Updated list of high-risk and other monitored jurisdictions as of October 2025 Posted 11/20/2025 by AAT Comment & filed under Anti-money laundering, Anti-money laundering, Members. FATF has announced the latest changes to high-risk third countries. Under the UK’s legislation, any business relationship or transaction with a person established in a high-risk third country (HRTC) must be subject to enhanced due diligence (EDD) (Regulation 33(1)(b), MLR 2017). 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 Under Regulation 33(3)(a) MLR 2017, a HRTC is defined as: “a country named on either of the following lists published by the Financial Action Task Force as they have effect from time to time high-risk jurisdictions subject to a call for action (i.e. ‘black list’) jurisdictions under increased monitoring (i.e. ‘grey list’)” The latest Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Plenary concluded on 24 October 2025, with the following outcomes: ‘Black list’ Jurisdictions subject to a FATF call on its members and other jurisdictions to apply countermeasures (‘black list’). No changes were made to black list countries. The list of high-risk jurisdictions still includes the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Iran, and Myanmar. ‘Grey list’ Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring (‘grey list’). Countries removed from the grey list Burkina Faso Mozambique Nigeria South Africa No new jurisdictions were added to the grey list. The full list of grey list countries is available here. What does this mean for your firm, including sole practitioners? Consider whether the changes to the grey list mean your clients are no longer connected to a HRTC and review the level of customer due diligence required using a risk-based approach. Any changes made to the risk associated with a client, must be recorded in writing. Ensure your clients’ onboarding procedures, Policies, Controls and Procedures (PCPs) and your firm-wide risk assessment refer to the FATF’s lists. These lists are updated three times a year, on the final day of each FATF plenary meeting, held every February, June and October. AAT’s AML helpline AAT’s AML helpline offers advice for AAT-supervised firms on all aspects of complying with the Money Laundering Regulations, such as advice on how to report suspected illegal activity. To discuss any questions you might have, call us on +44 (0)20 7367 1347 or email [email protected]. We also have a dedicated page with the AML recourses. Future of 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 our licensed members and carry out our normal responsibilities, including Practice Assurance Reviews and risk assessment activities. Therefore, our members must ensure full compliance with the MLR 2017. More on the consultation response can be found 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
How to overcome setbacks and ace your qualification Posted 11/20/2025 by Harry Rogers & filed under Students. Here’s why perseverance and adopting a positive attitude is so important as a student on your AAT journey. Failing an assessment or hitting a bump in your studies can feel like the end of the world. But setbacks are part of the learning process. Every successful accountant has faced challenges along the way. What matters is how you respond. If you’ve just had disappointing results or you’re struggling to stay motivated, here’s how to turn things around: 1. Pause, breathe and put it in perspective It’s natural to feel frustrated or anxious after a setback. Give yourself permission to feel those emotions – then take a moment to reflect on your situation. One assessment doesn’t define your ability or your future career. Why not try a quick breathing exercise to calm your mind: inhale for five seconds, hold for five, exhale for five and repeat five times. This simple technique lowers stress and helps you think clearly before planning your next steps. 2. Shift your mindset from confidence to motivation Confidence often comes after success, not before. Instead, focus on motivation. Ask yourself, ‘Why am I doing this?’ Is it for a promotion, a new career, or financial independence? Visualising your end goal can reignite your determination to do well. 3. Learn from what went wrong Failure isn’t final, it just offers you feedback into your performance, so always review your assessment report or mock results. Did you run out of time, misread questions, or struggle with written tasks? Common pitfalls include poor time management and skipping checks at the end. Use leftover time to review answers and practise under timed conditions. 4. Create conditions for success It’s always worth using different techniques to get used to working under pressure: Simulate exam conditions: during practice, remain silent and don’t take on any distractions. Break revision into chunks: 30 – 40 minutes is a good starting point with short breaks. Use active techniques: use mock papers or Green Light tests on the Lifelong Learning Portal to get ready for the real thing. 5. Build resilience through self-kindness Self-criticism can drain your energy. Instead, practise self-compassion. It can be tough at first, but noticing negative self-talk and replacing this comment with a positive spin can help retrain your brain and boost motivation. For example, “I must” can change to “I choose to”, or “I can’t pass this assessment” transforms into “I have a great opportunity to pass this assessment”. Always celebrate small wins and write down these achievements to look back on if you encounter difficult times. You may also like to set realistic expectations of yourself while you study. 6. Reach out as you’re not alone Join AAT forums, WhatsApp groups or Silent Study Sessions to connect with others on the same journey as you. Sharing experiences and tips with other peers can reduce stress and combats feelings of isolation. 7. Keep the end goal in sight Every accountant who’s qualified through AAT has faced obstacles. Take inspiration from AAT members like Dana Henželová, or Deepika Deepika who overcame huge adversity to achieve their AAT qualifications. Everyone has an inspiring story to tell, so take encouragement from others and apply their willingness to your own studies. Student support Don’t forget that AAT offers a range of resources to help you manage stress, improve your study techniques and stay motivated: AAT Wellbeing Hub: access webinars, videos and articles on managing stress, building resilience and staying positive. Lifelong Learning Portal: find practice assessments, e-learning tools and guidance documents to strengthen your knowledge. Green Light Tests: trial how will you understand something and identify areas for improvement before your next assessment. AAT Discussion Forums – Connect with other students, share experiences and get peer support. Further reading We answer your most common concerns when it comes to studying with AAT AAT students: what are chief examiner reports and how can they help you? From AAT student to AAT member: the next steps for your career
Direct debit: What every accountant should know Posted 11/20/2025 by Adfin & filed under Members. This content is brought to you by Adfin. Every accountant has felt the pain of late payments, manual chasing, and the awkward “just bumping this to the top of your inbox” emails. Direct debit is brilliant at fixing much of this – it means less chasing, more predictable payments and better cash flow. At the same time, as with any payment method, there’s always a few things to watch out for. We’ll dig into what accountants should bear in mind when getting paid with direct debit, and how payments software like Adfin can support. Why direct debit is great for accountants Reliable cash flow. Once a client signs a mandate, collections run like clockwork. Invoices get scheduled for collection on the due date (wherever possible), so you know when the money will land in your bank account. Better client experience. Clients don’t need to remember to pay every month. It’s one quick mandate, then they’re done – and they still get clear notice before each collection. Direct debit also helps your clients’ cash flow as well as your own – breaking down chunky fees like annual accounts into manageable instalments. Flexible amounts. Once a mandate is signed, you can invoice for varying amounts. This makes direct debit great for things like software subscriptions – if the price changes, all you do is update the invoice (and no need for your client to do anything at all). What to be aware of Your client needs to sign a direct debit mandate. This authorises you to take payments from their account on an ongoing basis. Collection timings are set by the scheme. Direct debit isn’t instant; clients get advance notice and funds settle a few working days after the due date. Occasional payment failures. Insufficient funds or account issues do happen. Reconciling bulk settlement. Keeping track of your direct debit payments can be difficult when they are settled in bulk: since direct debit payments are settled in a single payout from your provider, it can be difficult to reconcile this to invoices in your accounting software. How your payments software can help Embedding mandate signatures into your existing workflows. Lots of accounting firms ask clients to sign a mandate alongside the proposal when they start working together. At Adfin, we’ve built integrations with leading practice management tools like Engager and Socket, so you can send direct debits directly from those platforms. Ensuring funds land when you expect them. If you’re not sure when to set your due date so money lands when it needs to, you can choose a target settlement date instead in Adfin, and we’ll work backwards to when to debit your client. Having fallback options for direct debit failures. Adfin doesn’t charge for failed payments. If a payment does fail, we make sure you have a fallback – you can retry or switch automatically to an instant option (card, pay by bank, Apple Pay, Google Pay). Reconciling automatically in your accounting software. Adfin integrates with Xero and QuickBooks, and will automatically mark invoices as paid when we settle funds to you. How to get started with direct debit Direct debit takes the friction out of getting paid, but the details matter. At Adfin, we’ve built customised retries, instant fallbacks, and much more – all tied into your existing accounting tools. Like what you’re hearing about Adfin, but already using another direct debit provider? It’s easier than you think to switch providers – we’ve built products to migrate over all your invoices and mandates smoothly. With our mandate migration offering, clients don’t even need to sign new mandates – we’ll move them from your old provider with no interruptions to collections and no paperwork. To learn more about how Adfin can support you with direct debit, visit our website or book a demo. This content is brought to you by Adfin.
How could Cop30 impact accountants? Posted 11/18/2025 by Christian Koch & filed under Climate change, Members, Sustainable Business. Accountancy is on the agenda as world leaders gather in Brazil. Here are some of the opportunities that could come your way. The Cop30 climate summit is bringing together world leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, environmental activists, royals and… accountants! The likes of KPMG and Deloitte, as well as industry non-profits such as the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) will be attending the summit, hosting events and contributing to panel discussions. Carbon credits, sustainable investment and net zero transitions are all on the agenda at the annual climate talks currently taking place in Belém, Brazil. But how will these discussions impact the jobs accountants will do in the years to come? ESG Reporting for Accountants Sustainability is a reporting reality. Learn to connect sustainability insights to financial performance with our AAT Masterclass. Sign up now Changing climate, changing attitudes Over the last 15 years there’s been a growing idea that the solution to climate change isn’t just about planting trees but managing balance sheets too. Accountants’ roles have been shifting for some time now, in part thanks to AI adoption. Accountants are expected to support businesses with data analysis, market trend predictions and strategic decision-making. Carbon accounting is one more area where they’re providing value. Accountants will play a crucial role in helping businesses and countries hit their sustainability targets, whether it’s assessing a company’s carbon footprint or environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting. As countries transition towards these net zero goals, accountants will be rolling up their sleeves and diving into ESG transparency, sustainable finance/impact investing, plus scrutinising businesses’ supply chains. As such, there will be increased demand for accountants with sustainability knowledge. Still, accountants working on ESG-related finances could face challenges. Cop30 is likely to reveal that many countries have varying commitments when it comes to achieving their sustainability targets. Also, 2025 so far has seen many large corporations scale back on sustainability. Over half (54%) of British businesses said they have changed the way they approach ethical policies and practices this year, according to recent research from law firm Freeths. From carbon credits to climate risk reporting, here’s what’s likely to be on the agenda at Cop30 over the next fortnight, and how it could result in green-collar opportunities for accountants. 1 Helping businesses transition to net zero What is it? At Cop15 in Paris a decade ago, 196 countries (almost every nation on Earth) signed a climate deal to limit global warming to below 2C above pre-industrial levels. As part of this agreement, many countries and businesses pledged to make net zero transitions. The UK, for example, currently plans to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Nations are also required to submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs) at Cop30. Those are climate action plans detailing how they will achieve these goals. Alongside this, a new UN framework is likely to be adopted to help governments and businesses put people at the heart of their net zero transitions, including creating new jobs and offering training in green industries. How can accountants help? The net zero sector in the UK is big, growing three times faster than the British economy and employing nearly one million people, according to the CBI. Accountants are already part of this burgeoning sector, integrating climate goals into companies’ financial forecasts to help them develop and track their net zero strategies. There are also more opportunities for accountants as strategic climate advisers. Organisations which are reducing their carbon emissions want to stay profitable at the same time. Businesses are looking for smart and creative thinkers, and accountants areincreasingly helping. Whether that’s giving guidance on the operational costs of upgrading to energy-efficient lighting, adopting a fleet of electric vehicles or changing their energy supply to renewable sources. On a national level, accountants will advise policymakers on issues such as carbon taxation or subsidies for green technologies such as solar power. There are also international opportunities for accountants. The global sustainability market is set to hit $54bn (£41bn) while ESG risk and reporting is forecast to grow 7% in 2025 to $9.5bn (£7.2bn) according to Source Global Research. The Middle East is the fastest-growing sector, as countries such as Saudi Arabia and UAE attempt to diversify their economies away from oil. 2 Encouraging sustainable investment What is it? At Cop30 will likely introduce new plans driving sustainable and impact investment. Businesses will be encouraged to incorporate ESG factors into their decision-making (such as banning companies involved in fossil fuels from their supply chain) or to invest in eco-focused companies (such as a social enterprise providing solar power for communities in Africa). How can accountants help? Businesses will need accountants to help them invest in sustainable technologies and startups that will deliver a long-term return on investment. Many governments are offering green tax incentives and subsidies to help businesses invest in clean technologies, and accountants will need to help businesses navigate this funding. They will also help advise businesses on green bonds and sustainable loans. There are growing concerns about the effectiveness of climate financing, with Bill Gates making a plea on his website just before the Belém conference: “I urge everyone at Cop30 to ask . . . is the money designated for climate being spent on the right things? I believe the answer is no.” Therefore, accountants will help ensure businesses’ sustainable investments are well-managed and transparent. 3 Assessing carbon credits and carbon markets What is it? To help finance the decarbonisation of the global economy, huge sums of money are needed. Carbon credits and carbon markets can accelerate this transition by giving businesses and governments financial incentives to reduce their emissions. Businesses can buy and sell carbon credits – with each carbon credit equal to a ton of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere and coming from sources such as tree-planting schemes or renewable energy projects. When businesses trade such carbon credits through a carbon market, it creates a mechanism for pricing carbon, which can generate funding for carbon offset projects such as reforestation. For nations, trading on a carbon market helps them contribute to cutting global emissions at a faster rate. For example, if a major polluter such as China or the US is having problems cutting emissions in line with their NDCs and net zero commitments, they could pay for a large-scale reforestation project in South America, or solar power initiatives in Africa. This would help push the world further towards meeting its target of reaching the international climate target of 2C. Carbon markets are expected to feature prominently at Cop30. The complex accounting rules and standards needed to trade on international carbon markets are set to be established and finalised at the summit. Brazil has already spearheaded a new coalition at Cop30 aiming to make carbon trading more effective: the UK, China and the European Union have all signed up. How can accountants help? Some sectors are more difficult to decarbonise than others, such as steel, chemicals and aviation. In these industries, accountants can help organisations calculate their carbon credits and give financial advice on carbon offset projects. However, trust in carbon credits is somewhat shaky thanks to a series of recent fraud scandals and exposés about environmentally useless credits. One 2023 investigation by The Guardian found many of the forest carbon offsets used by businesses such as Disney, Shell and Gucci were “worthless”. Therefore, robust accountancy practices are crucial to ensure carbon markets work well. This could involve helping businesses evaluate any carbon credits they may have purchased (and verifying whether they represent real reductions) plus transparent reporting on carbon credit transactions. 4 Working on climate adaptation What is it? Climate adaptation involves helping communities adjust to the impact of climate change, such as strengthening flood barriers to protect cities from rising sea levels or retrofitting buildings so they’re more resilient to extreme weather such as hurricanes or heatwaves. How can accountants help? At Cop29 in Baku last year, wealthier countries committed to give developing nations at least $300bn (about £227bn) a year by 2035 to help them combat climate change. Accountants are expected to play a role in helping determine how this money will be used. They will also be needed to help businesses and governments develop financial strategies to help adjust to climate change. ESG Reporting for Accountants Sustainability is a reporting reality. Learn to connect sustainability insights to financial performance with our AAT Masterclass. Sign up now
How accountants can help SMEs be sustainable Posted 11/18/2025 by Olivia Fisher & filed under Climate change, Members, Sustainable Business. Part two of a mini-series on steps you can take to help your clients, or your own business, overcome barriers and build in sustainable practices. The first person many SMEs go to for guidance is their accountant, making them essential in embedding sustainability into everyday business decisions. Accountants can add real value by: Discussing sustainability during year-end reviews and risk assessments. Helping clients understand the financial risks of inaction. Building simple business cases that show the return on investment of greener choices. Introducing basic carbon tracking methods, such as recording direct and indirect emissions. Encouraging clients to communicate their progress clearly and honestly. When accountants lead the way, they help clients make practical, ethical decisions while building their own reputation as trusted advisers. ESG Reporting for Accountants Sustainability is a reporting reality. Learn to connect sustainability insights to financial performance with our AAT Masterclass. Sign up now Overcome common barriers Sustainability can feel overwhelming. Let’s look at a few common barriers to change, and how you can overcome them. Cost concerns – Many owners assume sustainability means extra expense. In fact, cutting waste or switching to renewable energy can lower running costs and improve resilience. Knowledge gaps – You can’t manage what you don’t understand. Start by learning about climate issues and how they relate to your sector. Once you know the basics, the next steps become clearer. Time constraints – Running a small business can be all-consuming. If time is tight, nominate a team member to take the lead or seek help from a specialist. The key is to start somewhere and keep moving forward. Four-step approach to building in sustainable practices Becoming a sustainable business is a gradual process. Sustainability needs to be built into everyday operations. 1. Educate yourself and your team – Build awareness of sustainability and why it matters to your business. 2. Set realistic goals – Create a plan to reduce emissions and waste with clear timelines. 3. Take action – Implement your plan step by step and review what’s working. 4. Report and celebrate progress – Share your results, be honest about challenges and celebrate the wins. Customers appreciate honesty and transparency. Every business is on its own journey, and even small improvements show commitment. Pick one action to take If you do just one thing after reading this, pick one action to try this month. Maybe it’s tracking your energy use or reviewing your suppliers. See how your team responds and note any savings or positive feedback. That experience will help shape your next steps. When you make progress, your clients notice. Every small action builds momentum and together they create the kind of resilient, sustainable business that’s ready for the future. Learn more Sustainability Suite, who wrote this article, will be delivering an ESG reporting masterclass for AAT on 15 January 2026. This practical course shows accountants how to collect, analyse and report on ESG data with rigour. They also recently ran an exclusive webinar for AAT members. To learn more, members can log into the AAT Learning Portal and look for Sustainability – CPD Bitesize for practical learning outcomes on the evolving role of finance professionals. Sustainability Suite also feature a free checklist of 15 practical actions to help reduce emissions on their website. Read part one and part three, and keep an eye out for more in this mini-series. ESG Reporting for Accountants Sustainability is a reporting reality. Learn to connect sustainability insights to financial performance with our AAT Masterclass. Sign up now
Working with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Posted 11/18/2025 by Annie Makoff & filed under Members, Mental health. OCD is widely misunderstood. Here’s how two people are working with the condition, and what employers can do. Freelance practice accountant and bookkeeper Natalie Micu AATQB works with clients across several industries: manufacturing, online retail, software and engineering as well as the wellbeing sector. But there’s something slightly different in how Natalie works. She relates to clients on a deeply personal level, sharing some of her own circumstances while clients share theirs. It serves two purposes: building and maintaining client relationships is crucial for business success, but also, it’s a way for Natalie to ensure she works with people who understand and accept her. Natalie, who speaks six languages and is highly skilled in QuickBooks, Sage, fraud analysis and forensic accounting, has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which developed following 20 years of domestic abuse. Her memories, she says, are still with her, sometimes returning as flashbacks. And some things still trigger her. “I did eventually leave the abusive relationship, but the experience has affected my life in huge ways,” says Natalie. “If someone raises their voice, regardless of the situation, I have a ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response. I become extremely agitated, upset, nervous and very tearful.” PTSD can develop following distressing or life-threatening events such as war, sexual assault and, as in Natalie’s case, domestic abuse. Symptoms can include intense flashbacks and intrusive memories, severe emotional distress or avoidance of certain activities or places that may trigger a memory. It’s possible that Natalie’s OCD developed as an unconscious coping technique – a way to bring order, control and stability into her world. For example, Natalie says she always needs to know where certain things are. When she worked in an office environment, she’d have a box of things she’d take to and from the office and would become ‘extremely anxious’ if she couldn’t find them. She also needs to arrange things such as files or books and arrange them in a certain order and she likes things to be clean and tidy. A lot of people think ‘that’s irrational’ and they’re absolutely right, but rationality goes out the window with OCD. Nick Elston Nick Elston, Inspirational Speaker of Lived Experience and Mental Coach, developed OCD and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) after witnessing a family accident in his childhood. He explains “OCD behaviours try to help you control the uncontrollable. For me, that meant checking gas or light switches three times. Even at the age of seven, I feared I would bring harm to my family if I didn’t do these things. You’re fuelled by compulsive, intrusive thoughts. A lot of people think ‘that’s irrational’ and they’re absolutely right, but rationality goes out the window with OCD.” In Natalie’s case, she’s sometimes struggled in job interviews if there is a shelf with files or documents – she has to stop herself from trying to organise them. And when she’s away on holiday, Natalie has to inspect, check and clean every inch of the accommodation until she experiences relief from her compulsive thoughts. Yet this relief only lasts so long. If Nick asks for emotional reassurance from someone or checks a gas appliance a certain number of times, twenty minutes later, he’ll need to repeat the behaviour. So what exactly is OCD and how does it manifest? OCD is characterised by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours which can be extremely distressing. There may be repeated, unwanted thoughts or images which can lead to a ‘compulsion’ to act to experience temporary relief. Someone with a fear of illness or disease for example, may need to clean constantly, or constantly check on loved ones and experience extreme anxiety if loved ones leave the house. Nick believes that OCD as a pathological diagnosis just isn’t generally understood to the depth it should be, even though it’s a term many are familiar with. There are many light-hearted television programmes such as Channel 4’s Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners, but this just trivialises it. “You might hear people say ‘I’m a little bit OCD’. Well no, you’re not OCD. It’s a very painful, frustrating and debilitating condition.” This lack of understanding can cause problems in the workplace. Natalie herself has struggled – and having both PTSD and OCD has made it impossible to continue in an office environment. It’s why she took the decision to become freelance. “One of my employers was very impatient and unsympathetic,” Natalie recalls. “Whenever I was in an emotional state he’d get very frustrated and ask me, ‘do you actually want to work here?’ What I needed was support and to be understood.” The need for validation and the space to be herself is essential for Natalie’s mental health. It’s why her primary focus is on working with clients who understand and who have similar experiences. The relationships she builds with clients early on ensures they’re both a match, emotionally and professionally. In this way, she doesn’t just provide skilled accountancy work and advisory services, but she offers emotional support, too. “Many of my clients have their own mental health difficulties whether it’s ADHD, autism or OCD and I support them in what they’re going through,” she says. “I don’t want anyone to go through what I went through, so I make sure I’m a shoulder to cry on. My clients are like family – we’ve built very strong relationships and have bonded. To me, that’s just as important as providing accountancy services.” Providing support With OCD affecting 12 in every 1,000 people according to OCD-UK charity and 1 in 10 people experiencing PTSD at some point in their lives according to PTSD UK, what should employers do to support their employees to ensure they’re continuing to thrive in their roles? For Nick, utilising lived experience to foster understanding and awareness is absolutely key. “If there’s someone with lived experience willing to share their experiences with their peer group, that’s always going to be powerful. Lived experience is the perfect vehicle to drive engagement to solutions.” Clear communication and psychological safety where employees can speak privately to their line manager is also important, Nick adds. “It needs to be easy for people to speak confidentially if they need to. You can actually be high performing and highly functioning but still struggling and no one will know otherwise.” From a practical point of view, Nick recommends that line managers communicate clearly about tasks and objectives. “Some people with OCD like me need clarity. I need specific instructions or I just lose focus completely or, conversely, I get bogged down in too much detail.” Working flexibly can help too, particularly if the office environment creates anxiety. Then there’s the importance of talking therapies which can be extremely beneficial for some people. For Nick though, enabling people to form community groups and share experiences can be an immensely valuable tool. “OCD manifests in many different ways,” he explains. “We need to have those human-to-human conversations to understand this in psychologically safe spaces. I always say that the deeper we share, the stronger the sense of community.” Resources Charities that advocate for OCD support OCD Action OCD-UK Training workshops OCD-UK’s workshops Mind’s workshops Reasonable adjustments An overview For employers For employees Self-help Things you can do
Tax compliance just got more complex – here’s how to simplify it Posted 11/17/2025 by Xero & filed under Tax. This content is brought to you by Xero. The tax landscape is shifting dramatically in 2026, and many accounting practices will find themselves navigating uncharted territory. For the first time, you’ll be managing clients across two completely different tax regimes simultaneously – traditional Self Assessment returns alongside the new Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) requirements. This isn’t just about learning new software or updating processes. It’s about fundamentally rethinking how your practice operates during what could be the most challenging tax season yet. While some clients transition to quarterly MTD submissions, others will continue with annual Self Assessment returns, creating a complex web of deadlines, requirements, and compliance obligations that could easily overwhelm even the most organised practices. The dual-regime challenge that’s reshaping practices The reality facing practices in 2026 is unprecedented: you’ll be simultaneously preparing Self Assessment returns for the 2025/26 tax year while managing quarterly MTD submissions for clients earning above £50,000. This means handling compliance work for two tax years at once, with overlapping deadlines that could create significant resource strain. Consider the timing complexity alone – while you’re completing traditional Self Assessment returns due in January 2027, you’ll also need to prepare the third quarterly MTD update due just days later in February. This convergence of obligations represents more than double the usual workload during your busiest period. The challenge extends beyond mere volume. Each regime requires different documentation, follows distinct submission processes, and demands separate client education approaches. Without the right strategy, practices risk being spread too thin across multiple systems, potentially compromising service quality and increasing the likelihood of errors or missed deadlines. Future-proofing your practice with unified compliance solutions The key to thriving during this transitional period lies in adopting systems that can handle both tax regimes seamlessly. Rather than maintaining separate processes for MTD and Self Assessment clients, forward-thinking practices are implementing unified approaches that streamline compliance across all client types. Modern accounting software solutions can automatically map transactions to appropriate tax categories, flow bookkeeping data directly into draft returns, and manage submission deadlines across both regimes. This integration eliminates the manual admin of copying figures between systems and reduces the risk of errors that come with juggling multiple tools. The strategic advantage becomes clear when you consider scalability. Practices using integrated solutions can handle the increased compliance workload without proportionally increasing staff or resources. They can delegate work more effectively, maintain quality control through built-in review processes, and provide clients with consistent service regardless of which tax regime applies to them. Transforming complexity into competitive advantage What initially appears as a compliance burden can actually become a significant differentiator for your practice. The complexity of managing dual tax regimes creates an opportunity to demonstrate your expertise and provide enhanced value to clients who are struggling to understand their new obligations. Practices that master this transition early can position themselves as specialists in Making Tax Digital compliance, attracting clients from competitors who are still grappling with the changes. The ability to seamlessly manage both traditional and digital tax submissions becomes a compelling selling point that justifies premium pricing. Moreover, the quarterly nature of MTD submissions opens doors for more frequent client interactions and advisory opportunities. Instead of annual compliance conversations, you can provide ongoing tax planning, cash flow insights, and strategic guidance throughout the year – transforming your practice from a compliance service provider into a trusted business advisor. Download the complete guide to discover implementation strategies, workflow optimisation techniques, and actionable solutions your practice can implement during this transformational tax season. Join the partner programme to access comprehensive resources and tools that can help your practice stay on top of changing compliance regulations and meet client deadlines. This content is brought to you by Xero.
Finding a purpose with AAT: how one student gave up everything for a better future Posted 11/14/2025 by Harry Rogers & filed under Inspiring stories, Students. We speak to AAT student Filomena Rodrigues about how she never gave up on her studies, even when her life had been turned upside down. Five years ago, Filomena Rodrigues arrived in the UK as a single mum of three and a dream of a better life. With little more than the clothes on her back and some friends to offer her young family shelter in a new country, her life was in turmoil following the breakdown of her marriage. She had tried to pursue a career in accounting while living in her home state of Goa in India but put her studies on hold to work on her relationship. Now free from her past, Filomena had a burning desire to reignite her accountancy flame. She promised herself that this would be the start of something great. And it was when she found AAT. “Starting from scratch in a new country was not easy, but I chose to see every challenge as an opportunity,” she said. “I began my journey with AAT Level 2 and chose to study with AAT because it offers a practical and flexible pathway into a respected accounting career. “I wanted to use the foundations of accounting I had learned in India and carry them forward. It was a way of changing my path instead of just sitting and crying over what had happened in my life.” Balancing home life with studying Choosing to study while bringing up a young family on your own is a tough ask, but Filomena found that AAT gave her independence to find the right balance of home and work life. She said: “I always say that AAT gave me a practical and flexible pathway into a respected accounting career. As a single parent and new to the country, I wanted a qualification that would allow me to build a stable future for my family while balancing full-time work and family responsibilities. “The AAT qualification stood out to me because it focuses on real-world skills that are recognised and valued by employers across different industries.” It wasn’t always easy, but Filomena switched her mindset to see how great of an opportunity this could be. “The first six months of my Level 2 qualification were really tough,” she said. “I didn’t have any work, and what little money I did get, I invested straight back into my education. I didn’t see it as an expense but more of an investment. I invested in the course for a better future for me and my children.” The journey from Level 2 to Level 4 By completing her Level 2 qualification Filomena was given her first proper job as a purchase ledger clerk. That investment she made had paid off. But she wasn’t done there. The income she gained meant she could finance her Level 3 qualification alongside setting up her own bookkeeping company, before passing this and moving on to study Level 4. In this time, she also achieved her AATQB license. To date she has never failed an assessment and admits that the AAT journey is something that sets people up to succeed. “For me it was the scenario-based questions that helped me the most as I had never learned like that. It meant that I was prepared to apply these skills to real-world scenarios. “Each qualification level brings further skills and more complex situations to learn from which only helped me progress and think like a proper worker. Each level helped me think and feel like an accountant.” “AAT has given me confidence and I truly feel empowered – it has transformed my life. When I came here, I was scared. I’m not scared anymore because I have AAT backing me.” Advancing through each AAT level was always the pathway Filomena wanted to take. As she works towards her Level 4 qualification, she reflects on the route and encourages others to potentially follow in her footsteps. “I always wanted to finish Level 4 so I was able to call myself a qualified account. I just want to keep learning and see what happens next. Today, I am proud to have completed AAT Levels 2 and 3, and I am now studying Level 4 while running my own bookkeeping business. “The AAT qualification is not just a path to a career, it’s a journey of personal growth, empowerment and transformation.” AATQB and setting up her own business By completing her bookkeeping qualification with AAT, Filomena has been able to set up FR Bookkeeping Limited to support her dream of finishing Level 4 and becoming qualified. While she only has one client currently, she hopes to grow the business. Being her own boss was something she had never considered. She said: “It was actually an AAT article that gave me the idea, because I loved the thought of working when I needed to, and giving my children the time back that they did not have when I first arrived in the UK. “I now spend half my time at home, so it’s a good feeling because I don’t have to go and work for somebody else and ask them for time off. It gave me the freedom to concentrate on passing my assessments.” Belief in a future career It’s through Filomena’s patience, hard work and resilience that has opened doors that were once firmly closed. She now finds herself in a secure job as her own boss, and close to being a fully qualified accountant. She confesses that she is a completely different person to the one who came to the UK half a decade ago. “AAT has given me confidence and I truly feel empowered – it has transformed my life,” she said. “When I came here, I was scared. I’m not scared anymore because I have AAT backing me. “I’m a single parent who came to the UK with no financial support. I now feel like AAT has become my family.” Everyone who studies with AAT has a story. They have a reason to follow this pathway. In Filomena’s case, she was chasing a purpose, which is something she recommends others to do. She added: “The best way to stay motivated is for you to see your purpose in life. My purpose in life is to give a brilliant future to my kids. “If you ever feel overwhelmed, or self-doubt creeps in, looking back at your purpose shows you how best to move forward. Always remember why you started studying in the first place and you’ll learn how to overcome anything.” Further reading We answer your most common concerns when it comes to studying with AAT The career pathways available to AAT students and the skills needed for your future Top tips and ways of working for students with ADHD
5 tips from a psychologist to redeem your mental health Posted 11/14/2025 by AAT Comment & filed under Members, Mental health. From planning ahead to giving back to others, here are five top tips from a professional to help you take care of yourself. When I work with clients in therapy sessions, I explain to them that threatened brains are real energy drains – and that constant levels of threat aren’t sustainable. So, what can we do to help ourselves have the best chance of coming through a difficult period as emotionally unscathed as possible? Here are some approaches that I find helpful. 1. Give yourself a break Take the pressure off yourself by planning your workload as much much as possible. This will streamline your workflow and remove many of the crunch moments that can prove so stressful. Automating your admin can also help with taking a load off your mind and allow you to focus on the essentials. 2. Rest properly Do yourself a favour and try to go to bed in good time at least a few times a week, this way you can fall asleep and still achieve a full eight hours before your alarm goes off in the morning. If you’re working at home, don’t be tempted to break the routine just because you can sleep in later. 3. Plan things to look forward to If we can get into the habit of planning things in advance that we know will help us to feel cared for, it can boost your morale. It might be that you plan to cook a particular favourite meal, or schedule in a chat with a friend in advance. It could even be as simple as doing a task at work that you particularly enjoy. Small, simple and achievable incentives to help us through this difficult time can make all the difference. 4. Give back While you may struggle to find time in your busy schedule, helping others or spending time with people you care about goes a long way. It might be as simple as connecting with people on LinkedIn or Facebook who are striving to be in the job role that you’re in right now and offering them advice and guidance. It could be signing up for some voluntary work or just buying some extra bits for the food bank when you do your shopping. Research tells us that those who demonstrate kindness regularly to others actually have better self-esteem, improved mood and reduced stress levels. 5. Talk to a professional If you are struggling with your mental health, do talk to a professional. There is no judgment or shame in doing this. I didn’t feel ashamed when I reached out to an accountant to help me get things ironed out, and I’m so pleased I did because she makes my life better. In the same vein, it’s okay for the help relationship to be reversed and for you to reach out for experienced mental health support and guidance if you need it. Dr Marianne Trent is a clinical psychologist and author of The Grief Collective: Stories of Life, Loss & Learning to Heal.
AAT success stories: building a seven-figure accounting firm in five years Posted 11/13/2025 by Marianne Curphey & filed under Inspiring stories. Rachel Harris has created a successful business, worked with Downing Street and landed a regular finance column in Stylist magazine across half a decade. Here, she talks about making it happen and the role AAT has played in her career. Rachel Harris at a glance… Age: 30Years in accounting: 5Name of businesses: @accountant_she and striveXTop tip for students: Say yes to things that scare you and be ready to push through the discomfort. Rachel Harris FMAAT loved maths at school but was told by a careers adviser that she would find accountancy “too boring”. Given that she now runs an accountancy business with clients including celebrities from Love Island, The Traitors and Dragons’ Den, makes regular television appearances and has worked with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, that advice has turned out to be rather wide of the mark. When Harris first started out with an AAT qualification, she could not have imagined that it would one day lead her to Downing Street, a BBC show and a column in one of the UK’s leading women’s magazines. But, like many people who have started their accountancy journey with AAT, she found the qualification opened doors far beyond spreadsheets and tax returns. Opening doors to a vibrant new career Coming from a disadvantaged background, Harris decided not to go to university but instead took a business administration apprenticeship in the finance department of Cherwell District Council in Oxfordshire. She wanted to get practical experience of working and studying as she self-funded AAT Level 2, then worked in industry while being funded through Levels 3 and 4. “I was a free school meals and charity shop kid, so university was not an option,” she explains. In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, she studied for an MBA at Cranfield School of Management in Bedfordshire, using the course to create and research her business strategy to build a dream accountancy business that disrupted traditional models. Upon completion, she set up an accountancy business called striveX and created @accountant_she, which builds her personal brand, attracts new clients and delivers business growth. Harris has leveraged the core accountancy skills she learnt with AAT into a dynamic new career. Her personal brand on social media provides regular content and financial advice for the business owners and would-be accountants who follow her. Through short-form content, she also shows the human side of running a firm, highlighting the real highs and tough days of business ownership with honesty and humour. That storytelling landed her a regular writing role with Stylist magazine, where she covers financial issues affecting women. She says that her online content, which started in a small way, was the key to attracting the interest of Stylist and Downing Street. “Even when you think no one is looking, they are,” she says. “My content aims to challenge the stereotype of an accountant and show what ambition and leadership looks like when you are a young woman in finance.” Her work with Downing Street has enabled her to communicate to government what business owners are looking for and she has participated in press conferences, including the spring statement with chancellor Rachel Reeves. Yet Harris is also honest about how hard she is working to run the business, lead her team and carve out a spare hour each day to walk her black Labrador. Five key highlights from Rachel’s career journey She started with an AAT qualification, which laid the foundation for building her own successful accounting firm. Harris scaled her business to two offices – Oxford and Manchester – with a growing team and newly approved audit licence. She built a personal brand with more than 120,000 Instagram followers, using storytelling to make finance accessible and engaging. She became the first financial columnist for Stylist magazine, offering fresh, honest takes on financial topics for women. Harris has collaborated with Downing Street, advising on financial literacy, representing business owners and even joining press briefings. The future: AI and human skills combined Within the accountancy industry, there has been much debate about the impact of AI, with some gloomy predictions suggesting that it will reduce the number of jobs available to new accountants. Harris sees AI as an opportunity and another tool in her skillset. She wants to champion it as a tool to enhance, not replace, accountants, emphasising the importance of critical thinking and human judgment in financial work. “I probably use AI between 20 and 40 times a day,” she says. “Accountants are not going to be replaced by AI. They are more likely to be replaced by accountants who can use AI better than them.” Her wider mission is clear – making financial education accessible for everyone, especially for those who, like Harris once did, feel like outsiders to the world of money. “I accidentally became financially educated because I wanted to become an accountant,” she says. “What about the people who don’t want to become accountants but want to understand ISAs or Premium Bonds?” Harris’s career shows what can happen when talent, determination and a professional qualification come together. For any AAT student wondering how to get started, she suggests you start with one platform and one purpose. “Say yes to things that scare you and be ready to push through the discomfort,” she explains. “With the right mindset and your AAT qualifications, being an accountant can be the most exciting job in the world.” This article was first published in Oct-Nov 25 edition of AAT Student magazine here. Further reading AAT success stories: swapping animal care for a career in finance AAT success stories: studying alongside playing professional football AAT success stories: escaping slavery and finding a new life with AAT