Online Sales Tax AAT speaks

Do you need unconscious bias training?

KPMG will make unconscious bias training mandatory and linked to bonuses from June, just over a year after the previous boss called the idea “complete crap”, according to a report

in the Daily Telegraph.

The accounting giant's 15,300 UK staff could have their bonuses slashed if they refuse to attend future lessons on bias, which will highlight how discussing skiing holidays, gap years and private schooling can isolate others.

Kevin Hogarth, KPMG UK's chief people officer, told the Telegraph that the mandatory training will ensure inclusion and diversity “gets the attention it deserves”.

He said: “We want all our people to come as they are, and that can only be made possible by challenging ourselves, confronting biases and listening and learning from each other.”

A spokesman also revealed that completion of the module will be “closely monitored and failure to complete the training will be flagged with performance leaders”. This could “impact a colleague’s performance rating, and by extension their bonus”.

AAT says no to Online Sales Tax

AAT recently became the ‘first and only’ professional accountancy body to publicly oppose HM Treasury’s proposals for an Online Sales Tax (OST).

AAT has repeatedly said that the business rates system is in need of reform, but also makes clear that an OST is not the solution.

The latest retail sales data shows the popularity of online retailers continuing to rise. Taxing such activity, suggests the AAT, could potentially stifle this upward trend, at a cost to consumers, businesses and the wider economy.

Phil Hall, AAT’s Head of Public Affairs and Public Policy, said: “The government consultation puts forward a very vague idea of introducing a new tax in limited circumstances, with limited applicability, that it will not replace business rates but may help reduce them for some retailers in unspecified circumstances – all in the hope of partially addressing the fact that businesses that mostly operate online appear to pay less in business rates than ‘bricksand-mortar’ competitors.”

Should members fines go back to their body?

The accountancy profession is facing mounting pressure to explain why it pockets tens of millions of pounds in fines rather than giving it back to the victims of the wrongdoing.

Darren Jones, the chair of the Commons’ business energy and industrial strategy committee, has now written to the ICAEW to justify why it keeps the fines from the misconduct of its own members.

Some were shocked when it was revealed a KPMG fine of £14.4 million for forging document in connection with the audit of Carillion went straight into the ICAEW’s bank account.

Both ICAEW and ACCA have now reportedly told City AM that they would be happy to give the millions they reaped through fines against the Big 4 to the Treasury instead.

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