FAQs - AAT employer accreditation
What are the benefits in becoming accredited?
What does the accreditation process involve?
Can I still apply if we do not have a formal training policy in place?
I only have one AAT member. Is it still worth becoming accredited?
I'm a member in practice. Can I become an accredited employer?
How long does accreditation last?
Does the accreditation apply to all my AAT members?
Does the accreditation apply to just my 'site' or the whole organisation?
How long will the process take?
Does it cost anything to apply for accreditation?
Will you have to visit me to approve my application?
I'm an AAT Corporate Training Partner, does this mean I'm now an AAT Accredited Employer?
I've recently taken over the coordination of the AAT members in our organisation. Can you help me to identify all our AAT members?
Once accredited, you state that I might have a monitoring visit from AAT. What will this involve?
What kind of records does AAT expect me to keep?
What are the benefits in becoming accredited?
AAT employer accreditation shows that you are serious about the professional development of your staff.
Once accredited your AAT members will be able to meet their mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) requirements by following your training and development processes.
This means they will not have to keep separate CPD records to be submitted to AAT. Also, you will not be required to make a return to AAT on behalf of your AAT members.
If any of your members are ever asked to present their CPD records by AAT they just have to state they work for an accredited employer.
You will also gain the support of the AAT's dedicated Business Development team to help you get the most out of your relationship with AAT.
What does the accreditation process involve?
In applying to become an AAT Accredited Employer you will need to show how you support your AAT members in their studies and continuing professional development.
This will require you to show that you have processes in place to identify each individual's training needs and the means by which learning can be undertaken to meet those needs.
If you have already been successfully accredited by Investors in People or an IFAC member body then you can apply for accreditation on this basis.
Otherwise, you will have to submit evidence against a range of criteria. When applying by either route we will still ask for a copy of your organisation's training and development policy to see how it applies to your AAT members.
Once you have made your application a member of the Business Development Team will contact you to discuss your application.
At this point we will work with you to identify all your AAT members so we can check that they work for you if they are ever asked to submit their CPD records.
Can I still apply if we do not have a formal training policy in place?
Yes, we realise that some organisations may not have formal policies in place but are still providing excellent professional development opportunities for their staff.
When applying for accreditation just submit whatever evidence you have available and we will contact you once this has been assessed.
I only have one AAT member. Is it still worth becoming accredited?
Yes, AAT employer accreditation shows that you are a quality employer.
It can help with any future recruitment you may undertake, and it will also help your staff member meet their mandatory CPD requirements.
That will mean they can concentrate on making your business a success.
I'm a member in practice. Can I become an accredited employer?
Yes you can, but there are a couple of rules regarding employer accreditation that you should consider before making an application. These are;
1 - If a member in practice (MIP) works for an accredited employer in addition to their self-employed work then they will still be required to maintain and submit their own CPD records with respect to their MiP status.
However, they can use CPD undertaken with their employer, where it is applicable, towards meeting their MiP CPD requirements.
2 - If a MIP is the owner of an organisation that employs AAT members, then they can apply for accredited employer status on behalf of their employees but the MIP will be required to maintain their own individual CPD records.
This would apply to any MIPs working within that organisation.
If, however, a member in practice holds a current practising license from an IFAC member body then they can submit the same CPD records to AAT that they have to submit to their licensing body.
How long does accreditation last?
Accreditation will last for 3 years. If you hold accreditations with another body then your accreditation will be matched to that other accreditation, unless the renewal date is more than three years, in which case the renewal date will be set for three years time.
Does the accreditation apply to all my AAT members?
Yes, once accredited all AAT members in the organisation, office or department that has been accredited will be covered.
Does the accreditation apply to just my 'site' or the whole organisation?
You will need to decide if you are applying on behalf of your office, department or whole organisation.
If your training and development policies apply to everyone then you should make an application for the whole organisation.
However, if different departments or offices have separate training and development policies then we will only be able to accredit the individual department or office applying to become an AAT accredited employer.
How long will the process take?
We aim to process each application within 3 weeks of it being received.
Does it cost anything to apply for accreditation?
No, AAT employer accreditation is entirely free; you will not be required to pay anything.
Will you have to visit me to approve my application?
We expect that most applications for accreditation will not require a visit from an AAT member of staff. Applications will mostly be dealt with through telephone conversations.
I'm an AAT Corporate Training Partner, does this mean I'm now an AAT accredited employer?
The AAT Corporate Training Partner (CTP) scheme has now been replaced with the new AAT accredited employer scheme.
This will mean all CTPs will have to reapply for AAT accreditation.
I've recently taken over the coordination of the AAT members in our organisation. Can you help me to identify all our AAT members?
Yes, we can work with you to identify all your AAT members, both current and historically.
Once accredited, you state that I might have a monitoring visit from AAT. What will this involve?
Monitoring visits are not intended to be a full, rigorous audit of your training and development processes.
We will be looking to see that the evidence you submitted on applying to become an AAT accredited employer is still valid and that your AAT members are meeting their learning and development needs.
It will also provide you with an opportunity to discuss any thoughts you have about being accredited and how AAT can help you.
What kind of records does AAT expect me to keep?
In many cases, the documentation you already use will be sufficient. However, it would be expected that copies of appraisals and training development forms would be centrally collated as part of your organisation's strategic management of training and development.