CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY TAX AND BAS AGENTS
The Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) launched a new continuing professional education (CPE) policy for tax and Business Activity Statement (BAS) agents on Monday 4 June.
The CPE policy is an important step in assuring the community that tax and BAS agents meet appropriate standards of ethical and professional conduct. The policy will assist tax practitioners to maintain up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills to comply with their obligations under the Code of Professional Conduct (Code).
Chair of the TPB, Dale Boucher, said “a key part of the Code is for tax and BAS agents to maintain knowledge and skills relevant to the tax agent or BAS services they provide”.
“From 1 July 2012 all tax practitioners should begin their continuing professional education in accordance with the Board’s policy to maintain their professional knowledge and skills,” he said. “All agents should maintain a record as evidence of their CPE from 1 July 2012.”
“CPE activities can include attending seminars and conferences, reading or presenting technical publications or undertaking internet-based courses,” Mr Boucher said. “Over a standard three year registration period tax agents should undertake a minimum of 90 hours of CPE, while BAS agents should undertake a minimum of 45 hours.”
The policy applies to all registered tax and BAS agents. From 1 July 2013 the TPB will start to ask agents how they comply with the CPE policy.
More information about the CPE policy or agents’ obligations under the Code can be found on the Board’s website www.tpb.gov.au
About the Tax Practitioners Board
The Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) was established to regulate tax and BAS agents to protect consumers. The TPB assures the community that tax and BAS agents (approximately 53,000) meet appropriate standards of professional and ethical conduct.
Visit www.tpb.gov.au for more information on the TPB.