Association of Tax Technicians (ATT)
Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) training offers a thorough understanding of the basic UK tax system. This entry-level qualification equips you to provide tax advice and services to the self-employed (sole traders), as well as work in other rewarding areas such as industry, commerce and the public sector. ATT is also a useful stepping stone to the next level and Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA) status.
ATT students regularly achieve high pass rates well above average in every paper – many becoming prize winners. Like them, you'll benefit from our choice and flexibility, the expert support on offer from our full-time tutors and our exclusive, market-leading study materials. Free ATT Pass Assurance means that we even include a free revision course in the event you need to retake.
Kick-start your tax career
The ATT is a practical and widely respected qualification – it both expands your career opportunities and improves prospects for your salary and benefits.
We offer a range of study options so you can complete the ATT course programme at a time and pace that suits you. Choose from a flexible mix of classroom, distance learning and revision options.
Leaders in technical education
The ATT qualification is accredited by the Association of Taxation Technicians – the UK’s leader in technical education and qualification for taxation technicians with a membership of over 7,000.
Once you’ve passed the two compulsory papers, an optional paper and the Law and Ethics computer based exams – and you have also fulfilled the practical experience requirement – you can apply for Association membership. You can then use the letters ATT to promote your career.
After ATT
The entry level ATT offers ideal pre-preparation for studying for the more advanced CTA qualification. This is awarded by the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) – an organisation of international standing and part of the 150,000-member pan-European Confédération Fiscale Européenne.
Structure
The ATT qualification is modular – featuring six standalone Certificates of Competency and two computer based assessments in Law and Ethics. Two of the modular papers are core and four are non-core:ATT core papers
Core papers cover:
- Personal taxation
- Business taxation and accounting principles
ATT non-core papers
Non-core papers cover:
- Business Compliance
- Corporate Taxation
- IHT, Trusts and Estates
- VAT
The advantage of this modular structure is that you can focus only on those papers that are relevant to your job – or you can gain full ATT membership by passing all of the core modules, the computer based assessments and one non-core paper.
Exemptions
If you’re an AAT full member and have passed the AAT Business Taxation unit, you’re entitled to a credit for ATT Paper 2 – Business taxation and accounting principles. Full details are available from the Association of Taxation Technicians.ATT exam format and pass marks
Each of the core and non-core papers lasts three hours and is split as follows:
- Short form questions worth 40% of the marks (Between 10 and 20 – each carrying two to four marks)
- Longer questions worth 60% of the marks (Between three and five long questions – each carrying 10 to 20 marks)
All questions are compulsory and you’ll need an overall pass mark of 50% to gain a Certificate of Competency for each paper.
Sittings
Exams are held in May and November each year – spread over two days so that if you’re aiming to gain the full ATT qualification in one sitting, you can do so.See more on Ways to study.
ATT May 2012 exams – Important information (PDF - 68KB)
Dates and prices
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Award-winning study materials
We include our BPP exam-focused core materials in our distance learning package. If you're a taught course student we also recommend purchasing them to use with our classroom material.
Core study materials include:
- Course exam programme
- Pass cards for easy on-the-move revision
- i-Pass CD ROMS
- Revision kit and mock exam
Classroom notes and revision material are available. We also recommend a number of study texts – now available as eTexts for use on digital devices, as well as hard copy.
Free pass assurance scheme
Should you fail an ATT exam, you can choose any equivalent taught or revision course for that unit for the next sitting free of charge – subject to availability.
You must, though, meet the following criteria:
- Full and punctual attendance on all taught and revision courses in any BPP UK training centre
- Submission of all course and mock exams on or before the date specified on the submission table
- A score of at least 35% in each course exam and 40% in each mock exam
If you are attending a revision course under Pass Assurance you may have to purchase a new revision kit as this is not included in the course.
Flexible learning
We've designed a three-step 'Learning, Revision, Rehearsal' programme to maximise your chances of ATT qualification first time round.
You can approach it in the way that suits you and your commitments – through taught classes, distance learning or a combination of the two.
Study at your own pace
Take the 'fast-track' option of all papers at once, study for one paper at a time or take a 2:3 split (normally Paper One and Two followed by your chosen non-core paper and the Law and Ethics computer based exams).
Our revision classes complement all classroom and distance routes, offering the benefit of more than 20 years' ATT training experience including exam tips and other advice.
Our new online classroom courses for Papers Three, Five and Six are also available for students sitting their exams on or after May 2012.
Taught courses
Attend our taught ATT courses and you'll enjoy a greater chance of exam success first time round – our data proves it.
The core ATT papers need four days to cover the necessary material, while the non-core papers are covered in two days. Tuition for the computer based assessments is through our new online classroom.
Taught courses can be in weekday blocks held on consecutive days. You can also opt to join them on Saturdays – usually on a weekly basis – or for two evenings each week.
Online classroom courses
A number of ATT papers are available to study through the online classroom. This includes the e-assessments for Law and Ethics, as well as some of the non-core papers.
The online classroom gives you access to all of the features of the enhanced classroom, such as online lectures, exam debriefs and guidance on approaching exam questions – as well as a dedicated tutor who will be on hand to answer queries and help monitor your progress through regular weekly contact.
For May 2012 exams, Paper Three (Business Compliance), Paper Five (Inheritance Tax) and Paper Six (VAT) will be available through our online classroom, where you will be able to access classroom recordings, course exam debriefs, revision hints, tips and questions debriefs, as well as access to a dedicated tutor throughout your studies who will monitor your performance and contact you regularly to ensure that you are on track to pass the exam.
Distance learning courses
You can also prepare for the ATT exam through distance learning either alongside a classroom link course or on a self-study basis. This means you can work in your own time and space using the same comprehensive study materials we list for the link course above.
At BPP we don't, though, just leave our distance learners to study unsupported.
You'll benefit from direct access to your tutor via phone or email – so you can get the most from our printed and e-texts and other user friendly learning materials. You'll also be able to take full advantage of our mock exam and consolidation exercises so that you're as prepared for your ATT exams as possible.
Revision courses
Our focused revision courses are typically three days long - and offer a full recap of core syllabus areas with in-depth question practice, time management tips and invaluable 'extra marks' guidance.
You will also have access to online debriefs of exam standard revision questions and also the mock exam – so that you can review your answers outside the classroom.
In addition, we provide revision pass cards and CD-ROMs, as well as revision notes.
How to apply
You don't need any specific experience or formal qualifications to sit the ATT exams. This means it's equally suitable if you left school at 16 or are otherwise unqualified and wish to enhance your skills and CV.
You must be a registered Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) student member to take the examinations – contact the ATT directly to register.
Key dates
ATT exams take place in either May or November.
Key dates for May sitting
- End of February for receipt of entry forms
- Exams held in May
- Results out in July
ATT May 2012 exams – Important information (PDF - 68KB)
Key dates for November sitting
- End of August for receipt of entry forms
- Exams held in November
- Results out in January
Study locations
You can train for the ATT face-to-face at one of our nine tax centres around the country – see the list below. Each centre offers state-of-the-art facilities and comfortable, high-quality classroom environments. Or, if you need to study from home or overseas, you can also train for the ATT via our online classroom.
- BPP Birmingham
- BPP Bristol
- BPP Cambridge
- BPP Glasgow
- BPP Leeds
- BPP London
- BPP Maidstone
- BPP Manchester
- BPP Reading
- BPP Southampton
Book by phone on 0845 075 1100.
