Investigation Committee Consent Orders

The articles in this section outline the results of consent orders

CONSENT ORDER

On 28th April 2025, with the agreement of Bernadette Cook of Epsom, a member of The Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT), the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an Order pursuant to Regulation 8.2 of The Taxation Disciplinary Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended 2016 and 2024) that Bernadette Cook be:

  • Censured;
  • Fined in the sum of £7,000;
  • Required to pay £1,005 by way of costs.

The Order was in respect of alleged breaches by Bernadette Cook of the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended 1 January 2021): 

2.6       Professional behaviour

 2.6.2  A member must:

  • Uphold the professional standards of the CIOT and ATT as set out in the Laws of the -CIOT and ATT.
  • Take due care in their professional conduct and professional dealings.

2.6.3  A member must not: 

  • Perform their professional work, or conduct their practice or business relationships, or perform the duties of their employment improperly, inefficiently, negligently, or incompletely to such an extent or on such number of occasions as to be likely to bring discredit to themselves, to the CIOT or ATT or to the tax profession. 
  • Breach the Laws of the CIOT or ATT.
  • Conduct themselves in an unbefitting, unlawful, or illegal manner, including in a personal, private capacity, which tends to bring discredit upon a member and/or may harm the standing of the profession and/or the CIOT or ATT (as the case may be). For the avoidance of doubt, conduct in this context includes (but is not limited to) conduct as part of a member’s personal or private life.

2.7  Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) and Personal Responsibility

2.7.1 A member in practice must protect their clients, their practice and themselves by having PII cover that complies with the CIOT/ATT PII Regulations as they have a duty of care to their clients when carrying out their professional work. A member is responsible for their own work and that of their employees and subcontractors. A member may be liable to pay damages for loss caused by their own professional negligence and that of their employees and subcontractors.

2.10     Compliance with Anti Money Laundering legislation and registration

2.10.1 A member must comply with the UK’s AML legislation in force from time to time. A member must act in accordance with the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (‘CCAB’) anti money laundering guidance including the appendix for tax practitioners which can be found h ere for CIOT and here for ATT.

2.10.2 A member in practice must either be registered with the CIOT or ATT for AML supervision or, if requested, advise the CIOT and ATT of their Supervisory Authority under The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017. See the CIOT and ATT websites for further information including completion and submission of the registration form.

ATT Anti-Money Laundering Scheme Rules

Registration

  • 3.1 Members who are sole proprietors and firms comprising members at least one of whom is an equity partner, member of an LLP or company director listed at Companies House, whose business includes the provision of tax advice to clients should apply for registration under the Scheme, using the form issued by the Institute for this purpose.

Rights and obligations

5.4 A registrant must comply with the requirements of the Institute as set out in or issued in pursuance of the Scheme. In particular, a registrant must:

(a) where a sole proprietor, obtain and disclose to the Institute a criminal history check in support of the application for registration;

(c) complete and submit an annual AML return in a form to be issued by the Institute;

(e) pay the registration and annual retention fee as determined from time to time by the Association;

(h) conduct their practice in accordance with the laws of the Institute and in particular the Professional Rules and Practice Guidelines and Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation applicable to members.

  • 5.5 Registrants must comply where appropriate with their direct obligations under the 2017 Regulations and other relevant legislation and registration under the Scheme shall not reduce or qualify any such direct obligations.
  • 5.6 A registrant is responsible for ensuring that all of its principals and staff, whether they are or are not members, comply, as appropriate, with the Scheme and any requirements of the PCRT.

Discipline

  • 6.1 The Scheme is part of the laws of the Institute and a registrant who fails to comply with its terms is liable to disciplinary action under those laws. A complaint against a registrant alleging failure to comply with the Scheme shall be referred for action by the TDB, which may apply any appropriate sanction in accordance with its powers from time to time.
  • 6.2 For the avoidance of doubt, a registrant alleged to have failed to comply with paragraph 5.6 shall be liable to disciplinary action by or on behalf of the Institute, and it shall not be a defence that a failure of compliance was an act or omission of a principal or member of staff who is not a member.
  • 6.3 A registrant may not withdraw, or apply to be removed, from, the register whilst subject to disciplinary action under or in pursuance of paragraph 6.1.

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

On 02 May 2025, with the agreement of Mr Luke Prout of Rushden, a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) and the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT), the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an Order pursuant to Regulation 8.2 of The Taxation Disciplinary Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended 2016 and 2024) that Mr Luke Prout be:

  • Censured;
  • Fined the sum of £2000;
  • Required to pay a sum of £1005 by way of costs.

The Order was in respect of alleged breaches by Mr Prout of the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended 1 January 2021):

 

2.2       Integrity

2.2.      A member must not engage in or be party (directly or indirectly) to any illegal activity.

2.6       Professional behaviour

 2.6.2  A member must: 

  • Uphold the professional standards of the CIOT and ATT as set out in the Laws of the -CIOT and ATT.
  • Take due care in their professional conduct and professional dealings.

2.6.3  A member must not: 

  • Perform their professional work, or conduct their practice or business relationships, or perform the duties of their employment improperly, inefficiently, negligently, or incompletely to such an extent or on such number of occasions as to be likely to bring discredit to themselves, to the CIOT or ATT or to the tax profession.
  • Breach the Laws of the CIOT or ATT.
  • Conduct themselves in an unbefitting, unlawful, or illegal manner, including in a personal, private capacity, which tends to bring discredit upon a member and/or may harm the standing of the profession and/or the CIOT or ATT (as the case may be). For the avoidance of doubt, conduct in this context includes (but is not limited to) conduct as part of a member’s personal or private life.

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

On 24th April 2025, with the agreement of Shahla Ela of Birmingham, a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) , the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an Order pursuant to Regulation 8.2 of The Taxation Disciplinary Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended 2016 and 2024) that Shahla Ela be:

  • Recommended for removal from the student register, and that any application to reapply for membership would be unlikely to be successful until a period of 2 years has elapsed;
  • Fined in the sum of £500.00; and
  • Required to pay a sum of £730.00 by way of costs.

The Order was in respect of alleged breaches by Shahla Ela of the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended 1 January 2021):

 

The ATT Online examination regulations

 

Relevant sections of the exam regulations are:

 

  1. The direct use of GENAI is not permitted. Your answers must be your own work.

 

  1. Taking screenshots or photographs of your screen is strictly prohibited.

 

  1. You are not permitted to copy, photograph, screenshot, or retain copies of the exam questions. You are strictly prohibited from distributing unauthorised copies of the exam questions and the ATT reserve the right to take screenshots from your device.

 

  1. The Online exams will again be Open book, this means you may refer to any books, study manuals, pre-prepared notes and online resources during the exams.

 

  1. Software will be used on all answers submitted to check whether you have colluded with any other candidates during the exam. In this context collusion is defined as communicating with other candidates sitting the exam or any other individual to collaborate, discuss the exam questions or gain any other advantage during the exam. If collusion is detected, candidates will be disqualified (from all the exams sat at that exam session) and reported to the TDB, who have the power to censure, fine or recommend the exclusion of any student from the ATT.

 

2.6       Professional behaviour

 

 2.6.2  A member must:

  • Uphold the professional standards of the CIOT and ATT as set out in the Laws of the -CIOT and ATT.
  • Take due care in their professional conduct and professional dealings.

2.6.3  A member must not:

  • Perform their professional work, or conduct their practice or business relationships, or perform the duties of their employment improperly, inefficiently, negligently, or incompletely to such an extent or on such number of occasions as to be likely to bring discredit to themselves, to the CIOT or ATT or to the tax profession.
  • Breach the Laws of the CIOT or ATT.
  • Conduct themselves in an unbefitting, unlawful, or illegal manner, including in a personal, private capacity, which tends to bring discredit upon a member and/or may harm the standing of the profession and/or the CIOT or ATT (as the case may be). For the avoidance of doubt, conduct in this context includes (but is not limited to) conduct as part of a member’s personal or private life.

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

On 24th April 2025, with the agreement of Jade Frazer of Ryton, a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT), the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an Order pursuant to Regulation 8.2 of The Taxation Disciplinary Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended 2016 and 2024) that Jade Frazer be:

  • Recommended for removal from the student register, and that a period of at least 2 years should elapse before an application for readmission might be successful; and
  • Required to pay a sum of £730.00 by way of costs.

The Order was in respect of alleged breaches by Jade Frazer of the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended 1 January 2021):

 

The ATT Online examination regulations

 

Relevant sections of the exam regulations are:

 

  1. The direct use of GENAI is not permitted. Your answers must be your own work.

 

  1. Taking screenshots or photographs of your screen is strictly prohibited.

 

  1. You are not permitted to copy, photograph, screenshot, or retain copies of the exam questions. You are strictly prohibited from distributing unauthorised copies of the exam questions and the ATT reserve the right to take screenshots from your device.

 

  1. The Online exams will again be Open book, this means you may refer to any books, study manuals, pre-prepared notes and online resources during the exams.

 

  1. Software will be used on all answers submitted to check whether you have colluded with any other candidates during the exam. In this context collusion is defined as communicating with other candidates sitting the exam or any other individual to collaborate, discuss the exam questions or gain any other advantage during the exam. If collusion is detected, candidates will be disqualified (from all the exams sat at that exam session) and reported to the TDB, who have the power to censure, fine or recommend the exclusion of any student from the ATT.

 

2.6       Professional behaviour 

 2.6.2  A member must: 

  • Uphold the professional standards of the CIOT and ATT as set out in the Laws of the -CIOT and ATT.
  • Take due care in their professional conduct and professional dealings.

2.6.3  A member must not:

  • Perform their professional work, or conduct their practice or business relationships, or perform the duties of their employment improperly, inefficiently, negligently, or incompletely to such an extent or on such number of occasions as to be likely to bring discredit to themselves, to the CIOT or ATT or to the tax profession.
  • Breach the Laws of the CIOT or ATT.
  • Conduct themselves in an unbefitting, unlawful, or illegal manner, including in a personal, private capacity, which tends to bring discredit upon a member and/or may harm the standing of the profession and/or the CIOT or ATT (as the case may be). For the avoidance of doubt, conduct in this context includes (but is not limited to) conduct as part of a member’s personal or private life.

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

On 31st March 2025, with the agreement of Mr Neil Heavens of Swindon, a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an Order pursuant to Regulation 8.2 of The Taxation Disciplinary Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended 2016 and 2024) that Mr Neil Heavens be:

  • Censured; and
  • Required to pay a sum of £730.00 by way of

The Order was in respect of alleged breaches by Mr Neil Heavens of the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended 1 January 2021):

1.7 A member owes a duty not to act in such a way as to bring CIOT/ATT into disrepute, or in any way which would harm the reputation or standing of CIOT/ATT. Further, a member may have duties and obligations to other regulators and professional bodies, for example, HMRC or the Financial Reporting Council, and should have regard to these as relevant.

2.6       Professional behaviour

 2.6.2  A member must:

  • Uphold the professional standards of the CIOT and ATT as set out in the Laws of the -CIOT and ATT.
  • Take due care in their professional conduct and professional dealings.

2.6.3  A member must not:

  • Perform their professional work, or conduct their practice or business relationships, or perform the duties of their employment improperly, inefficiently, negligently, or incompletely to such an extent or on such number of occasions as to be likely to bring discredit to themselves, to the CIOT or ATT or to the tax profession.
  • Breach the Laws of the CIOT or ATT.
  • Conduct themselves in an unbefitting, unlawful, or illegal manner, including in a personal, private capacity, which tends to bring discredit upon a member and/or may harm the standing of the profession and/or the CIOT or ATT (as the case may be). For the avoidance of doubt, conduct in this context includes (but is not limited to) conduct as part of a member’s personal or private life.

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

On 11th March 2025, with the agreement of Anna Brocklehurst of Loughborough, a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT, the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an Order pursuant to Regulation 8.2 of The Taxation Disciplinary Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended 2016 and 2024) that Anna Brocklehurst be:

• Censured;
• Required to pay £1,005 by way of costs;

The Order was in respect of alleged breaches by Anna Brocklehurst of the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended 1 January 2021):

1.7  A member owes a duty not to act in such a way as to bring CIOT/ATT into disrepute, or in any way which would harm the reputation or standing of CIOT/ATT. Further, a member may have duties and obligations to other regulators and professional bodies, for example, HMRC or the Financial Reporting Council, and should have regard to these as relevant

2.6.3  A member must not:

  • Perform their professional work, or conduct their practice or business relationships, or perform the duties of their employment improperly, inefficiently, negligently, or incompletely to such an extent or on such number of occasions as to be likely to bring discredit to themselves, to the CIOT or ATT or to the tax profession.
  • Breach the Laws of the CIOT or ATT.
  • Conduct themselves in an unbefitting, unlawful, or illegal manner, including in a personal, private capacity, which tends to bring discredit upon a member and/or may harm the standing of the profession and/or the CIOT or ATT (as the case may be). For the avoidance of doubt, conduct in this context includes (but is not limited to) conduct as part of a member’s personal or private life.

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

On 24th June 2024, with the agreement of Kathryn Louise Varney of Bury St Edmunds, a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an Order pursuant to Regulation 8.2 of The Taxation Disciplinary Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended 2016 and 2024) that Kathryn Louise Varney be:

• Censured;
• Required to pay a sum of £730.00 by way of costs.

The Order was in respect of alleged breaches by Kathryn Louise Varney of the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended 1 January 2021):

2.14.1 A member must inform the CIOT or ATT in writing addressed to the Head of Professional Standards CIOT or ATT as appropriate, within 2 months if they are:

  • Arrested on suspicion of; or
  • Charged with; or
  • Convicted of a criminal offence. A criminal offence includes an offence committed in the United Kingdom or abroad.
  • On or after 1 January 2021 – convicted of Summary only road traffic offences.
  • On or after 1 January 2021 – (have) accepted a caution for a criminal offence.

A member must supply details of the nature of the allegation, conviction or caution and provide such relevant information in relation to it as is reasonably requested.

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

On 28th January 2025, with the agreement of [XXXXXXXXX] of [XXXXXXXXX], a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) , the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an Order pursuant to Regulation 8.2 of The Taxation Disciplinary Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended 2016 and 2024) that [XXXXXXXXX] be:

• Censured;
• There be no order of costs.

The Order was in respect of alleged breaches by [XXXXXXXXX] of the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended 1 January 2021):

2.6 Professional behaviour

2.6.1 Professional behaviour encompasses a member’s business dealing and in certain circumstances as set out below in 2.6.3, conduct in a member’s personal life or private capacity.

2.6.2 A member must:

• Uphold the professional standards of the CIOT and ATT as set out in the Laws of the – CIOT and ATT.

2.6.3 A member must not:

• Breach the Laws of the CIOT or ATT.

• Conduct themselves in an unbefitting, unlawful, or illegal manner, including in a personal, private capacity, which tends to bring discredit upon a member and/or may harm the standing of the profession and/or the CIOT or ATT (as the case may be). For the avoidance of doubt, conduct in this context includes (but is not limited to) conduct as part of a member’s personal or private life.

2.14 Obligation to notify the CIOT and ATT – Including new requirements 1 January 2021

2.14.1 A member must inform the CIOT or ATT in writing addressed to the Head of Professional Standards CIOT or ATT as appropriate, within 2 months if they are:

• Arrested on suspicion of; or

• Charged with; or

• Convicted of a criminal offence. A criminal offence includes an offence committed in the United Kingdom or abroad.

A member must supply details of the nature of the allegation, conviction or caution and provide such relevant information in relation to it as is reasonably requested.

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

On 28th January 2025, with the agreement of Mr Rezahussain Hooda of Fareham United Kingdom, a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an Order pursuant to Regulation 8.2 of The Taxation Disciplinary Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended 2016 and 2024) that Mr Rezahussain Hooda be:

  • Censured;
  • fined the sum of £500 for the proven Charge; and
  • required to pay a sum of £730 by way of costs

The Order was in respect of alleged breaches by Mr Rezahussain Hooda of the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended 1 January 2021): 

1.7  A member owes a duty not to act in such a way as to bring CIOT/ATT into disrepute, or in any way which would harm the reputation or standing of CIOT/ATT. Further, a member may have duties and obligations to other regulators and professional bodies, for example, HMRC or the Financial Reporting Council, and should have regard to these as relevant.

2.6.3  A member must not:

  • Perform their professional work, or conduct their practice or business relationships, or perform the duties of their employment improperly, inefficiently, negligently, or incompletely to such an extent or on such number of occasions as to be likely to bring discredit to themselves, to the CIOT or ATT or to the tax profession.
  • Breach the Laws of the CIOT or ATT.
  • Conduct themselves in an unbefitting, unlawful, or illegal manner, including in a personal, private capacity, which tends to bring discredit upon a member and/or may harm the standing of the profession and/or the CIOT or ATT (as the case may be). For the avoidance of doubt, conduct in this context includes (but is not limited to) conduct as part of a member’s personal or private life.

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

On 6th January 2025, with the agreement of Mateen Imtiaz of Milton Keynes, a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT), the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an Order pursuant to Regulation 8.2 of The Taxation Disciplinary Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended 2016 and 2024) that Mateen Imtiaz  be suspended from ATT for 3 months and ordered to pay costs of £730.

The Order was in respect of alleged breaches by Mateen Imtiaz of the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended 1 January 2021):

2.8       Completion of Annual Return  

2.8.1     A member must complete and submit their Annual Return to the CIOT/ATT within the advised time limits.

2.10     Compliance with Anti Money Laundering legislation and registration

2.10.1 A member must comply with the UK’s AML legislation in force from time to time. A member must act in accordance with the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (‘CCAB’) anti money laundering guidance including the appendix for tax practitioners which can be found h ere for CIOT and here for ATT.

2.10.2 A member in practice must either be registered with the CIOT or ATT for AML supervision or, if requested, advise the CIOT and ATT of their Supervisory Authority under The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017. See the CIOT and ATT websites for further information including completion and submission of the registration form.

2.12     Provision of information to the CIOT and ATT

2.12.1   A member must provide such information as is reasonably requested by the CIOT and ATT without unreasonable delay. A member must reply to correspondence from the CIOT and ATT which requires a response and again must do so without an unreasonable delay

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

On 25th October 2024, with the agreement of Richard Braysher of Pinner, a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an Order pursuant to Regulation 8.2 of The Taxation Disciplinary Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended 2016 and 2024) that Richard Braysher is suspended for 1 year and ordered to pay costs.

The Order was in respect of alleged breaches by Richard Braysher of the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2011

Rule 2.6 Professional Behaviour
Rule 2.11 Obligation to comply with Anti-Money Laundering legislation

and the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended 1 January 2021):

Rule 2.6 Professional behaviour
Rule 2.10 Compliance with Anti Money Laundering legislation and registration
Rule 2.12 Provision of information to the CIOT and ATT

And Rule 5.3 of the AML Regulations 2007 and 5.4 of the AML Regulations 2018

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

On 1st October 2024, with the agreement of Michael Feng of Willesden, London, a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT), the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an Order pursuant to Regulation 8.2 of The Taxation Disciplinary Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended 2016 and 2024) that Michael Feng be censured and ordered to pay a fine of £5000 and costs of £1005.

The Order was in respect of alleged breaches by Michael Feng of the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended 1 January 2021):

2.6 Professional behaviour

2.6.3 A member must not:

  • Perform their professional work, or conduct their practice or business relationships, or perform the duties of their employment improperly, inefficiently, negligently, or incompletely to such an extent or on such number of occasions as to be likely to bring discredit to themselves, to the CIOT or ATT or to the tax profession.
  • Breach the Laws of the CIOT or ATT.
  • Conduct themselves in an unbefitting, unlawful, or illegal manner, including in a personal, private capacity, which tends to bring discredit upon a member and/or may harm the standing of the profession and/or the CIOT or ATT (as the case may be). For the avoidance of doubt, conduct in this context includes (but is not limited to) conduct as part of a member’s personal or private life.

2.6.4 A member should be courteous and considerate towards all with whom they come into contact in the course of their professional work.

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

On 18th September 2024, with the agreement of Helen Mills of Lechlade, Gloucester, a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an Order pursuant to Regulation 8.2 of The Taxation Disciplinary Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended 2016 and 2024) that Helen Mills be subject to a censure and ordered to pay costs of £730.
The Order was in respect of alleged breaches by Helen Mills of the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2011 and 2018

Rules 2.6.1 and 2.6.2 (relating to Professional Behaviour) and 2.11 (Obligation to comply with Anti-Money Laundering legislation) of the PRPG 2011.

Rules 2.6.2 and 2.6.3 (relating to Professional Behaviour), 2.10.1 and 2.10.2 (relating to Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering legislation and registration) and 2.12.1 (Provision of information to the CIOP) of the PRPG 2018

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

On 13th November 2024, with the agreement of Erik McCall of Glasgow, a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an Order pursuant to Regulation 8.2 of The Taxation Disciplinary Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended 2016 and 2024) that Erik McCall be censured for 3 years and ordered to pay costs.
The Order was in respect of alleged breaches by Erik McCall of the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended 1 January 2021):

Regulation 2.1 inadequate professional service.

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

On 12 July 2024, with the agreement of Mr Philip Donegan of Edinburgh, a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an Order pursuant to Regulation 8.2 of The Taxation Disciplinary Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended 2016 and 2024) that Mr Donegan be expelled from membership of the CIOT with a recommendation for removal from the Members’ Register maintained by the CIOT. 

The Order was in respect of alleged breaches by Mr Donegan of the following Rules of the Professional Rule and Practice Guidelines 2018:

2.2 Integrity

Rule 2.2.2  A member must not engage in or be party (directly or indirectly) to any illegal activity.

2.6 Professional behaviour

Rule 2.6.2  A member must:

  • Uphold the professional standards of the CIOT and ATT as set out in the Laws of the -CIOT and ATT.
  • Take due care in their professional conduct and professional dealings.

Rule 2.6.3  A member must not:

  • Perform their professional work, or conduct their practice or business relationships, or perform the duties of their employment improperly, inefficiently, negligently, or incompletely to such an extent or on such number of occasions as to be likely to bring discredit to themselves, to the CIOT or ATT or to the tax profession.
  • Breach the Laws of the CIOT or ATT.
  • Conduct themselves in an unbefitting, unlawful, or illegal manner, including in a personal, private capacity, which tends to bring discredit upon a member and/or may harm the standing of the profession and/or the CIOT or ATT (as the case may be). For the avoidance of doubt, conduct in this context includes (but is not limited to) conduct as part of a member’s personal or private life.

2.14 Obligation to notify the CIOT and ATT – Including new requirements 1 January 2021

 2.14.1  A member must inform the CIOT or ATT in writing addressed to the Head of Professional Standards CIOT or ATT as appropriate, within 2 months if they are:

  • Arrested on suspicion of; or
  • Charged with; or
  • Convicted of a criminal offence. A criminal offence includes an offence committed in the United Kingdom or abroad.
  • On or after 1 January 2021 – convicted of Summary only road traffic offences.
  • On or after 1 January 2021 – (have) accepted a caution for a criminal offence.

A member must supply details of the nature of the allegation, conviction or caution and provide such relevant information in relation to it as is reasonably requested.

 

CONSENT ORDER

With the agreement of Ms Xiuzhen Li of London, UK, a student member of the Association of Taxation Technicians, the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an order on 8th May 2024 that Ms Xiuzhen Li :

  1. be suspended from the Student Register for 2 years;
  2. be prohibited from taking examinations for 2 years;
  3. pay costs in the sum of £600

with respect to complaints that Ms Xiuzhen Li had breached the following regulations:

  1. ATT Online Exam Regulation 1
    “You are not permitted to communicate with, receive assistance from, or copy from the answers of any other exam candidate, nor any other individual. The answers you submit must be entirely your own work and you must sit alone throughout the duration of your exam”.

and

  1. Professional Rules and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended in 2021) (PRPG)Rule 2.2.1. A member must always be honest in all their professional work. In particular, a member must not knowingly or recklessly supply information or make any statement which is false or misleading, nor knowingly fail to provide relevant information.

Rule 2.6.2 A member must:

-Uphold the professional standards of the CIOT and ATT as set out in the Laws of the -CIOT and ATT;

-Take due care in their professional conduct and professional dealings.

Rule 2.6.3 A member must not:

-Perform their professional work, or conduct their practice or business relationships, or perform the duties of their employment improperly, inefficiently, negligently or incompletely to such an extent or on such number of occasions as to be likely to bring discredit to themselves, to the CIOT or ATT or to the tax profession;

– Breach the Laws of the CIOT or ATT;

– Conduct themselves in an unbefitting, unlawful or illegal manner, including in a personal, private capacity, which tends to bring discredit upon a member and/or may harm the standing of the profession and/or the CIOT or ATT (as the case may be). For the avoidance of doubt, conduct in this context includes (but is not limited to) conduct as part of a member’s personal or private life.”

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

With the agreement of Mr Noel Tyler of Market Harborough, UK, a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an order on 9th May 2024 that Mr Noel Tyler be :

  1. Subject to a censure;
  2. Pay a fine of £1,200 (consisting of £500 relating to the DBS checks and £350 for each of the two complaints relating to AML forms);
  3. Pay costs of £1,050

with respect to complaints that Mr Noel Tyler had breached the following regulations:

 

Professional Rules and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended in 2021) (PRPG)

Rule 2.10.1 A member must comply with the UK’s AML legislation in force from time to time. A members must act in accordance with the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (‘CCAB’) anti money laundering guidance including the appendix for tax practitioners which can be found here for CIOT and here for ATT.

and

Rule 2.10.2 A member in practice must either be registered with the CIOT of ATT for AML supervision, or, if requested, advise the CIOT and ATT of their Supervisory Authority under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017.

And

Rule 2.12.1 A member must provide such information as is reasonably requested by the CIOT and ATT without unreasonable delay. A member must reply to correspondence from the CIOT and ATT which requires a response and again must do so without an unreasonable delay.

A link to the Order can be found here.

CONSENT ORDER

With the agreement of Ms Stephanie Dodds of Edinburgh, UK, a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians, the Investigation Committee of the Taxation Disciplinary Board made an order on 9th May 2024 that Ms Stephanie Dodds be :

  1. subject to a censure which should remain on the TDB’s record for the standard period of three years
  2. required to pay a fine in the sum of £750.00
  3. required to pay a sum of £600.00 by way of costs

with respect to complaints that Ms Stephanie Dodds had breached the following regulations:

 

Professional Rules and Practice Guidelines 2018 (as amended in 2021) (PRPG)

Rule 2.10.1 A member must comply with the UK’s AML legislation in force from time to time. A members must act in accordance with the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (‘CCAB’) anti money laundering guidance including the appendix for tax practitioners which can be found here for CIOT and here for ATT.

and

Rule 2.10.2 A member in practice must either be registered with the CIOT of ATT for AML supervision, or, if requested, advise the CIOT and ATT of their Supervisory Authority under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017.

A link to the Order can be found here.

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