AIA – Association of International Accountants
International professional body for accountants | Our professional certification
We are an AIA Member in Practice – our practice is registered with and regularly reviewed by the Association of International Accountants (AIA), one of the leading international professional bodies for accountants.
What is AIA?
The Association of International Accountants was founded in 1928 in the United Kingdom. It is a global membership organisation for professional accountants, with a network of qualified accountants in more than 80 countries, championing the concept of "international accountancy". His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was an Honorary Member of AIA for many years.
Why AIA membership matters
The AIA Member in Practice designation is not just a logo in the footer – it is a commitment to strict professional standards:
- Professionally qualified – we have completed the AIA Professional Qualification (or equivalent) and undertake mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) every year to stay up to date with the latest legislation and best practice
- Regulated by AIA – we are bound by the AIA Constitution and Code of Ethics and are accountable to its disciplinary process
- Licensed to practise – we renew our Practising Certificate annually and hold Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Supervised under the Money Laundering Regulations – we are monitored for compliance and quality assurance
Our designation
Mgr. Frank Cross, MBA, AAIA, MIPA, AFA, is our partner and holds the professional AIA and IPA designation. This confirms that all education, practice and ethical requirements have been met.
Concrete practical benefits AIA membership brings to clients
Recognition by AIA is not just a formality – in practice, it opens the door to a number of concrete official and financial processes that require confirmation from a regulated accountant:
- Confirmations for banks and building societies – AIA members are recognised by major UK banks and building societies (including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, NatWest, Nationwide, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander UK, TSB, Skipton and Yorkshire Building Society, among others) as eligible to sign the accounts of clients seeking finance, mortgages or other supporting documentation.
- Evidence for UK Visas and Immigration – AIA is recognised under UK Visas and Immigration guidance, allowing our accountants to provide accountants' evidence for Tier 1 (General) applications and under the policy guidance for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) of the Points Based System.
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) statements – AIA is recognised under FCA rules, allowing our accountants to sign a high net worth exemption statement for clients under the Consumer Credit Sourcebook (CONC).
- Independent examination of charity accounts – AIA is included in the Charities Act 2011 list of bodies whose members are able to act as independent examiners for the accounts of charities with an annual income of up to £1,000,000.
- ATOL Reporting Accountants' Scheme – AIA members are eligible to register under this scheme, which is essential for clients who hold an Air Travel Organisers' Licence (ATOL), enabling us to submit ATOL reports on their behalf to the Civil Aviation Authority.
- Licensed Access to instruct barristers directly – as AIA members in practice in the UK, we are licensed to instruct barristers directly for advice and, in some circumstances, representation in courts and tribunals in England and Wales, and for arbitration, adjudication and mediation – without needing a solicitor as an intermediary.
- Support with workplace pensions (Automatic Enrolment) – as your accountant we can advise on choosing and running a pension scheme for automatic enrolment, which affects practically every UK company with employees.
Note: recognition by individual banks, building societies and institutions can change over time, and AIA updates its list based on member experience – we are happy to confirm the current status on request.
What our AIA membership means for you
- Quality assurance – our work follows internationally recognised standards, not just our own judgement
- Client protection – as a regulated practice we are required to identify and report suspicious transactions
- Up-to-date knowledge – mandatory CPD hours mean we are always aware of changes in legislation
- Professional insurance – we are required to hold professional indemnity insurance
- Independent oversight – in the event of a dispute, you can approach AIA directly as an independent regulatory body
You can verify our membership directly on the association's website: aiaworldwide.com.
Do you have questions about our certification or accounting services?
We are happy to explain what our AIA membership means for you in practice.
Contact us or take a look at our accounting and tax services.