AIA Practising Certificate
Guidance, Support and Benefits for Members in Practice
We’re here to help small and medium-sized practices grow and thrive. As a member in practice, you’ll have everything you need to run a successful, compliant business from regulatory support to practical tools.
If you plan to work in public practice, the AIA practising certificate gives you the authority to do so along with a range of exclusive benefits:
- Professional recognition
- Access to expert guidance
- Tailored support services
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Extensive Recognition to Support Your Firm
Recognised Qualifying Body (RQB)
AIA is a Recognised Qualifying Body for statutory auditors in the UK, regulated by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). In the Republic of Ireland, AIA is a Prescribed Body under the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2014.
We are also a supervisory body under the UK Money Laundering Regulations.
UK Visas and Immigration
AIA is recognised by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Our members are authorised to provide accountants’ evidence for:
- Tier 1 (General) immigration applications
- Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) applications under the Points-Based System
For full guidance, please refer to the UKVI website.
Independent examination of charities
Under the Charities Act 2011, AIA is listed as a recognised body whose members can act as independent examiners for charities with an annual income of up to £1,000,000.
Licensed access to barristers
AIA members in practice in the UK are licensed to instruct barristers directly. This means you can:
- Instruct any member of the Bar for legal advice
- In some cases, request representation — either for yourself or on behalf of a client
A copy of the licence is available in the AIA Secure Document Library under the Members in Practice section.
AIA members are recognised by a wide range of UK banks and building societies as eligible to sign client accounts and supporting documents for finance, mortgage and other applications.
This recognition reflects the professional standing of AIA members and the trust placed in their expertise.
Find Out More
AIA is an approved supervisory body under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (amended 2019) and is listed in Schedule 1 of the regulations. In the Republic of Ireland, AIA is a designated body under the:
- Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Act 2018
- SI No. 578/2019 – European Union (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Regulations 2019
These regulations apply to all practising accountants and firms offering accountancy services.
AIA supports members by promoting your regulated status — giving potential clients confidence in your professionalism and credibility.
Find an Accountant
All Members in Practice are listed on our Find an Accountant page, making it easy for clients to discover and connect with you.
Members who have achieved Quality Assured status are highlighted, offering additional reassurance of your commitment to high standards.
AIA Tax Cards
Issued annually, AIA tax cards give you quick access to the latest tax rates and allowances — a simple, reliable reference for day-to-day use.
Tax Insights
Tax Insights is your member-only online hub for:
- The latest tax news and updates
- Policy and legislative changes
- Practical guidance from industry experts
It’s designed to help you stay compliant, informed and ready to support your clients.
Expert commentary
AIA provides regular technical updates and expert analysis on key national and international economic issues — giving you a broader view of the trends shaping the finance profession.
AIA in partnership with Tolley Tax
Comprehensive tax resources at your fingertips
As part of your AIA practising certificate, you’ll receive access to the Tolley Tax Library — the UK’s most extensive source of tax and accountancy information.
This bespoke package includes:
- Full access to the interactive Tax Library
- Monthly Tolley Online Seminars
- Daily updates to reflect the latest legislation and guidance
- Alerts to help you spot new opportunities for your clients
Key resources include:
- Whillans Tax Tables
- Tolley’s Tax Guide
- Tax Computations
- Tolley’s Tax Planning for OMBs
- Tolley Income Tax
- Tolley’s Estate Planning
- Tolley’s Yellow Tax Handbook
Guidance and Support for Your Practice
AIA’s quality assurance programme, disciplinary process and CPD requirements give your clients confidence that they’re working with a trusted, regulated professional.
Support to help you grow
Our quality assurance process isn’t just about compliance — it’s an opportunity to:
- Receive personalised advice from AIA quality assurance advisors
- Strengthen your firm through best practice guidance
- Explore new ways to develop and improve your services
We’re here to help you meet high standards and build a successful, sustainable practice.
Stay informed and supported
As an AIA practising certificate holder, you’ll receive the latest practice news, regulatory updates and expert guidance — delivered straight to your inbox.
We also offer extensive technical support to help you stay compliant and confident, including:
- Templates and documentation
- Practical guidance
- Personalised advice
Online resources for members
AIA members have access to a wide range of online hubs and tools designed to support your work and professional development:
- Tax Insights – expert updates on tax legislation and policy
- Ethics Insights – guidance on ethical standards and best practice
- Accounting & Auditing Insights – technical updates and commentary
- Charities Hub – resources for working with charitable organisations
- Anti-Money Laundering – compliance tools and guidance
- Membership Resources – templates, checklists and practical tools
All AIA Members in Practice have access to a comprehensive library of up-to-date documents, templates and checklists — everything you need to run your practice efficiently and in line with current guidance.
Resources include:
- Engagement and disengagement letters
- Continuity agreements
- Practice management templates
- Compliance checklists
These tools are designed to save you time, support best practice and help you deliver a professional, consistent service to your clients.
AIA is committed to helping you get more from your membership. Through strategic partnerships, we offer a range of benefits designed to save you time and money — and support the growth of your practice, business and client relationships.
What’s included?
As an AIA member, you can access:
- Preferential rates on essential business services
- Free software to streamline your operations
- Discounted advice to support business growth
- Personal health insurance options
Eligibility
To apply for an AIA practising certificate, you must meet the following criteria:
General requirements
- You must be an Associate (AAIA) or Fellow (FAIA) member of AIA
- You must have completed two years of post-qualification work experience at a sufficiently senior level with a statutory auditor or an accountant in public practice
Specialist practice areas
If you’ve trained in a specialist area such as forensic accounting, you must have:
- Five years’ experience in the relevant specialist field
- At least two years of that experience post-qualification
Continuous membership
If you’ve held AIA membership continuously for two years and are currently in public practice, you are eligible to apply for a practising certificate.
