CPD Modules

Our CPD Tracker allows you to bank structured CPD time. Go to the CPD Tracker to check your points to date and export the data from your personal records. When you have completed a CPD module make sure you click the CPD Tracker button to add the module to your CPD Tracker

Latest CPD modules

Dividend vs salary – NEW CPD module

This module focuses on the issues of extracting profit from a company through either dividend or salary explaining the implications of transferrable married couple’s allowance, national insurance contributions (NIC) and national minimum wage (NMW)

Low rates of corporation tax along with favourable income tax and NIC treatment of dividends compared to salary, meant that for many businesses it was tax-efficient to incorporate and extract profits through dividends rather than as salary.

The module covers the following topics:

Introduction and background;
NIC and the transferable married couple’s allowance;
Paying in and withdrawing and the effect on employers; and
NMW considerations and other matters.

The course lecturer is Tony Jenkins CTA, a freelance tax lecturer with his own practice and has over 30 years’ experience in training and advising clients in all types of businesses.

This CPD module takes 20 minutes to complete and is followed by a short quiz to ensure thorough learning. Any CPD learning is also automatically added to Your CPD Tracker.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released March 2018

Claiming R&D relief for an SME business – NEW CPD module

This module focuses on how to calculate R&D relief covering the various conditions, qualifying expenditure, the procedure applicable for SMEs where there are surrenderable losses and other aspects

All traders are able to claim relief for qualifying R&D expenditure but only companies can claim for enhanced corporation tax relief. An SME company gets a higher rate of enhancement and can also receive the relief as a payable R&D tax credit. This module focuses on claims by SME companies for the enhanced relief for revenue expenditure on qualifying R&D.

This module covers the following topics:

How to calculate the relief and what the conditions are;
What expenditure qualifies;
The procedure applicable for SMEs where there are surrenderable losses; and
The other aspects

The course lecturer is Tony Jenkins CTA, a freelance tax lecturer with his own practice and has over 30 years’ experience in training and advising clients in all types of businesses.

This CPD module takes 16 minutes to complete and is followed by a short quiz to ensure thorough learning. Any CPD learning is also automatically added to Your CPD Tracker.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released December 2017

Apprenticeship Levy – CPD module

This module focuses on the implications of the Apprenticeship Levy, which came into effect on 5 April 2017, on employers including payments, the effect of paying in and withdrawing and digital accounts

The Apprenticeship Levy was introduced in April this year to give employers more control about how and where money is spent on apprenticeships with the Levy expecting to raise £3bn in the first year.

By completing this module you will be able to:

Explain the levy and its scope;
Understand payment by employers on the wage bill;
Understand paying in and withdrawing and the effect on employers; and
Explain the digital account used by employers.

The courses lecturer is Cath Hall MA, FCA. Cath is a professional trainer and is involved with a variety of professional organisations as an examiner and moderator of professional exams, including the ICAEW. Before moving into training, she worked at the corporate tax division of Arthur Andersen from 1990 to 1996.

This CPD module takes 18 minutes to complete and is followed by a short quiz to ensure thorough learning. Any CPD learning is also automatically added to Your CPD Tracker.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released November 2017

Residence nil rate band and inheritance tax - CPD module

Residence nil rate band and inheritance tax - NEW CPD module

This module focuses on the residence nil rate band and inheritance tax rules, explaining the allowances and application of the tax rules particularly for inheritance tax planning purposes and clarifies the rules on inheritance for direct descendants only.

The module covers the following topics:

whether the residence nil rate band (RNRB) applies taking into account the individual’s particular circumstances;
how much relief is available where the individual has not moved or sold their home since 8 July 2015;
how much relief is available where the home is no longer owned or has been downsized; and
if any claims are necessary and how the inheritance tax (IHT) return should be completed.

The course lecturer is Stephanie Webber ACA CTA, a freelance tax writer specialising primarily in capital taxation and the taxation of trusts. She is the author of CCH’s Entrepreneur’s Relief and CCH’s Taxation of Trusts and Estates. Prior to this she spent eight years as tax consultant to a number of small to medium-sized accountancy firms focusing primarily on owner-managed businesses and high net worth individuals. Previously she worked as a tax lecturer and director of Financial Training Specialist Courses Ltd.

This CPD module takes 15 minutes to complete and is followed by a short quiz to ensure thorough learning. Any CPD learning is also automatically added to Your CPD Tracker.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released September 2017

Tax liability and business entertainment – CPD module

This module focuses the tax regime for business entertainment, clarifying the tax liability and looking at the tax treatment of business entertainment, the relevant principles and the exceptions, with detailed advice on the types of expenses which can be claimed under relevant tax law.

With certain exceptions, expenditure on business entertainment or gifts is not allowable as a deduction against profits, even if it is a genuine expense of the business. This includes expenditure by individuals, partnerships and companies carrying on a profession, vocation, trade or property business, investment companies and employees and directors.

The course lecturer is Tony Jenkins CTA, a freelance tax lecturer with his own practice and has over 30 years’ experience in training and advising clients in all types of businesses.

This CPD module takes 17 minutes to complete and is followed by a short quiz to ensure thorough learning. Any CPD learning is also automatically added to Your CPD Tracker.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released July 2017

Capital gains tax: gift relief – CPD module

This module focuses on identifying when gift relief may be available under the capital gains tax (CGT) regime, while explaining how the relief operates and can be claimed with regards to shares and residence issues

The module covered the following topics:

explain qualifying persons in order to identify the persons who may claim gift relief;
identify qualifying assets in order to understand the disposals upon which the relief is available;
understand how the relief operates using numerical examples; and
understand how to claim the relief as the relief is not automatic and may be withdrawn.

The courses lecturer is Cath Hall MA, FCA, Cath is a professional trainer and is involved with a variety of professional organisations as an examiner and moderator of professional exams, including the ICAEW. Before moving into training, she worked at the corporate tax division of Arthur Andersen from 1990 to 1996.

This CPD module takes 17 minutes to complete and is followed by a short quiz to ensure thorough learning. Any CPD learning is also automatically added to Your CPD Tracker.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released June 2017

Year end tax planning for companies - CPD module

This module focuses on year end tax planning for companies. Topics covered include treatment of income and expenditure, profit extraction, losses and capital allowances, and capital gains and groups.

To help with preparing for year-end tax planning for companies this module covers the following:

identify actions relating to income and expenditure;
consider which methods of profit extraction are most appropriate to client companies;
describe what aspects of capital allowances and losses can be used; and
examine potential actions regarding capital gains and groups.

The course lecturer is Tony Jenkins CTA, a freelance tax lecturer with his own practice and has over 30 years’ experience in training and advising clients in all types of businesses.

This CPD module takes 20 minutes to complete and is followed by a short quiz to ensure thorough learning. Any CPD learning is also automatically added to Your CPD Tracker.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released February 2017

Engagement letters and tax clients - CPD module

This module focuses on tips and advice on how to write effective engagement letters for your tax clients.

Engagement letters form the legal basis of a client relationship and are increasingly important for accountants in this litigious age. In light of tough new penalties and sanctions for accountants and tax advisers providing specialist tax advice, which could be considered as potential avoidance under ever stricter tax rules in the UK, signed engagement letters are critical for all client relationships.

By completing this module you will be able to:

explain the purpose of engagement letters;
describe the essential features of engagement letters in relation to tax engagements; and
understand the various features of engagement letters and their purpose and the regulatory and ethical environment that exists alongside them.

The CPD module takes 15 minutes to complete and has a multiple choice questionnaire once the course is finished.

The CPD course lecturer is Cath Hall CTA, a freelance tax lecturer.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released January 2017

Principal Private Residence Relief (PPRR) tax issues - part 1

This module covers how Principal Private Residence Relief (PPRR) operates, the key issues and the procedure for main residence election.

By completing this module you will be able to:

Explain how PPRR operates;
Describe the basic issues;
Describe the detailed issues;
Explain the procedure with the main residence election.

Lecturer is Tony Jenkins CTA, a freelance tax lecturer with his own practice and has over 30 years’ experience in training and advising clients in all types of businesses.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released August 2016

IFRS 16: are you ready? – NEW CPD module

This month's exclusive module focuses on the review and scope of IFRS 16 Leases, which is effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. Topics covered include key challenges with implementation and requirements for first-time adoption

By completing this module you will be able to:

Review the scope and principles of IFRS 16 Leases;
Identify and account for a lease as lessee under IFRS 16;
Understand the key challenges in implementing IFRS 16 for the first time; and
Understand the requirements for first-time adoption of IFRS 16.

This CPD module takes 20 minutes to complete and is followed by a short quiz to ensure thorough learning. Any CPD learning is also automatically added to Your CPD Tracker.

The course lecturer is Anne Cowley ACA, a senior technical writer of accounting at CCH.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released February 2018

FRS 102 and deferred tax – CPD module

This month's exclusive module focuses on deferred tax under the scope of Section 29 in FRS 102 under new UK GAAP and covers when it should be used, how to recognise tax assets correctly and how to disclose tax issues.

Deferred tax is dealt with in Section 29 Income Tax of FRS 102. Section 29 uses the timing difference plus approach which widens the scope of deffered tax than under previous UK GAAP.

The module covered the following topics:

When deferred tax should be recognised;
The timing difference plus approach;
How to recognise deferred tax assets correctly; and
How to disclose tax issues correctly.

This CPD module takes 15 minutes to complete and is followed by a short quiz to ensure thorough learning. Any CPD learning is also automatically added to Your CPD Tracker.

The CPD course lecturer is Steve Collings FMAAT FCCA, audit and technical partner at Leavitt Walmsley Associates Ltd where he trained and qualified. Collings became a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) in 2001 and qualified as a chartered certified accountant in 2005.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released January 2018

People with Significant Control (PSCs) – CPD Module

This module focuses on People with Significant Control (PSCs) legislation, covering the scope and identification of PSCs, relevant legal entities, indirect interests and maintaining the PSC register

The purpose of the PSC register is to make it clear to businesses and other individuals who owns and controls UK companies, in order to improve corporate transparency.

The PSC regime applies to UK registered and unregistered companies; limited liability partnerships (LLPs); Scottish limited and qualifying partnerships; and European companies.

By completing this module you will be able to:

Be aware of who the regime applies to and how to identify a PSC;
Understand when a parent entity needs to be registered as a relevant legal entities (RLE);
Learn about some of the challenge areas in dealing with indirect interests; and
Understand the requirements for maintaining the register and notifying Companies House of changes.

The CPD module takes 15 minutes to complete and has a multiple choice questionnaire once the course is finished.

The course lecturer is Anne Cowley ACA, a senior technical writer of accounting at CCH.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released October 2017

Accounting for LLPs - CPD module

This module looks into limited liability partnership (LLP) accounting standards and the 2017 SORP, small LLPs applying section 1A and micro LLPs, specific accounting requirements for LLPs and auditor resignation

LLPs are able to apply the EU-adopted IFRS, FRS 101 (if the LLP meets the definition of a qualifying entity), FRS 102 (together with FRS 103 and FRS 14), or FRS 105.

By completing this module you will be able to:

Understand the accounting standards that an LLP can apply;
Be aware of the requirements for small and micro LLPs;
Learn about some of the challenge areas in accounting for LLPs; and
Note that auditor resignation requirement differ for companies and LLPs.

The CPD module takes 15 minutes to complete and has a multiple choice questionnaire once the course is finished.

The course lecturer is Anne Cowley ACA, a senior technical writer of accounting at Wolters Kluwer.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released August 2017

Charities SORP: financial reporting – part 1 – CPD module

This month’s exclusive module focuses on charity reporting under the charities SORP, the only SORP available to charities from 1 January 2016, outlining how to plan for the transition from using FRRSE to FRS 102 reporting

By completing this module you will be able to:

understand the different types of charity and the requirements that apply;
become familiar with the only SORP available to charities from 1 January 2016.;
understand the requirements for the trustees’ report; and
plan carefully for transition from the FRSSE SORP to the FRS 102 SORP.

This CPD module takes 15 minutes to complete and is followed by a short quiz to ensure thorough learning. Any CPD learning is also automatically added to Your CPD Tracker.

The lecturer is Ralph Tiffin, BSc FCA AMIMechE, a principal at McLachlan+Tiffin, chartered accountants and auditors. He is also a consultant to companies in the UK and overseas on subjects ranging from project appraisal, applying International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), budgetary control systems through to fraud prevention.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released May 2017

FRS 102: employee benefits - CPD module

This month's exclusive module focuses on employee benefits under the scope of Section 28 in FRS 102 under new UK GAAP. There are four types of employee benefits under Section 28, these include: short-term employee benefits, post-employment benefits; other long-term benefits; and termination benefits.

Short-term benefits include wages and salaries; and holiday and sick pay. Post-employment are benefits such as pensions and medical care. Long-term benefits include absences and disabilities and termination benefits are benefits provided to employess for ending their employment or to encourage voluntary redundancy.

Under old UK GAAP there was no specific standard governing employee benefits as FRS 17 only dealt with retirement benefits.

By completing this module you will be able to:

identify employee benefits to understand the benefits under the scope of Section 28 in FRS 102;
understand the differences between previous UK GAAP and the wider scope of FRS 102;
apply the accounting to ensure employee benefits are fairly stated in the accounts; and
calculate complex benefits such as termination benefits for correct inclusion in the accounts.

This CPD module takes 15 minutes to complete and is followed by a short quiz to ensure thorough learning. Any CPD learning is also automatically added to Your CPD Tracker.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released April 2017

FRS 102: capital or repairs - accounting rules - CPD module

This month's exclusive module focuses on FRS 102 and the treatment of capital versus repairs in annual financial statements, outlining the differences and enabling reporters to understand how to distinguish between the two items under new UK GAAP.

Effectively FRS 102 introduces further levels of subjectivity to the old UK GAAP rules and there is less in the way of guidance where 'subsequent expenditure' is concerned. Going forward, Section 17, Property, Plant and Equipment is the key reference in FRS 102.

By completing this module you will be able to:

understand the differences between FRS 102 and previous UK GAAP;
identify the recognition criteria to recognise expenditure on the balance sheet;
understand the circumstances in which expenditure must be recognised in profit and loss; and
handle issues relating to major inspections and overhauls.

This CPD module takes 20 minutes to complete and is followed by a short quiz to ensure thorough learning. Any CPD learning is also automatically added to Your CPD Tracker.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released December 2016

FRS 102: deferred tax - CPD module

This module covers deferred tax under new UK GAAP (including FRS 102 and FRS 105).

By completing this module you will be able to:

Explain the impact of early-adopting the new Companies Act 2006
Describe the timing difference plus approach
Explain why micro-entities are unable to account for deferred tax
Describe the disclosures that need to be made in the financial statements

Lecturer is Steve Collings, FMAAT FCCA, audit and technical partner at Leavitt Walmsley Associates Ltd where he trained and qualified. Collings became a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) in 2001 and qualified as a chartered certified accountant in 2005. In 2010, he became a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released November 2016

Accounting for academies - CPD module

This module covers accounting principles for academy schools under the new Academies Accounts Direction (AAD) 2015/16.

By completing this module you will be able to:

Understand the basic requirements of the Academies Accounts Direction (AAD) 2015/16;
Describe the changes reflected in AAD 2015/16;
Prepare the auditor’s management letter; and
Understand the disclosure requirements in the first set of FRS 102 financial statements.

The course lecturer is Steve Collings, FMAAT FCCA, audit and technical partner at Leavitt Walmsley Associates Ltd where he trained and qualified. Collings became a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) in 2001 and qualified as a chartered certified accountant in 2005. In 2010, he became a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released September 2016

People with significant control (PSC) register - CPD module

This module considers the beneficial ownership rules for companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) under the government's new register of people with significant control (PSC) requirements which came into force on 6 April 2016.

By completing this module you will be able to explain:

Describe the government requirements;
Determine when, how and whether you need to act; and
Build and file the appropriate records.

The CPD lecturer is Mark Wearden, MSc FCCA FCIS, a senior lecturer in corporate finance and corporate governance at Lincoln Business School, University of Lincoln. Alongside this, he continues with a number of consultancy projects through MBS Challenging Perception, a private strategy consultancy, which he has run for the past 20 years, following 12 years in international banking as an analyst, and eight years in industry as a finance director.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released July 2016

Reporting for charities - NEW CPD module

This module focuses on the auditing and reporting of charity accounts covering the legal background in planning engagements, the accounting and auditing requirements and whistleblowing requirement to make appropriate reports

Completing this module will enable you to:

Understand the legal background relating to charities to assist in planning engagements;
Understand the accounting and auditing requirements in order to plan to provide the appropriate type of report on a charity engagement; and
Understand the whistleblowing requirements in order to make appropriate reports.

The course lecturer is Helen MacNeill ACA, who is responsible for Private Company Audit System (PCAS) and other audit programmes at Croner-i.

This CPD module takes 15 minutes to complete and is followed by a short quiz to ensure thorough learning. Any CPD learning is also automatically added to Your CPD Tracker.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released April 2018

Audit exemptions under CA 2016 - CPD module

This module focuses on audit exemptions under the Company Act 2006. Topics covered include size-based exemptions, dormant company exemptions, subsidiary exemptions and the practical implications.

By completing this module you will be able to:

Understand the various exemptions available for small, dormant and subsidiary companies and assess whether or not to take them.
Consider the pros and cons of audit and the practical issues arising.

The course lecturer is Anne Cowley ACA, a senior technical writer of accounting at Wolters Kluwer.

This CPD module takes 15 minutes to complete and is followed by a short quiz to ensure thorough learning. Any CPD learning is also automatically added to Your CPD Tracker.

If you're already a subscriber, you can log in to access this CPD module.

To subscribe to eCPD go to the Subscriptions page

Play Course | Released March 2017