SUPPORTING OUR SMPs

AIA offers extensive support services to help small and medium sized practices work, evolve and grow. Our members in practice have access to everything they need to ensure they operate a successful practice and adhere to all necessary regulations. We continually review the services we provide and identify where we can add value.

The AIA practising certificate comes with additional recognition that allows members to offer a greater range of services to clients and help them reach their financial and business goals.

In early 2022 we launched a new online resource page for members outlining the channels to effectively engage and source information and achieve answers to queries from HMRC, as well as routes to assist in strengthening and improving the service to agents.

HMRC supports agents through a wide range of communication channels and services. Effectively accessing information needed to support SME clients can improve efficiency and reduce time in securing answer to queries.

Continuing to build on the wealth of online resources available to members and as an outcome of our Trust and Company Service Providers Thematic Review published in May 2022, we created new guidance for Trust or Company Service Providers (TCSP).

The guidance outlines what is a TCSP, where the risk is, how to manage the risk, explains firm-wide risk assessments and the importance of customer due diligence, as well as guidance around Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR).

These resources are accessed through the Guidance and Resources menu in My AIA

Throughout 2021/2022 we have continued to represent our members in practice and HMRC confirmed the AIA practising certificate was approved documentary evidence when applying for agent codes.