What can accountants and their clients do now to prepare for January? Posted 12/12/2025 by Georgia Lewis & filed under Making Tax Digital, Members, Tax. From setting internal deadlines to avoid last-minute rushes, to encouraging clients in their digital transition, here’s what accountants are up to. The January tax deadline, not to mention getting ready for another year, makes December a stressful month. But being prepared and organised in December can help accountants and their clients ease into 2026 with a fresh outlook. Four accountants shared their advice for preparing for the new year with minimal anxiety. Setting deadlines throughout the year is crucial Susan Perry, Accountant and Founder, Cooper Accountancy The aim is always to get client returns done as early as possible. This allows time for review, to gather all the necessary information ahead of the deadline and be able to go through everything together properly. I work with my clients throughout the year to ensure their returns are prepared in ample time. We set interim deadlines that clients need to hit throughout the year to keep them on track. After all, no one wants a rush to get everything done in the new year. It’s the same story every year – we know the deadline is looming, but some clients will always leave it to the last minute. If every client gave me their information on January 30, there is no way we could get everyone’s return completed, approved and submitted in time for the deadline. As a firm, we share regular reminders with our clients and have our own deadlines in place to ensure that returns are not left too close to the submission date. Keeping accounts up to date throughout the year, either monthly or quarterly is the best practice. This makes final accounting returns easier. This way business owners have a clearer and more accurate overview of their business throughout the year. If our clients know their numbers, they can make more accurate decisions. Accountants and clients cannot ignore the digital transition Mohammed Sidat, Associate Product Technology Director, Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting UK Preparing for January’s busy season is a year-round process that demands strategic planning and adaptability for UK accountants. With regulatory changes such as Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, on the horizon, many firms are encouraging clients to transition to digital bookkeeping well ahead of deadlines. Early preparation includes reviewing client records, updating software and clearly communicating key dates to clients. Increasingly, practices are leveraging automation and cloud tools to streamline workflows, track submissions and reduce last-minute pressures. Proactive communication, such as quarterly check-ins and regular reminders, has become essential to ensure clients are ready and to minimise bottlenecks when January arrives. Get ahead in December, but don’t forget to take a break Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam, Founder, The FD Consultant In December I review the year to understand what went well and what could be improved, while taking time to reflect on and celebrate the business’s achievements. Progress deserves recognition. December is also when I look forward. I think strategically about the challenges and opportunities ahead, using this quieter period in my business to devise a clear plan so we can hit the ground running in the new year. An important part of this is comparing our performance against last year’s plan, which helps ensure the new plan strikes the right balance between being achievable and stretching. Crucially, I’m going to rest and enjoy time with family and friends over the festive period. Recharging is essential for starting the year with energy and focus. All this applies to our clients, too. They should take time in December to review, reflect and plan strategically. If it’s a quieter month for them, they should get on the front foot for the new year. If our clients are anticipating any major decisions or transactions in the new year, giving us a heads-up in December allows us to provide better guidance from the start. Businesses with a busy December should focus on getting through the seasonal burst of activity and pushing those sales up! Finally, clients should give themselves permission to switch off too. A well-rested business owner makes better decisions and is more enjoyable to work with in the busy months ahead. Work with clients to be proactive and make a fresh start in 2026 Jon Chartres, co-founder of Fresh Eyes Finance, specialising in accounts for CICs and charities January is the perfect opportunity for clients to make a fresh start with their finances. We can help clients review the year that has passed and form a realistic budget for the coming year. This will enable clients to strategise and make proactive decisions. Advise clients to reconcile their accounts regularly, analyse their accounts for any variances and react accordingly. Meeting filing deadlines in plenty of time alleviates stress and helps with cash flow for any tax bills that are becoming due. When we can help our clients approach their finances like this, it won’t be a burden and will help them add value to their operational goals.
UKFIU podcast on Combating CSA Livestreaming Posted 12/11/2025 by AAT Comment & filed under Anti-money laundering, Anti-money laundering, Members. Listen to this podcast to learn how to protect children from sexual abuse. In this episode, panellists from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and NatWest Group discuss Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) livestreaming. This includes: the actions being taken by law enforcement and reporters to combat this crime, potential indicators, and how to report if you have suspicions of CSA or money laundering linked to CSA. Listen to Episode 26 on Spotify now. Remember, money laundering is never a victimless crime. If you know, suspect or have reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting that a person is engaged in money laundering or dealing in criminal property, you must submit a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) via SAR portal to the UK Intelligence Finance Unit (UKFIU). Further guidance and support on risk management and other components of Money Laundering Regulations compliance is available on our AML webpage. You can also contact us n +44 (0)20 7367 1347 or via email [email protected].
Important update to all regulated firms: UKFIU guidance library Posted 12/11/2025 by AAT Comment & filed under Anti-money laundering, Anti-money laundering, Members. Delete all previous guidance and refer to this best practice information. The UK Financial intelligence Unit (UKFIU) have published New SARS Best Practice Guidance. Here it is: Chapter 1: Using the SAR Portal Chapter 2: Submitting a SAR Chapter 3: Understanding DAMLs and DATFs Are you ready for your Practice Assurance Review? Members, learn what a Practice Assurance Review is, what you can expect if you are selected for one as well as what you’ll need to prepare in advance. Find this new CPD Bitesize module in the Featured CPD collection on the Lifelong Learning Portal. Prepare yourself now What it means for AML regulated firms The above guidance replaces all previous guidance, which has now been withdrawn and should be disregarded. Please delete all previous versions of the guidance from your internal systems and platforms to avoid any confusion and ensure your internal policies and procedures are amended to reflect the new guidance. If you have staff members, ensure that they are aware of it and that they familiarise themselves with this new guidance. The UKFIU reminds us that it is essential to keep the main party contact details up to date on the SAR Portal. The SAR Portal allows users to update personal and organisational contact information via the ‘Account Settings’ section, in the top right-hand corner of the SAR Portal home page. The recently updated UKFIU library gives you an access to SARs In Action magazines, podcasts and reporter booklets in one place. We shared UKFIU’s short videos in our article Suspicious Activity Report best practice videos. We strongly encourage you to review these and use them as part of your internal anti money laundering (AML) training. This is to ensure that you and your relevant employees keep your AML and Terrorist Financing knowledge up-to-date. Do not forget to keep a written record of your ongoing continued professional development in AML. Future of the AML supervision On 21 October 2025, the Government confirmed that the AML supervision for accountancy, legal and Trust and Company Service Provider sectors will move to a single professional services supervisor (SPSS), specifically the Financial Conduct Authority. While this is a big shift, implementation is likely to take years. In the meantime, AAT will continue as the AML supervisor for eligible licensed members and carry out our normal responsibilities, including Practice Assurance Reviews and risk assessment activities. Therefore, our licensed members must ensure full compliance with the MLR 2017. Find more on the consultation response here. Further guidance and support on risk management and other components of Money Laundering Regulations compliance is available on our AML webpage. You can also contact us on +44 (0)20 7367 1347 or via email at [email protected]. Are you ready for your Practice Assurance Review? Members, learn what a Practice Assurance Review is, what you can expect if you are selected for one as well as what you’ll need to prepare in advance. Find this new CPD Bitesize module in the Featured CPD collection on the Lifelong Learning Portal. Prepare yourself now
Ways AI is already transforming accountancy Posted 12/09/2025 by Tara Askham & filed under Artificial intelligence, Members, Technology. Here’s how other accountants are using AI safely, from creating custom tools to strategic analysis. As I’ve delved deeper into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), I’ve found it’s already surprisingly embedded in our day-to-day activities. I’ve always appreciated great tech but AI is changing the landscape of our roles whether we like it or not. Personally, I believe we’ll always need a human in the loop. But, many of our routine tasks can be made more efficient and sped up, freeing us to focus on the strategic, high-value work that truly requires our expertise. AI CPD for members AAT members can learn about AI, privacy, compliance risks and generative AI for accounting tasks by logging into Learning Portal and looking in Featured CPD. Log in to Learning Portal now So what is AI, really? Let’s start with the basics. AI refers to computer systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, things like learning from data, recognising patterns, making predictions, and generating content. You’ve probably been using AI for years without realising it: bank reconciliations in accounting software that automatically match transactions Netflix recommendations based on your viewing habits receipt scanning apps that extract data and post entries for you. AI isn’t new. What’s changed is how accessible and powerful it’s become and how quickly it’s evolving. How accountants can use AI safely I work with businesses ranging from sole traders to multinational organisations, and each has different thoughts and approaches to this changing landscape. At the root of their concerns? Ethics and confidentiality. I was sceptical at first. But after completing courses with experts and experimenting hands-on, I’ve personally loved the journey. That said, it’s crucial to use AI responsibly. Key safety principles 1. Never input confidential information This is non-negotiable. Don’t add client data, personal details, or sensitive financial information into free AI tools. Even paid versions with better security shouldn’t be used for personal data without proper safeguards and compliance checks. 2. Understand AI’s limitations When ChatGPT first became mainstream, it frequently got calculations wrong. Why? Because it’s trained on datasets and retrieves information from memory, it’s not a calculator. It’s a language model that predicts what comes next, not a fact-checker. 3. Use AI for the right tasks! AI works brilliantly for: reviewing budget scenarios summarising new HMRC updates drafting content (blogs, emails, reports) brainstorming ideas or exploring different approaches. But always verify outputs, especially for compliance-critical work, and ask it to provide you with the sources – and check those too! 4. Master the art of prompting AI It is only as good as the prompts you give it. Be specific about what you need, the format you want, and where information should be sourced from. Vague prompts = vague results. Ethics and compliance: The non-negotiables As accountants, we’re bound by professional standards and client confidentiality. AI doesn’t change that; if anything, it raises the stakes. Questions to ask before using AI: Does this tool comply with GDPR and data protection regulations? Am I sharing client data, even anonymised? Can I verify the accuracy of AI-generated outputs? Have I been transparent with clients about how I use AI? AI in action for accountants Let me share some practical ways AI is already being used effectively in accountancy: Automating routine tasks Receipt and invoice processing: Tools like Dext and Hubdoc use AI to scan, extract, and categorise data automatically. Bank reconciliation: Xero, QuickBooks, and Sage all use AI-powered matching to suggest transaction pairings, saving hours of manual work. Expense categorisation: AI learns your coding patterns and suggests categories for new transactions. Enhancing client communications Drafting emails and reports: Use AI to create first drafts of client updates, or tax planning letters. Just add your personal touch and verify accuracy. Creating content: Blogs, newsletters, and social media posts become faster to produce. But beware, AI loves certain keywords and emojis that scream “I used AI!” Use it as a brainstorming partner, not a copy-paste solution. Custom AI tools You can now train AI to work specifically for your practice by creating custom GPTs. Give it: context (your companies’ services, tone, typical client queries) a role (e.g. ‘You are a UK tax advisor assistant’) instructions (output format, compliance reminders, sources to reference). Strategic analysis Forecasting and scenario planning: AI can model multiple ‘what if’ scenarios quickly, helping clients make informed decisions. Trend spotting: Identify patterns in financial data that might indicate opportunities or risks. For example… Sole Trader: A freelance bookkeeper uses AI to draft monthly client reports and generate social media content. She saves five hours per week, which she reinvests in client consultations and business development. Small Practice: A three-person accountancy firm uses AI-powered receipt scanning and bank feeds to cut data entry time by 60%. They’ve redirected that time to advisory services, increasing revenue per client. Larger Organisation: A mid-sized firm has built a custom GPT trained on UK tax legislation and their internal processes. It helps junior staff draft technical information and answer routine client queries faster, with senior review. My question to you AI is here, and it’s evolving fast. The accountants who thrive won’t be the ones who resist it, they’ll be the ones who learn to use it wisely, ethically and strategically. So here’s what I want to know: Are you already using AI in your practice or business? What tasks would you love to automate or speed up? What’s holding you back – concerns about ethics, accuracy, or just not knowing where to start? Get in touch on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences as we navigate this changing landscape together. AI CPD for members AAT members can learn about AI, privacy, compliance risks and generative AI for accounting tasks by logging into Learning Portal and looking in Featured CPD. Log in to Learning Portal now
9 must-read articles for employers Posted 12/09/2025 by AAT Comment & filed under Employer newsletter, Employers, Members. Essential information for businesses just thinking about hiring or already in the recruiting process. Recruiting Thinking about recruiting? Here’s how to do it based on potential. Are you giving out the right signals to attract the kind of recruit you need? Here’s how to appeal to experienced staff. …and here’s how to find and retain junior staff. Apprentices Funding is available for apprenticeships, but not all businesses are using it. Make sure you’re making the most of the apprenticeship levy. What could an apprentice do at your practice? Why hire an apprentice? Read our series on Worcestershire County Council’s successful scheme. How-tos of hiring apprentices, according to top-100 firms. If you’re worrying about the workload – don’t. Here’s how training providers carry the administrative weight of apprenticeships. Onboarding After you’ve found the right person, you need to onboard them correctly to set them up for success.
What is the point of budgeting and forecasting? Posted 12/08/2025 by Northexis & filed under Financial accounting and reporting, Members. This content is brought to you by Northexis. “Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.” – President Dwight D. Eisenhower I had a meeting with a finance team the other day, to talk about improving their budgeting and forecasting. The FD confided in me that one of the managers in the business had asked them, “How can you expect me to predict the future?” And they found themselves struggling to think of how to respond. It’s certainly not the first time I’ve heard this objection from within a business, and if you’ve ever heard it – or suspect that everyone’s thinking it but just isn’t saying it – then I’d like to help you out. So, to start with: budgets and forecasts were never meant to be looking into a crystal ball. After all, if we could predict the future…well, we’d all be on a beach, never working again after making our billions, wouldn’t we? It sounds obvious, and it is. But if it’s not for predicting the future, the business needs to communicate what it is doing planning for. And too often the businesses I speak to haven’t thought to do that – or perhaps they don’t know themselves! First and foremost, any plan should be seen as a tool to enable the business to make better decisions. I like this definition, because it’s hard to argue against making better decisions. So how do we do that? Emphasise that you’re not expecting people to predict the future. The FD at the beginning of this article simply needed to say “I don’t!”. We know plans will be wrong; that doesn’t invalidate the process. Emphasise what you are expecting. Which is, broadly, their best, educated guesses, if we’re all honest with one another. Educated is the key word here, as managers know more about their slice of the business than we do. Say that! Everyone likes to know that their knowledge is valued. Emphasise what you will actually do with the information. Often, a manager hasn’t given consideration to what happens with plan information; they just see a chore that they have to do. I find it useful to give an example, starting with the unarguable fact that we don’t have unlimited money, and we have to choose what to do with it. Given that, we ask sales for the best estimate of what they can deliver. If that sales forecast is going up, then we probably need to invest in however we deliver; production or people. If it’s doing down, we perhaps need to invest in marketing, or additional sales headcount. But we need a sales forecast to make that decision. If you do those three things, you’re likely to get better engagement and information from the business. Then, it becomes important to ask yourself and the rest of your finance team: does my planning process help the business make better decisions? Almost certainly some of it does. But, if you’re like the organisations I speak to every day, probably a lot of it doesn’t. Sorry. The good news is that you can fix that by examining your process through this lens. Go through everything you do, and ask yourself how the time spent leads to better decisions. Two common examples of time sinks that don’t add anything include: Unnecessary time detail. You probably use fewer Post-Its in August as everyone goes off on holiday. But insisting on month by month planning of stationery expense probably wastes more time – and kills more goodwill – than the materiality is worth, and is unlikely to impact decision making. Many areas will be fine to plan annually or quarterly. Unnecessary account detail. Similarly, when senior management reviews the budget contributions from the business, it is almost never at GL nominal code level. GL codes are important, but they are never all important when it comes to planning. Find out the actual required detail for decision making, and build the process on that; your current processes may well be forcing budgetholders to put in all sorts of effort for no reason. Having said that, the managers within the business often do want to plan in more detail than what senior management look at (often it’s easier to deliver multiple numbers than one, eg separate types of insurance). Ideally, find out what detail senior management looks at, then have conversations with budget holders about the best process for them that delivers at least that. A good planning process is something that needs to be continually iterated on and improved. But once you – and the business – recognise what the purpose of planning should be, it becomes a lot easier to motivate everyone to get better! For more insights on planning, reporting and consolidation, visit https://northexis.com/blog. Adam Rakich is Consulting Director at Northexis, a UK IT consultancy streamlining finances for businesses. This content is brought to you by Northexis.
AAT’s overview of the autumn budget 2025 Posted 12/05/2025 by AAT Comment & filed under Members, Policy. “However welcome this new funding is, the Budget has still failed to deliver for employers”. On 26 November, Rachel Reeves unveiled her second Budget against a difficult economic and fiscal backdrop and pressure from backbenchers. She positioned it as delivering the ‘fair and necessary’ measures required to address the UK’s economic challenges and put the economy on a stronger path towards economic growth. This includes a sweeping set of tax rises totalling £26 billion by 2029–30. The fiscal outlook is mixed. GDP is now expected to grow by 1.5% in 2025, above the OBR’s previous 1% expectation. Overall, however, UK economic growth forecast has been downgraded in 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029. Meanwhile inflation is coming down faster than expected, predicted to fall to 2.5% in 2026 and returning to the 2% target in 2027. AAT’s view The Budget delivered some positive steps, particularly on apprenticeships, and included some of AAT’s recommendations, such as the government increasing the headroom against its fiscal targets. However, it fell short of providing a clear long-term tax strategy that the UK needs, with simplification and growth at the centre. We’re committed to continuing work with officials to improve the tax regime and skills landscape. We’re looking forward to engaging further in the new year, particularly on raising standards in the tax advice market. “Apprenticeships add enormous value to our economy – so it’s great to see the Budget recognise that. The announcement of new funding for under 25s seeking an apprenticeship in small businesses, as part of the Growth and Skills Levy £725m package, is really welcome… “However welcome this new funding is, the Budget has still failed to deliver for employers. With national insurance hikes from the last budget and now minimum wage increases, we risk creating a lost generation unable to get their first step on the job ladder… “What the country needs is a long-term strategy that tackles both youth unemployment and supports employers to give young people the opportunities they need.” – Sarah Beale, CEO AAT You can read Sarah’s full response on LinkedIn. Budget overview A boost for apprenticeships The commitment to fully fund SME apprenticeships for eligible people under 25 is one of the most significant announcements for AAT. The precise amount of funding is still to be clarified, as this forms part of a £1.5 billion investment in skills, including £725 million allocated to the Growth and Skills Levy package. Further detail expected to be announced shortly. The government also confirmed reforms to simplify the apprenticeship system and make it more efficient, including: removing the additional uplift to levy accounts; changing the expiry window to 12 months; changing the government’s co-investment rate to 75% for levy-paying employers once they have exhausted all their funds; and working with employers to streamline the suite of apprenticeship standards available. Alongside apprenticeship funding, the government announced the ‘Youth Guarantee: Jobs Guarantee scheme’ which will provide six-month paid work placements for eligible 18–21-year-olds on Universal Credit. A new Local Growth Fund was announced, for the Mayoral Strategic Authorities of: Greater Manchester, North East, West Midlands, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region, Greater Lincolnshire, Tees Valley, Hull & East Yorkshire, York & North Yorkshire and East Midlands. These strategic authorities will each receive a share of the £902 million over four years to invest in growth-driving interventions, including employment support and skills programmes. Key tax changes The Budget included many tax changes relevant to accountants and their clients, including: Income Tax & National Insurance –current thresholds extended by three years from April 2028 to April 2031. Dividends, property and savings taxes –the basic and higher rate of tax on these will be increased by 2%. Pensions –a new £2,000 cap on salary sacrifice schemes coming into effect in 2029. ‘Mansion tax’ –a new annual charge of £2,500 for properties worth more than £2 million, and £7,500 for properties worth more than £5 million. Business rates – from 2026/27 onwards,retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will benefit from permanently lower business rate multipliers: 38.2p for small properties and 43p for others under £500,000 funded by a 2.8p higher multiplier (50.8p) on properties over £500,000. Gambling –Remote Gaming Duty is being raised from 21% to 40%, while the duty on online betting is increasing from 15% to 25%. No changes are made to rates on in-person gambling and horse-racing, while bingo duty is entirely abolished from April 2026. Alcohol – Alcohol duty will be uprated with the RPI on 1 February 2026 to maintain its current real-terms value. Milkshake tax – the soft drinks industry levy will be extending to milk-based drinks and milk substitutes from 1 January 2028. Corporation tax – reducing the writing down allowance main rate to 14% and introducing a new 40% first year allowance for expenditure incurred on or after 1 January 2026. Vehicles – new mileage charge for electric (3p per mile) and plug-in hybrid cars (1.5p), payable each year alongside vehicle excise duty. Capital Gains Tax – the Employee Ownership Trust Capital Gains Tax relief will be reduced from 100% to 50%. Fuel duty – the 5p fuel duty cut will be extended until the end of August 2026 with rates then gradually returning to March 2022 levels by March 2027. Other key changes affecting accountants The government has decided not to regulate tax advisers beyond measures already announced – such as mandatory agent registration in April 2026 – following consultation. Instead, it will work in partnership with the sector to raise standards in the tax advice market. The Budget confirmed several other measures that will impact accountants and their clients: E-invoicing – the government will require all VAT invoices to be issued in a specified electronic format from April 2029. Minimum wage – the minimum wage for over-21s (also known as the ‘National Living Wage’) will rise by 4.1% and by 8.5% for 18- to 20-year-olds. Maxing Tax Digital – customers joining in April 2026 will not receive penalty points for late submission of their first four quarterly updates. The government has also announced a one-year deferral for several small groups of taxpayers. Pensions – the government confirmed those whose only income comes from the state pension will not have to pay any income tax. More detail will follow in 2026. Cash ISA – the tax-free allowance will be reduced to £12,000 for those under 65 from 2027/28.
Do you use collaboration tools as a student? Here are some of the benefits Posted 12/04/2025 by Jessica Bown & filed under Students. With many AAT students choosing to complete their qualification remotely, and a cultural shift towards hybrid working, the need for collaboration tools has never been greater. Offering a range of services such as project management systems, file-sharing platforms, communication apps and video conferencing, collaboration tools are designed to boost productivity and reduce errors. Collaboration tools are software applications that allow team members to communicate and work together in real time, wherever they are based. From tax specialists to auditors, accountants of all kinds have embraced collaboration tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams to streamline processes, minimise misunderstandings and boost overall productivity. So, whether you are keen to join a small accounting firm or the finance department of a multinational, this is likely to be a big part of your day-to-day working life. Adopting these tools as a student not only helps you to stay on track, but sets you apart from others when heading into your first professional role. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits. Key benefits for accounting collaboration tools Improving communication: effective communication is vital for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Collaboration tools help to ensure that all accounting firm employees and accounts team members are on the same page. As a student, these tools will help you to stay in touch with peers and your tutor at the click of a button.Automating mundane tasks: cloud-based tools can automate a wide range of tasks, from data entry to compliance checks. This means accounting teams can spend more time on strategic work, such as financial analysis or advising clients. As a student, these functions allow you to stay on track, take away the stress of meticulous planning and focus on the things that really matter.Enhancing accountability: accountability is critical in accounting, where small mistakes can lead to big problems. Cloud platforms improve accountability by providing transparency around who is responsible for what. As a student, collaboration tools help you to keep an eye on different projects and take responsibility for your education. Making it easier to monitor progress and productivity: cloud platforms create a transparent working environment where everyone is aware of what needs to be done and by whom. This makes it easier to identify roadblocks and ensure tasks are completed on time.Allowing teams to work together on shared documents and files: working with outdated information is a waste of time and money. Real-time data-sharing helps to avoid this by ensuring all parties have the most up-to-date information. If you’re working on a group project as a student, shareable documents are vital for the team’s success.Increasing security: security is paramount in the accounting industry. Many collaboration tools therefore offer secure platforms for storing and sharing sensitive financial data. When working towards your qualification, collaboration tools will help you securely save revision notes and any assignment content you’re working on. Familiarising yourself with one or more of these tools during your studies will improve your chances of being able to hit the ground running when you start your first job in finance – and will also look great on your CV. Parts of this article was first published in Oct-Nov 25 edition of AAT Student magazine here. Further reading Overseas students share their best tips for studying remotely How to overcome setbacks and ace your qualification 6 ways to improve your communication skills during phone calls
Overseas students share their best tips for studying remotely Posted 12/01/2025 by Harry Rogers & filed under Students. We spoke to two students about what it’s like studying with AAT while living abroad, how to stay motivated and their advice for others in the same situation. Shaiful Islam balanced night shifts and full-time childcare to pursue a Level 3 qualification with AAT while living in Bangladesh. Ellah Mogotsi is currently studying her Level 4 qualification while living in Botswana after being inspired by her mum’s passion for the industry. Here, Shaiful and Ellah share their experiences to inspire those in the same shoes to stay on-track with their qualification. What inspired you to pursue your AAT qualification? Ellah: “I was inspired by my mother who always encouraged me to pursue a solid qualification in accounting. Watching her passion for learning motivated me to follow in her footsteps. “Later on, becoming a mother myself gave me even more drive to succeed. I want to set an example for my children and show them the value of perseverance and education. “I first heard about AAT from my mother, who had started studying it but never got the chance to finish. Seeing her enthusiasm for the course made me curious, and when I looked into it myself, I realised how practical and globally recognised it was. It offered the perfect balance between flexibility and credibility for someone in my situation.” Shaiful: “My motivation was fundamentally driven by necessity and strategy. I feel like I have a strong foundation in accountancy but the challenge in the UK was verifiability. My prior experience wasn’t instantly comparable or acceptable to UK employers, and despite applying extensively, I wasn’t getting the chance to prove myself. “I needed a recognised UK standard to bridge that gap. A long-term friend achieved success after completing AAT Level 3, which gave me confidence in that path.” What challenges have you faced while studying abroad? Shaiful: “The primary challenge wasn’t the academic material; it was the constant, profound exhaustion and the domestic pressure to give up. Managing night work, full-time childcare and study meant I was running on empty. “My wife grew impatient, feeling the study wasn’t as important as the immediate need for income. I overcame this by being relentlessly strategic. I stopped counting hours and focused on quality practice. “My determination was fuelled by my past professional achievements, and my conviction that I needed this AAT qualification (and my new AATQB status) to secure a long-term professional life in the UK. I refused to let temporary exhaustion derail my family’s future.” Ellah: “The main challenges are access to resources and time zone differences for live classes. I’ve learned to rely on recorded sessions, digital materials and online support groups. Staying organised and proactive has been key.” AAT offers several ways for students to connect during their studies The Online forum – ask questions, share tips and connect with students at the same stage as you. The Lifelong Learning Portal – access study materials and connect with fellow learners. The Wellbeing Hub – find resources to support your mental health during your studies. How do you stay connected with other AAT students or tutors? Ellah: “I stay in touch through AAT’s online learning platforms and WhatsApp study groups. The sense of community really helps me stay accountable and supported. I’m part of several Facebook and Reddit groups for AAT students, and I also use First Intuition to connect with other learners and tutors. “The AAT website provides extensive resources, and the online tutor support is excellent. I also appreciate that the qualification is designed to be flexible for students around the world. Shaiful: “I had two dedicated classmates, and we formed a vital, informal study system. We would use library works during college time to practice, and if one of us missed a lecture, the other would share detailed notes and explanations. This small, reliable team was crucial for covering the material and maintaining momentum, ensuring we all stayed on track despite our individual schedules.” “I used the AAT online community as a strategic resource. I didn’t just browse; I focused on following posts and feedback from other students regarding specific courses, difficult exam questions and results.” What does your typical study routine look like? Ellah: “I usually study early in the morning before my child wakes up or late in the evening once the house is quiet. I set small goals for each session, like reviewing a single chapter or completing one practice paper to keep my momentum going. “I study part-time. Balancing study with motherhood and work can be tough, but planning ahead and setting realistic deadlines helps. I also make sure to take short breaks to avoid burnout.” Shaiful: “My routine was less a schedule and more a commitment to seizing the quiet hours. My life was essentially divided into demanding night shifts at the airport for work and full-time, hands-on childcare during the day. “I carved out my study time in the dead of night, often between 23:00 and 02:00, and relied heavily on my Tuesday and Thursday college slots as my primary study resource. “My routine was incredibly tight: leaving home at 20:00 for work, returning at 08:30, sleeping only until 11:45, and rushing to college at 16:45 on Thursdays before heading straight back to my night shift. The only real study time I had was in the classroom and the brief moments I could steal on my days off.” What advice would you give to other students abroad who may be struggling to stay motivated? Shaiful: “The first thing I tell anyone is to stop feeling guilty about not having enough time. My reality was zero study time outside of college, so you must treat the classroom, your classmates, and the AAT online community like your only lifelines. “Use your exhaustion as fuel and let your family be your focus. Every single step is proof that hard work will always prevail.” Ellah: “Take it one step at a time and celebrate small wins. Don’t isolate yourself – connect with other students online, ask for help when needed and remind yourself why you started.” What are your future goals? Ellah: “After completing AAT, I plan to continue with ACCA and possibly pursue a CFA later. I’d love to work as a financial analyst or accountant supporting local businesses in Botswana.” Shaiful: “I have completed my Level 3 qualification and now live in the UK. I have already applied for the AAT Level 4 course at Manchester College to advance my professional journey, and I am simultaneously growing my licensed practice, Altruist NW Limited, where I hold my AATQB status. “I dream big: my long-term goal is to hold a leadership position in the UK accounting sector, becoming a chartered accountant, or growing Altruist NW Limited into a large consultancy business that will not only serve the UK economy but also create valuable employment opportunities.” Further reading How to overcome setbacks and ace your qualification Top tips and ways of working for students with ADHD The career pathways available to AAT students and the skills needed for your future
HMRC’s Failure to Prevent Fraud crackdown “a watershed moment for the accounting profession” Posted 11/28/2025 by AAT Comment & filed under Anti-money laundering, Anti-money laundering, Members. The first prosecution is underway, and more could be coming. Are your risk assessments in order? HMRC’s decision to bring its first-ever corporate prosecution under the failure to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion offence is a watershed moment that marks a significant shift in the tax authority’s enforcement approach. In August, HMRC charged aStockport accountancy firm, Bennett Verby Ltd, with failing to prevent the facilitation of UK tax evasion in connection with an alleged research and development tax credits fraud. The case is the first prosecution since the offence was introduced eight years ago in the Criminal Finances Act 2017 and follows heavy criticism of HMRC’s apparent unwillingness to use the power. “The failure to prevent agenda is about changing behaviour at least as much as it is getting heads on spikes. But to have a credible deterrent you have got to occasionally have a head on a spike,” says John Binns at BCL Solicitors LLP. “It doesn’t work at all if is toothless and this case matters for that reason.” Crucial test case for further prosecutions Six individuals, including a former director at the firm, also face charges related to cheating the public revenue and money laundering. A provisional trial date is set for September 2027. Although Bennett Verby isn’t the prominent corporate entity many anticipated HMRC would pursue, this prosecution stands as a crucial test case that will clarify how the law is applied in court. The choice of an accountancy firm for the first prosecution is in keeping with HMRC’s continued crackdown on professional enablers. But Christopher Young at Kennedys Law LLP says the case should not be viewed as something that is only relevant to professional service firms. “There is no doubt that the case will be heavily scrutinised as it’s firmly believed that should HMRC secure a prosecution, we will see a significant increase in their appetite to pursue further prosecutions as soon as possible,” he says. Investigations moving from individuals to corporates The case also “signifies a step change in HMRC’s approach to criminal fraud investigations”, says David Sleight, a criminal litigation partner at Kingsley Napley LLP. HMRC has historically focussed on investigating and prosecuting individuals rather than corporates. But according to an HMRC information release on 30 June 2025 there are currently 38 “potential” corporate criminal offence investigations underway under the 2017 Act, in addition to Bennett Verby case. “Whether this case will open the flood gates for multiple prosecutions remains to be seen, but with 38 cases currently being and more to follow, accountancy and other professional service firms are certainly in the firing line,” Sleight says. Corporate obliviousness no longer a defence The only defence available to a firm is to be able to demonstrate that: it had in place reasonable procedures to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion, or having no procedures was reasonable in the relevant circumstances. Ty Francis, Chief Advisory Officer of LRN Corporation, says this prosecution “could be a watershed moment for the accounting profession” and “sends a message that corporate obliviousness is no longer a defence.” “It shows that HMRC isn’t afraid to hold professional firms to account, and that the burden of proof is shifting as now firms must now show they had reasonable prevention procedures in place, not that they were unaware of wrongdoing,” Francis says. Risk assessments are essential Sleight says accountants and other professional advisors should take stock and make sure that they have the appropriate procedures in place to protect themselves. The “absolute priority” for an organisation, says Sleight, is to make sure that it has carried out a bespoke risk assessment to identify the issues relevant to its specific business. “This assessment should not be limited to considering the types of services and advice that the firm or its employees provide but must involve a proper analysis of all work carried out by associated persons including service providers, agents, suppliers and customers,” he says. Demonstrate compliance – don’t just claim it Young also advises firms to make sure they are giving due consideration to compliance programmes and that they are fully integrated and followed within the business from the top down. He says he has witnessed businesses that believe they have a strong compliance programme simply because they have multiple compliance related documents. However, these “are usually stored on a largely unvisited page on the businesses intranet or on a shelf in the office of the head of compliance.” “Whilst it is obviously important to have all of those documents, they can be rendered obsolete if they are not up to date and being followed by all within the business,” he says. Changing enforcement landscape The case comes with corporate criminal offences under the spotlight. It must be considered in the wider context of several key legislative and policy changes that have created a more assertive enforcement landscape. These include: the landmark enactment of the failure to prevent fraud offence under Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, Companies House implementing new powers to verify identities, and the Insolvency Service planning to undertake more economic crime enforcement. “It’s fair to say that we are seeing a much more aggressive approach being taken by enforcement agencies,” says Young. Whether that is from HMRC, Companies House or the Serious Fraud Office – which has itself vowed to pursue companies using the expanded failure to prevent regime – Young says there appears to be an increase in appetite to move quicker to start a prosecution. “This appears to be the latest example of an enforcement agency demonstrating this appetite in practice,” he says. It also coincides with an overhaul of how compliance will be supervised in the UK, as the Financial Conduct Authority prepares to take over anti-money laundering supervision of law firms and accountants. AAT covers the details of those changes here. “The Bennett Verby prosecution and the FCA’s expanded remit are two sides of the same coin as both show that regulators now expect firms to demonstrate compliance, not just claim it,” says Francis at LRN.