Accountants for contractors might be pleased to hear that tax professionals working for HMRC are going to be able to study for Tax Professional Qualifications in a new scheme accredited by Manchester Metropolitan University.
The scheme will run in parallel to the existing partnership between the Revenue and the AAT for TPQs at foundation level.
The permanent secretary for tax, Dave Hartnett, confirmed that HMRC is establishing an academy for tax professionals to ensure standards in the department are raised. Staff will benefit from better and faster access to the skills they need and the link-up with Manchester Metropolitan University is another vital step towards achieving this goal.
Mike Falvey, HMRC’s chief people officer, said he thought this was a great opportunity for the Revenue and its tax professionals to improve the service it provides to its customers and stakeholders and to become recognised as a centre for tax professionalism.
The MMU’s accredited Tax Professional Qualifications will give external validity and recognition for HMRC’s higher level tax qualifications. The University’s Business School is already a leader in providing employer-based training. Tesco, PwC and Bank of New York Mellon are amongst its clients.
The TPQs are delivered in flexible modules that test amongst other things, communication, dispute resolution and negotiation.
The UK has become swamped by new tax legislation in recent years and accountants and business owners have been quick to point out that HMRC staff don’t understand some of the regulations. Hopefully these new qualifications will enable the Revenue’s tax professionals to comprehensively answer queries in the future.
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