AAT launches new CPD policy

AAT has today announced a new continuing professional development (CPD) policy, which takes immediate effect.

CPD is mandatory for all AAT members, it being the means by which members develop themselves professionally and personally, thereby underpinning trust in AAT qualifications. Members can access a wide range of resources and events to help with their CPD activities, including events and AAT branch meetings, online training and technical updates, podcasts and webinars. CPD can also incorporate workplace learning and receiving coaching or mentoring from a colleague.

The previous CPD policy has been updated to make it simpler and more streamlined, while remaining rigorous. Some specific changes include the following.

• All members required to perform CPD can now potentially be selected for CPD monitoring, whereby a percentage of members are asked each year to provide evidence of their CPD activity.
• Previous exemptions from monitoring no longer apply, namely: for members working for AAT Employer Scheme members (previously known as AAT Accredited Employers), and for members also holding full membership of other IFAC-member organisations.
• The new policy specifies areas of mandatory CPD which all licensed members must include in their activities (including anti-money laundering and practice management), whilst making it easier for licensed members to report their CPD activities if called upon to do so.

AAT Chief Customer Services Officer Tracy Allison said: "Every AAT member is responsible for undertaking CPD activities after considering their own personal training and knowledge needs, in order for them to develop skills in line with legislative, technological and working practice changes. In addition, CPD helps our members with their personal development – as knowledge and credibility grow, so does confidence.

"Our new CPD policy has been created by a Policy Working Group within AAT, whose work has been informed by extensive internal and external research and benchmarking. Whatever direction our members wish their career to go in, CPD ensures they continue to upskill and put into practice what they have learnt."

AAT’s new CPD policy is available to read and download in PDF.