Guide to... FAQs about expenses to claim when running a business from home

Find out what you can and cannot claim for – from utilities to maintenance costs

Guide to... tax inspections and how to avoid them

when it comes to mistakes, ignorance is no defence, so firms have to take every care when completing their returns and ensure that they are on time – in other words, don’t give HMRC any cause for concern.

Guide to... what to do when you lose your tax records

Unforeseen circumstances – such as a fire or flood in your premises – could mean you lose your tax and accounting records. In this guide, we explore what to do if you lose financial records and what help you can expect from HMRC.

Value Added Tax – Middle East Lessons Learnt

The Middle Eastern countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have relied upon petrodollars to fund their economies for many years. Investment in mega infrastructure projects to transform their countries into economic hubs, diversifying their economies to centres of trade, commerce, hospitality and tourism have all financed heavily from oil revenues.

Brexit impact on recognition of professional qualifications

Find out more about how you may be affected

ACCA’s Public Sector Roundtables: Continuing Two Important Conversations with the Experts

As part of the 10th-annual Virtual Public Sector Conference (VPSC), ACCA’s Public Sector Team convened two roundtables to continue conversations from our VPSC with a number of expert participants.

Policy submission: concern over tax compliance and filing deadlines

In December 2020 ACCA wrote to HMRC about members' concerns over the approaching self-assessment filing deadline.

IASB's Business Combinations — Disclosures, Goodwill and Impairment consultation

ACCA welcomes the opportunity to provide views in response to the IASB’s discussion paper on business combinations. This has been done with the assistance of members of ACCA’s Global Forum for Corporate Reporting.

IFRS Foundation - Consultation on Sustainability Reporting

ACCA welcomes the opportunity to provide views in response to the IFRS Foundation’s consultation paper on sustainability reporting. This has been done with the assistance of members of ACCA’s Global Forum for Corporate Reporting.

ACCA guide to... Post-Brexit UK border controls

Read our overview of the phased approach to the new Border Operating Model

ACCA's feedback to Isle of Man FSA 2021/22 proposed fees consultation

ACCA welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed fees for 2021-2022. We represent ACCA members and firms of accountants registered with the Authority to provide financial services in the Isle of Man (IOM). Our response to this consultation is informed by members’ input obtained from the ACCA Members’ Network in the IOM.

Technical factsheet: visiting the UK or EU after the transition period

This technical factsheet offers a guide to the major changes including around passports, visas, right to work, health insurance and driving

Technical factsheet: freedom of movement to live and work in the EU or UK after the transition period

On 31 December 2020, the transition period between the UK and EU formally closes and freedom of movement to live and work between the EU, EAA, Swiss and UK states will change.

Technical factsheet: freedom of movement to study in the UK or EU after the transition period

After 31 December 2020, the rules for UK students at EU institutions and vice versa change

Technical factsheet: ATOL reporting to the Civil Aviation Authority

ATOL reporting accountants must fulfil the CAA's requirements

'Accounting for human capital' webinar

As the European Commission is preparing its renewed sustainable finance strategy, including the revision of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive, ACCA and the Adecco Group are delighted to invite you to a Chatham House rule interactive webinar to brainstorm on 'Accounting for human capital'.

ACCA joins call to action: Supporting SMEs' access to COVID-19 support funding via professional advice

ACCA joins call to action: Supporting SMEs' access to COVID-19 support funding via professional advice

Ten common tax elections and claims

We look at some of the more common elections and claims that are useful tax planning or compliance tools

Technical factsheet: business recovery options

This factsheet explores the recovery work you can undertake with your clients, and provides guidance on when you would need to consider other options in light of the new Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020.

Certainty in tax

First published in 2014, this report examines certainty which, along with simplicity and stability, is one of the cornerstones of a good tax system: but why is it important? How can policymakers encourage certainty? Are there occasions when an uncertain outcome might be unavoidable, or even justified?

Anti-money laundering guidance

The CCAB releases updated guidance for the accountancy sector

Consultation submissions

ACCA responds to a range of consultations, as well as approaching government and regulatory bodies, on behalf of members

Policy activity update

ACCA’s Policy team is working to develop recommendations and lobby for government policy to support members and the businesses they advise.

EFRAG's Mandate on Non-Financial Reporting Standard Setting

ACCA is pleased to contribute our views to assist Mr Gauzès with the mandate to consider the changes in its governance and finance that might be needed if EFRAG took on the role of setting non-financial reporting (NFR) standards for Europe. We have done so using the questions raised in the Annexe to Mr Gauzès letter.

Technical factsheet: VAT issues with online trading

Identifying the customer and the delivery address is crucial to determine the correct treatment

Off-payroll working rules

Read ACCA's response to HMRC's consultation, submitted in July 2019

Corporate transparency and register reform

ACCA made a submission to a consultation by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Reform to Prompt Payment Code

ACCA submitted a response to the Consultation on reform to the Prompt Payment Code to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 16 October 2020

HMRC Charter

The HMRC Charter sets out the standard of behaviour and values that HMRC aspires to when interacting with customers. ACCA responded to the consultation, which closed on 15 August 2020

Comprehensive Spending Review 2020

Following the government’s announcement that the multi-year spending review would be postponed in favour of a one-year review period, ACCA will be resubmitting evidence to the Treasury

Raising standards in the tax advice market

ACCA responded to HMRC's call for evidence in August 2020

Ethics in a Covid-19 world

This white paper – developed as part of our global focus on rethinking business for a sustainable recovery – explores what ethics now means in a Covid-19 world, looking at the key areas of challenges that organisations are experiencing.

Technical factsheet: accounting for Covid-19 grants and reliefs

This technical factsheet, which was updated in October 2020, aims to address the accounting aspects of some of the grants and reliefs made available by the government due to Covid-19

Why does sustainable business matter?

IN one of Jason Piper's Global Ethics Day 2020 articles, he examines why sustainable businesses will inevitably be at the core of recovery from the economic impact of Covid-19.

Tenets of business law: A framework for the future

In one of his Global Ethics Day 2020 articles, Jason Piper examines why business law needs to encourage ethical behaviour to help build better Covid-19 recovery.

Webinar - Small in size, big in impact: Can NFI work for SMEs?

SMEs are increasingly required to provide NFI reports, which is a heavy administrative burden, even though these are not (yet) demanded by legislation. These NFI reporting requests come from their supply chains, banks or as part of public procurement. The webinar will discuss the challenges and opportunities for SMEs and present solutions to help SMEs cope.

Technical factsheet: Fair value accounting and distributable reserves

This factsheet explores which items in a company’s balance sheet must be or may be measured at fair value and considers how changes in fair value are recognised

ACCA's response to EU Green Deal – Revision of the Energy Taxation Directive

ACCA welcomes the opportunity to provide our views to the proposed revision of the Energy Taxation Directive (ETD). We fully support the stated aims of this revision: by sending price signals, taxes are, indeed, an important lever in changing business and consumer behaviour. We particularly welcome the Commission’s intention to shift the tax burden from labour taxation to environmental taxation. ACCA believes that this holistic and system-wide policy response is key to addressing the scale of the environmental and social challenges currently facing not only EU member states, but countries around the world.

Consultation on Economic crime levy: Funding new government action to tackle money laundering

ACCA is a Professional Body Supervisor (PBS) for anti-money laundering (AML) in the UK. We welcome the opportunity to provide views on the design principles of the economic crime levy and how it could operate in practice in order to ensure that it is proportionate and effective.

EU GREEN WEEK 2020 Virtual Conference: Incorporating Nature In The Heart Of Business Decision-Making And Disclosure

ACCA, Capitals Coalition and Deloitte are delighted to invite you to their joint session on Day 3 called “Incorporating Nature In The Heart Of Business Decision-Making And Disclosure”, on 22 October, from 12.00 till 13.00h CET.

Improving financial literacy amongst Nigerian MSMEs

Nigeria has an opportunity to be the most dynamic economy in Africa. But, currently, this opportunity is significantly restricted by limited financial literacy. This report details convincing evidence of the importance of financial literacy for MSMEs (micro, small and medium-sized enterprises). Read 'Improving financial literacy amongst Nigerian MSMEs'.

Is your home office secure?

Remote working is bringing new security challenges

Linking SDGs and green inclusive recovery post COVID-19

As part of the EU Sustainable Development Week, Eva Lindström, Member of the European Court of Auditors, and ACCA are thus delighted to invite you to a lively discussion via Microsoft Teams on 7 October.

Technical factsheet: landlord reliefs and taxes

Over the past 10 years the government has attacked the buy-to-let market with a raft of new provisions designed, in part, to make this activity less attractive. This factsheet explores the reliefs and taxes affecting landlords.

Online Event - European Skills Agenda & Meaningful work for the digital professional

As part of the European Vocational Skills Week 2020, ACCA and EY are delighted to invite you to a lively discussion on European Skills Agenda & Meaningful work for the digital professional- what are the skills needed for successful green and digital transitions?

Technical factsheet: inheritance tax planning

Unlike income tax, inheritance tax is something that clients will prefer not to think about until a fairly momentous stage in their life

Stability in tax

First published in 2015, this report examines stability which, along with simplicity and certainty, is one of the cornerstones of a good tax system: but why is it important? In the face of changing economic and social demands, and not least the impact of the COVID19 pandemic, how best can change be managed?

Simplicity in tax

irst published in 2013, this report examines simplicity which, along with certainty and stability, is one of the cornerstones of a good tax system: but why is it important? How can policymakers pursue simplicity? Are there occasions when other factors might justify complexity?

Fostering Economic Recovery through Green Finance Education

On 14 October 2020 at 11.00 CET, the Green Finance Platform and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) will host a webinar, “Fostering Economic Recovery through Green Finance Education” to discuss many of these issues.

Technical factsheet: corporation tax trading losses – group relief

Part 5 of Corporation Tax Act 2010 allows a company to surrender losses and other amounts

MoJ's non-contentious probate - Mandating online professional applications

ACCA’s response to the Ministry of Justice consultation on Non-Contentious Probate - Mandating online professional applications

Digitisation and the global pandemic

This report examines the impact of COVID-19 in areas that relate to the digitisation agenda of organisations.

Call for evidence: raising standards in the tax advice market

ACCA's response to HMRC call for evidence on suggestions about how to raise and maintain high standards of competence and behaviour in the tax advice market in order to protect consumers and improve compliance.

GECS monthly report

The monthly GECS is intended to give a snapshot of developments in between the main quarterly GECS. In normal circumstances the economic outlook does not change dramatically from one month to the next..

ACCA's response to HMRC Charter consultation

ACCA's response to HMRC Charter consultation. The Charter sets the standard for interactions between HMRC and its customers. We’ve made a number of points including improving customer trust, frameworks for resolving disputes and expertise and training of HMRC staff.

Don’t run off without run-off insurance

Professional indemnity cover for the period after a practitioner ceases to practise is becoming harder to find

Professional indemnity insurance: market update

In a volatile landscape, early renewal has never been more important

FCA's CP20/7: Quarterly Consultation Paper No 28

ACCA's response to FCA consultation on the OPBAS Sourcebook, Bounce Back Loan Scheme and a rule clarification to confirm the ability of the FSCS to declare in default firms and successors subject to the proposed new moratorium under the Insolvency Act 1986.

Returners resources

Access a range of resources for an accountant to reskill prior to returning to work after a career or family break

Technology in small practice

Access a range of technology suppliers providing practice automation software and applications suitable for an Irish Small or Medium Sized Practices

Organisational culture in a remote world

A shared set of beliefs and behaviours has never been more important – Clive Webb sets out how to best manage culture remotely

Technical factsheet: suspicious activity reports (SARs)

A suspicious activity report (SAR) is a way of notifying law enforcement about a client or behaviour that appears to be suspicious and potentially related to money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities.

How to get remote onboarding right

With new starters beginning a job while still working remotely, ACCA’s Clive Webb offers advice on how to onboard successfully during the pandemic

ACCA's anti-money laundering review process

Our members play a vital role in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing

Technical factsheet: ACCA anti-money laundering (AML) monitoring review process

The ACCA monitoring review arrangements are designed to protect the public interest by ensuring ACCA-supervised firms are putting the right systems and controls in place to comply with money laundering regulations.

Technical factsheet: client due diligence

Client due diligence (CDD) is an important measure available to accountants to prevent money laundering and avoid their practices being used by criminals to launder the proceeds of crime.

Technical factsheet: identifying client risk

Client risk is the money laundering and terrorist financing and other financial crime risk potentially posed by a client – to which your firm may be exposed to.

ACCA client risk-assessment tool and know-your-client form

This Excel document provides a basic know-your-customer form and client risk-assessment template that can be used as a starting point.

Secrets of good remote management

Managing staff remotely needs trust, clear expectations and effective learning and development

Technical factsheet: treatment of benefits in kind – P11D guidance

There are special rules relating to certain kinds of benefit. However, in the absence of specific rules, the methods ‘cost to the employer’ and ‘money’s worth’ can be used to calculate the taxable value of benefit in kind.