First AAT training provider approved to deliver GCC VAT qualifications in the UAE

Over the past few years countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have begun introducing new VAT regulations. To help businesses in the region get to grips with them AAT has designed the AAT Advanced Award in GCC Value Added Tax qualification. The first training provider in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Phoenix Financial Training, has just been approved to start delivering the UAE Variant of the qualification.

Based in Dubai, Phoenix Financial Training is one of the biggest training providers in the UAE. They have been given the exclusive rights to deliver the UAE Variant of AAT’s GCC VAT qualification, meaning it will not be available from any other training providers in the state. Phoenix will enable students to study the qualification flexibly on a part time basis and on evenings and weekends, which will allow those who are already in work to fit studying into their existing routine.

Charlotte Eaton, International Account Manager for the MENA region at AAT said:

We’re pleased to award Phoenix Financial Training the exclusive rights to deliver the qualification in UAE. They’re highly respected and we know they’ll be able to ensure that students learn all the skills they need to make them compliant with the new VAT regulations.

The AAT Advanced Award in GCC Value Added Tax qualification helps businesses learn how to apply VAT procedures, complete VAT returns and report VAT-related information. It ensures that businesses will be in full compliance with the GCC’s new VAT laws. It’s also available in Bahrain and will become available in other GCC states as the new regulations are introduced in the different countries.

David Thomasson, Managing Director, Phoenix Financial Training said: 

The introduction of VAT in the UAE is a momentous change for a country with very minimal previous experience of taxes. We are proud to have worked with AAT to develop a unique qualification which, not only addresses the underpinning knowledge embedded in the region-wide GCC framework, but also critically addresses the practical rules and regulations for its application in the UAE.

Although VAT is now in its second year of operation in the country there is still a huge skills gap across practitioners and businesses alike – with heavy fines for non-compliance it is vital that this deficit is addressed. We feel that the new qualification will effectively build VAT capability across the UAE financial spectrum and in turn enhance awareness of the value of AAT qualifications for both businesses and individuals in the region.