The FTA welcomes enquiries from people who are working in the UK tax profession whether in practice, an employee (including HMRC staff) or involvement in academia.
You are welcome to browse our pages and if you would like to know more about the Federation please, send your enquiry to admin@fta.uk.com
Routes to Membership
Applications for full membership are considered on one of the following basis:
Associate
Applicants for full Associate Membership will need to satisfy the FTA that they have achieved and maintained a satisfactory level of knowledge. This is usually accomplished by passing the FTA examination, the first of which was held in March 2007.
Exemption from the exam may be granted if the applicant has recently passed equivalent exams in relevant subjects with other organisations under the Exam Exemption route.
Alternatively an application may be considered under the FTA's standards for Accredited Prior Learning.
Fellow
Associates may apply for upgrading to Fellow status on completion of at least three years in practice and will be subject to additional referencing and interviewing by the FTA.
Student
A copy of the examination syllabus is available in the Students area of the website. The exam is held in March and September each year and is based on the Finance Act of the previous year. The FTA Study Manual (available from BPP) includes a pilot paper with answers and further papers are available to registered students on the FTA website.
Students are not full members of the Federation and as such do not benefit from permission to use the designatory letters AFTA or FFTA or to claim that they are a member of the FTA. Students are also not entitled to receive notice of, to attend or to vote at any General Meeting of the FTA
Academic
Applications for affiliate membership are welcomed from those involved in academia and who wish to receive the benefits of membership without the commitment associated with practicing members. Affiliate members will receive the monthly Newsletters and have access to the Member's Area of the website including the Forums and can obtain the highly acclaimed BPP Update Course at the special rates negotiated for full members (see below).
Retired
Full members may request continuation of membership into retirement and this will afford the benefit of continuing in touch with the tax profession through receipt of the monthly newsletters and access to the Member’s Area of the website including the Forums. However, as it would not be appropriate, retired members will not be required to comply with the Code of Conduct or be allowed to use the designatory letters as available to full members.
Member Benefits
Continuing Professional Development is key to providing a professional and knowledgeable service to clients and FTA has arranged, in conjunction with BPP, for a monthly update online course to be available for members only at a fraction of the cost. Full details are available for access in the Member's Area.
There are also special terms for Professional Indemnity Insurance through the Pavey Group and again details are available to members.
In addition to a monthly Newsletter, the FTA issues a 'Client Newsletter' at least three times a year for members to send on to their clients. This contains topical information to generate enquiries from clients for FTA members.
The FTA website is run for the members and members can promote their business to both the public and to other members in order to generate enquiries for FTA practicing members.
A monitored Members Forum on the website is gaining in popularity and this provides for debate and a confidential exchange of information and advice between FTA members.
Other products and services with negotiated discounts/special terms include a complete anti-Money Laundering package and introductions (with fee sharing) for management of insolvency issues and also investigations.
IFA Affiliate Membership Benefits
When FTA joined with IFA the members simultaneously transferred membership to Affiliate status membership of the IFA. the FTA name continues to be used as a trading name of the IFA and is operated as the Tax Faculty of the IFA with a dedicated Steering Group that meets quarterly.
This arrangement has advantages for the FTA members and members in practice will now be able to apply for a Practicing Certificate. The IFA will also assume the role of supervisor under the Money Laundering Regulations for all firms in which FTA members are involved although exceptions are available if the firm is supervised by another recognised supervisory body.
FTA now has a Technical Support Helpline and other member support activities include joining with the IFA in the Regional Meetings held throughout the UK at various times through the year. Full details are available on the IFA website (http://www.ifa.org.uk/news-and-events/events).
A copy of the Membership Rules and the Code of Conduct can be downloaded by clicking on the following links:
Membership Rules *
Code of Practice *
* If your Internet browser is set to block 'pop-ups', please hold down the Ctrl key at the same time as clicking on the links above. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - click here to download.