Apply to be an AAT licensed member
Becoming an AAT Licensed Accountant or Bookkeeper is an exciting opportunity to run your own practice, and could help you enjoy greater job satisfaction, job security and earning potential.
Before you apply, make sure you've thought about whether self-employment is right for you and that you understand our licence eligibility and exemptions. You must also check you understand the services you're able to apply for under each licence.
Prepare your supporting information
In order to complete your application, you’ll need to prepare some details in advance.
- If AAT is going to supervise you for anti-money laundering (AML), you'll need to apply for a Basic Disclosure Certificate (Basic DBS) and submit it with your licensed membership application. Due to regulatory requirements, your Basic DBS certificate must be dated within the last three months and we are unable to accept Standard or Enhanced DBS certificates. Apply through:
- the Disclosure and Barring Service (in England and Wales)
- Disclosure Scotland (in Scotland)
- AccessNI (in Northern Ireland).
- If your business is already AML supervised, you'll need to provide evidence of this.
- Arrange Professional Indemnity Insurance.
- Arrange continuity of practice cover if you have seven or more clients.
- Register with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
- Prepare for our licensed application standards tests.
- Make sure you know the fee you'll need to pay. It's under "Fees" further down this page. We won't be able to progress your application until the fee is paid.
Start your application
The AAT licensed member application form contains guidance on how to complete it.
Watch our application webinar
Get yourself ready to apply
Our AAT application experts take you through everything you need to do before you apply, the application itself and top tips to save you time.
Watch our helpful suite of application support videos and make sure you have everything you need to complete your application.
- Anti-money laundering: Find out what your anti-money laundering obligations will be as a licensed member and who could supervise you for AML.
- The definition of self-employed: This video explains AAT's definition of self-employed to help you decide whether you need a licence or not.
- Professional indemnity insurance (PII): All licensed members must have PII. Watch this helpful video to understand what type of cover you need and where you can obtain cover from if you're not sure.
- Continuity of practice cover: This video explains why continuity of practice is needed and how to pick the right arrangement to suit your practice.
| AAT Licensed Bookkeeper | AAT Licensed Accountant | |
|---|---|---|
| Admission fee (one-off payment) | £57 | £57 |
| Reinstatement fee (one-off payment) | £57 | £57 |
| Annual licence fee* | £179 | £341 |
| Reduced annual licence fee (Gross Fee Income under £12,570) | n/a | £236 |
* Annual licence fee: pro rata payment
- If you're an existing AAT full, bookkeeping, fellow or affiliate member you'll pay a pro rata licence fee to your next renewal. For example, if your existing membership renewal is due six months after your licence approval, you'll pay a pro rata licence fee for six months, meaning 50% of the full licence fee above.
- If you're not an existing AAT member you'll need to pay the full annual licence fee.
Respond quickly to our queries
When we've received your application form and fees, we'll review the information you've supplied and contact you within 10 working days. We may need some extra information from you based on the information you've provided on your form.
We can't progress your application until we've received your fees.
We'll do our best to contact you about any queries as quickly as possible and are usually able to approve applications within two weeks. If you don't receive confirmation of receipt of your application within this time, or you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Once we're satisfied you've met all the criteria, we'll approve your licence and you’ll receive confirmation by email. We’ll then send your certificate and licensed member welcome guide. Your licence will be effective immediately and valid until your next professional membership renewal is due, when you’ll need to renew your licence along with it. The minimum amount of time you'll be licensed before your next renewal is due is three months.
Register with HMRC as soon as you're approved
Understanding your employment status and registering appropriately with HMRC as soon as your business is active is crucial as it will affect how you pay tax and whether you have any employment rights.
