcase, Business Fitness, Accounting Flow, AuditBot and Adsum. “Without Accountex, I would never have come across a lot of the companies I am now working with, growth would have been slower and my systems would not have been as good. You just do not know what you’re missing out on until you have experienced it yourself.” Commented visitor Mark Freed, Accountant, Freed Accountancy. The CPD-accredited seminar programme, is compiled of 160+ seminars across 12 theatres. Programme themes incorporate everything that affects accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals in and out of the office. Topics include practice growth strategies and developments in AI to ESG, AML and Making Tax Digital updates from HMRC. “Accountex was a brilliant and insightful day out. As a small practice owner, I had so many ideas and lightbulb moments while listening to industry professionals. Absolutely will be returning next year!” Said visitor Travus Wynne, Director, Happy Days MK Ltd. For the second year running AAT are sponsoring the Future Leaders Theatre, which has a packed line-up to equip visitors with the right tools to become the next generation of successful leaders. Attendees can expect to dive into the role of data insights vs gut instincts in making effective leadership decisions, and a session on how to inspire those around you. After the huge success at last year’s Accountex, AAT will be sponsoring British Sign Language interpretation at the show, on stages 5, 6 and 8. The interpreters are part of a collaboration between the qualifications and skills provider and event organisers that has AAT named Accountex’s first-ever ‘Accessibility Partner’. Secure your free ticket Visitors will also be able to meet the AAT team at stand 260 and have their questions answered in person, as well as exploring the opportunities they have on offer. “My first time at Accountex this year and it was such a buzz – who knew that Accounting and Finance could be so much fun! The sessions were great and included some professional, inspirational speakers that I would have paid good money to see, but Accountex is free!” Said visitor Sarah Wheatley, Accounts Manager, ACE Scaffolding Contractors Ltd. Accountex London is taking place at Excel on the 14-15 May 2025. For more information and to book your free ticket, please visit www.accountex.co.uk/london. Use priority code ACX422 when booking.
Digitalise your practice in 2025 Posted 02/27/2025 by Bright & filed under Digital skills. This content is brought to you by Bright. Digitalisation is transforming the accounting profession. And, 25 years into the new millennium, technology’s rapid advancement shows no signs of slowing down. With game changing developments in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation radically changing the way accountants approach everyday tasks, digitalisation ultimately presents an opportunity to dramatically increase efficiency and productivity for those firms that choose to embrace it. For a full overview, we’ve written a whitepaper – The Digital Practice in 2025. Here, we’ll share a quick overview of what digitisation could look like for your practice. Positive impacts of using digital software Technology is at the heart of digitalisation – it’s what’s ultimately driving the industry’s transformation. And with greater tech, come greater impacts. These include: Accuracy and efficiency – automating once manual and error-prone tasks Automation and delegation – embedded into processes with cloud-based tools Profitability – through enhanced accuracy and streamlined workflows Client engagement – enhanced client communication and greater transparency. With the above in mind, the benefits digital software can offer are clear for most firms. But with a huge majority of accountants using several different applications for their day-to-day operations, how do you know what tech, specifically, you should be using? The tech stack of today In a recent survey, we asked accountants about their digitalisation journey to date – looking at their preferred tools and the impact they had on their firm. 81% of firms reported that at least half of their tech stack is cloud-based, and 45% stated that they are using a mostly, if not fully, cloud-based tech stack. Which tells you one thing: in 2025 your tech must be cloud-based if you want to keep up with the competition. Beyond that, the essential tools you can expect to find in a modern practice include: Productivity suites – like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace – with built in communications tools (over 80% of firms are now using them) Bookkeeping and compliance tools – to help streamline admin, ensure accuracy, and stay compliant with regulations Data extraction (OCR) tools – for importing data and automating processes General ledger systems – for record-keeping and financial management Accounts production and tax filing software – handling the backend processes of producing financial statements and filing taxes Practice management software – to manage workflow, allocate tasks, and track work Payroll software – to automate processes and integrate with other software. The tech stack of tomorrow From making Teams or Zoom a key part of their communication toolkit to using practice management software to delegate work, the above list of tech stack must-haves showcases how firms who’ve embraced digitalisation are already making the most of the tech available to them. But what’s on accountants’ wishlists for the future? And what does that tell us about how we can expect software to develop? When we asked firms what further benefits they wanted to see, we found that: 79% wanted increased cost-effectiveness 65% of firms want enhanced integration 53% of firms want continuous innovation 51% of firms want increased automation 49% of firms want improved security measures 25% of firms want advanced analytics. There’s lots to unpack there (which we do in our full whitepaper), but these responses, above all, reflect a consistent desire to stay ahead in the game – with data security, efficiency, automation, and the ability to use sophisticated data insights to inform strategic decision making, all remaining a core focus. Preparing for clients of the future Making use of a sophisticated tech stack – both now, and in the future – can have an undeniably positive impact on your firm’s day to day running and overall profitability. But digitalisation can also help prepare you for the clients of the future, too. Enter: Generation Z. Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z are now becoming part of the workforce and, unlike previous generations, they’ve grown up in the digital world. They’re a tech-savvy and socially engaged generation who, in short, expect their professionals to use tech in the same way that they do. Which means that prioritising digitalisation is key to staying competitive in the market. AI, too, is making waves. While it might not be transforming accounting practices just yet, its potential for the future is immense. As AI technology continues to evolve, becoming part of day-to-day life for clients (including Gen Z), its applications in accounting will likely expand, making it an indispensable tool for the profession, too. In 2025, digitalisation has become a necessity for firms wanting to take their practice to the next level. To find out more download our full whitepaper This content is brought to you by Bright.
Alert: HMRC supervisory email scam Posted 02/25/2025 by AAT Comment & filed under Anti-money laundering, Anti-money laundering, Members. A scam email is circulating posing as HMRC requesting an Annual Supervisory Return. Don’t get caught out. Several members have received an email posing as HMRC asking them to submit an Annual Supervisory Return as part of their AML supervision. That’s despite the fact that AAT is their AML supervisory authority. It appears the email, which asks the recipient to click on a link and submit an AML firm return, is not a genuine HMRC request. Anyone receiving the email should report it on this site. Warning signs We understand the message includes links and details that look very similar to what you would expect from a legitimate HMRC communication. However, there are two significant red flags: It appears to be being sent from a false email address <[email protected]> If you hover over the link to the submission the domain appears to be false. What to do next If you receive this or a similar text message or email, please do not click on any links. Instead, report it to HMRC and delete the message immediately. Before you open links, you should always check the list of recent text messages sent from HMRC to help you decide if a text you’ve received is a scam.