I just wondered if anyone would be so kind and be able to shed some light on Joining the AAT as a MIP- I'm sure there are a few on here?
So I qualified with AAT in 2011 and started ACCA (no longer doing) so didn't go for full membership, but now im at a stage in my life where im taking a step back and reviewing things.
So at the moment I run my very small practice and have MLR under HMRC as I didn't want to pay AAT fees (back then), but am thinking about being more credible to my peers!
So, please could someone tell me the costs (im confused by the website) and how I go about getting sign off in order to offer services such as, Payroll, All Bookkeeping and accounting, Personal Tax and Business Tax, as I know a lot has changed since I last investigated this stuff with them :)
I will give them a call, but wondered if someone could pass on there experience? and if its worth it?
If you are a full member of the AAT, AAT rules do not allow you to practice without an AAT practising registration/license. (Edit - Just noticed that you stated that you are not a full member!)
When you apply for a practising certificate to be a "registered" MIP you have to state in the application form what types of work you want to do and what experience you have. This statement of experience does not have to be signed off by anyone, the AAT take it on trust. AAT will authorise you to practice in types of work in which they consider you to have enough experience according to your statement.
To become a "licensed" member in practice you have to have your experience signed off by an appropriate reference and complete two simple online test on MLR and ethics. This can be another accounting professional who has experience of your work or a client. Licensed status must be achieved within two years. I don't know what happens if you don't achieve licensed status within two years.
If there are areas of work in which the AAT don't authorise you to practise, you can still do this work to gain experience as long as you don't charge for it. You can later submit a statement of your experience in this area of work and have it added to your authorised types of work. Again, the AAT take your statement on trust.
Information about fees can be found here: https://www.aat.org.uk/aat-membership/fees-information
The fees vary as to whether you are a registered or licensed MIP and what your turnover is.
Benefits provided are:
Online practice management toolkit
MLR management manual.
AAT branding on your website, stationery etc (licensed members only)
Recognition by a wide range of banks and building societies (if your clients need an accountants reference for loans or mortgages)
Free access to CCH online and business support helpline (tax, accounting regulations, payroll)
15% discount from Abbey Tax Consultancy
Free access to the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals helpline.
Free access to the FA Simms insolvency helpline.
Free access to the ICAEW helpline covering accounting regulations.
There are also AAT branch meetings which offer very relevant CPD and networking opportunities, as well as variety of free online CPD resources and paid seminars.
Hope that helps,
David.
-- Edited by David Ballantyne on Wednesday 9th of September 2015 04:47:12 AM
So I can first become a registered Practitioner, and then I can get my clients to signoff the work I do, in order to become Licensed? Or what do they class as an Appropriate reference, someone qualified?
I am contemplating this, so thanks for your info :)
When I wrote the above post I didn't initially realise that you were not already a full member.
Before going through the above steps you would need to attain full membership of AAT. This would involve completing a form detailing your experience against a prescribed range of work which would have to be signed off by a fully qualified AAT or an accountant qualified to chartered level. Details here: https://www.aat.org.uk/membership/apply-for-aat-full-membership .
If all the above is putting you off, you could make enquiries to IAB/ICB/CPAA/ICPA or possibly IFA.
