Bryan Rankin, Head of Student Operations at Chartered Accountants Ireland, shares practical advice on mastering study techniques, managing times and using Institute resources to confidently take your exams The requirements for professional-level exams can be a big step up for many, requiring more time and better techniques than are typically needed at university. Add to this is the fact that many students are juggling full-time work and study commitments, and you’ll see why time spent learning good study techniques is so valuable.  Know your resources Before getting stuck into a study routine, take a step back and take note of all of the Institute’s available study resources. At this stage, you’ll be aware of the Learning Hub and your textbooks. But other resources may also prove very useful as we enter the final weeks of study.  The Competency Statement is a list of every topic examinable in a subject, and the level expected of the candidate. It’s effectively your table of contents for each subject, so make it the first thing you look at to start your plan.  You can regularly return to the Competency Statement to cross off completed tasks and highlight areas of weakness.  Similarly, you’ll want to work through all the sample papers, which are produced by the Exam team and contain exam-standard questions. Solutions are also provided. You can get the sample papers and the solutions on the Institute's website.  Your mock exam paper is effectively another sample paper for you to attempt, with exam-standard questions.  Don’t forget the Professional Examination Committee (PEC) reports, where the examiners gave feedback last year, highlighting where students made common mistakes. All exam students should reference the PEC Report and the corresponding Final Admitting Examination Committee Report for FAE students.  Managing your time When preparing for any exam, you’ll know that time is your most important resource – use it wisely. You’ll need to be organised and efficient, so before starting any revision, your first task should be to draw up a study plan to cover the final month before the exams. This plan will be crucial in organising your time and ensuring that you focus on areas of challenge.  Allocate your first day of study to compose your plan – a skill you’ll use throughout your Chartered Accountancy studies.  Your plan will list all the subjects you must study and allocate specific time slots for each.  With your study plan in place, you’ll feel organised, a little less stressed and you’ll hold yourself more accountable.  With this plan in place, if you miss a study session, you’ll know specifically what you need to go over later. Study times So, how long should each study session last? Best practice suggests that, after 40 minutes, our brain becomes less effective in taking in knowledge. Aim for slots no longer than 25 minutes, followed by a five-minute break to grab some fresh air or make a cup of tea.  Instead of setting a goal of studying for a minimum duration, try the opposite and set a maximum time limit, something that we all find much more motivating and energising.  If you’re really fighting against procrastination, try the two-minute rule, where you commit to working for just two minutes and then take a break. Often, starting is the hardest part, but once you begin, you’ll be more likely to continue. After four sessions, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. Use your breaks to relax, stretch or have a snack.  To stay focused, avoid picking up your phone during each break as scrolling can extend beyond the intended downtime. Your plan will give you clear and achievable goals for each study session, and can help to keep you motivated and focused.  Keep an eye on your progress as each week ends, and celebrate each achievement to keep you motivated and on track. Use active learning techniques At this stage, you’ll probably want to move away from reading over slides and watching videos on the Learning Hub.  Instead, as we approach exam time, it’s time to get active with our learning.  Active learning techniques involve ‘doing’ rather than more passively reading or listening. Studies show that people remember 10 percent of what they hear and 20 percent of what they read, but about 80 percent of what they perform. When you attempt questions during a study session, it helps improve your understanding and retention of information.  One example of active learning could be starting each session with a blank piece of paper and writing down everything you can remember, unprompted, on a topic. Try the same exercise at the end of the session to get a benchmark of how effective your session has been.  You should also attempt to answer questions in every session in the Learning Hub, then review the answers. Don’t be discouraged if you end up getting some questions wrong – making mistakes in practice is a great way to learn.  By following these study tips and staying committed to your preparation, you can approach your exams with confidence and achieve exam success. 

Alisha Mullins, CASSI PRO, highlights how your student society can help you build a successful career long after you qualify Embarking on a training contract with Chartered Accountants Ireland is a pivotal milestone in your accounting journey. But your training contract is more than just a route to qualification — it’s a launchpad for your long-term career success.  To make the most of this opportunity, you need more than technical knowledge. You need commercial awareness, a strong network and the right support system. That’s where the Chartered Accountants Student Society of Ireland (CASSI) comes in. CASSI offers every trainee a place to connect, grow and thrive. By getting involved, you’ll meet a vibrant community of peers who are navigating the same challenges and milestones.  One of the standout highlights each year is the CASSI Weekend Away, which take place in October. This event provides a fun and relaxed space to build lasting connections.  Throughout the year, regional committees host a range of events designed to help you stay connected and supported. Upcoming events include the Chartered Accountants Students Society Ulster (CASSU) Park Run and Coffee Morning on 10 May in Ormeau Park at 9.30am, and the always-popular CASSU Ball on 30 May at Ten Square Hotel at 6.30pm.  Chartered Accountant Student Society Dublin is hosting a Sauna and Lunch event at Helios Dundrum on 17 May at 1pm — an ideal way to recharge and connect with fellow students in a more relaxed setting.  Looking ahead to November, the Women in Business event offers a chance to hear directly from professionals who’ve walked the same path and built meaningful and rewarding careers. Beyond events, CASSI actively supports your professional development through tailored workshops delivered in collaboration with Barden, and well-being initiatives run alongside Thrive.  These resources are designed to help you navigate the pressures of exams, heavy workloads and career planning.  When things feel overwhelming or uncertain, don’t hesitate to turn to your CASSI community — there is always someone who is ready to offer advice and support. While you’re on the job, take every chance to understand the business behind the numbers. Learn how your work supports your firm’s bottom line, seek feedback often and aim to work with a variety of clients. The more commercially aware you become, the more impact and value you’ll deliver. By combining initiative and curiosity at work with the unique opportunities CASSI provides, you’ll not only qualify, but stand out, thrive and build a career that lasts.

The purpose of National Workplace Wellbeing Day is to raise awareness of the importance of wellbeing in the workplace at a national level, to educate all stakeholders and help employers evolve and excel in their wellbeing strategies. But what is workplace wellbeing?  Generally speaking, it means promoting wellbeing at work and empowering staff with the knowledge and tools to be proactive in boosting and protecting their own wellbeing. Corporate wellbeing programmes are becoming more and more popular. Once seen as an added perk for employees, they are now becoming an integral part of the business agenda. However, research from University College Cork (UCC) and Munster Technological University (MTU) found that while 76% of the employers said they see employee mental health and wellbeing as their responsibility, a whopping 80% are not investing in workplace mental health. No matter where employees are situated, how small or large a firm it is, it’s important to foster a culture of good wellbeing to positively influence both employees and the company. Fostering a culture that places importance on employees' mental health and wellbeing can help prevent work induced stress and create a positive and healthy work environment where employees and the company can thrive. On average, we spend a third of our adult life at work. That is a significant amount of time and how we feel about work has a big impact on our day, life, home, and on our general happiness. Another study carried out by HR Buddy found that 9 in 10 workers feel their work negatively impacts their mental health and wellbeing.  Mental health related illnesses are one of the most common reasons for long-term absence, and it is estimated 1 in 5 employees have missed work due to stress, anxiety or depression.  Employee stress and ill mental health can directly impact levels of absenteeism, presenteeism and reduced performance - all at a high cost for employers and adversely affects business performance. As a result, implementing wellbeing initiatives and strategies should be seen as a key business driver. Businesses have a duty of care to employees both physically and psychologically and employers hold a responsibility for the wellbeing of their staff. There is a wealth of evidence that points to a positive correlation between workplace wellbeing and improved business KPI’s. Fostering a culture of good wellbeing not only produces a happier workforce but the benefits to the company are just as happy: Improvement in staff productivity and engagement Can help with staff retention Increase in employee morale Reduction in absenteeism Stronger employer brand and reputation A resilient workforce Increased profits A global wellbeing survey by Aon points to these positive outcomes. The survey showed that companies that improve employee wellbeing by 4% see a 1% increase in company profits and a 1% decrease in employee turnover. In recent times, our collective interest in health and wellbeing has expanded and the role and value of workplace wellbeing is recognised more than ever. The new era in our working lives has proven how fundamental employee wellbeing is to company resilience and creating a healthy workplace is something employers are becoming much more aware of. National Workplace Wellbeing Day is a great starting point and opportunity for organisations looking to promote the wellbeing of employees.   Evidence suggests there is a holistic and cyclical effect of promoting wellbeing in the workplace both for employers and employees. Therefore, companies should take the steps to support employees and demonstrate their commitment to promoting positive mental health. Like most workplace initiatives in order for it to be successful, leadership buy-in is essential. This obstacle has been cited as one of the biggest barriers to implementing workplace wellbeing strategies. By linking employee wellbeing with success metrics, increased business performance and clearly demonstrating how it will positively impact all aspects of the business is a sure way to ensure clear, consistent and visible support from the top down.   There is a plethora of ways of how a culture of workplace wellbeing can be embedded into an organisation through internal policies and offerings. The most popular strategy is an employee assistance programme, however there is a wealth of additional supports employers can put in place. For example, some organisations run employee wellbeing events such as mindfulness or exercise classes, a no meetings Fridays’ policy, provide mental health training for managers and employees to identify signs of mental stress, offer flexible working arrangements, promote a culture that fosters a healthy work-life balance, and raise awareness of mental health challenges within the workplace. If you would like more advice or assistance on wellbeing whether an employee or an employer, the Thrive Wellbeing Hub provides counselling, wellbeing coaching, information, advice and lots more to all members of the Institute.  You can contact the Thrive wellbeing team by email at: thrive@charteredaccountants.ie or by phone: (+353) 86 0243294.

In Irish news, the Economic and Social Research Institute has published an economic overview of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and the extended ROS pay and file deadline for the 2024 tax year has been announced.  In UK news, HMRC has published updated guidance on several major legislative changes effective from 6 April 2025 and we bring you a range of updates for employers. In International news this week, Members of the European Parliament discuss the role of tax policy for the green transition. Ireland 1. A high-level comparison of the economies of Ireland and Northern Ireland (NI) over recent years is outlined in a recent report published by the Economic and Social Research Institute. 2. Revenue has confirmed Wednesday 19 November 2025 as the ROS 2024 return extended filing and payment date for certain self-assessment taxpayers. UK 3. Read a range of updates from HMRC which are relevant for employers. 4. In this week’s miscellaneous updates, HMRC has published updated guidance on several major legislative changes which took effect from 6 April 2025. International 5. The European Parliament’s tax matters subcommittee hosted a public meeting on the role tax policy can play in achieving the green transition while maintaining competitiveness. Keep up to date with all the latest Irish, UK, and international tax developments through Chartered Accountants Ireland’s Tax Newsletter. Subscribe to the Tax News by updating your preferences in MyAccount. You can also read this week’s EU exit corner here.  

Over 150 of Northern Ireland’s leading Chartered Accountants and their partners will travel to Berlin this week for a major international conference focused on the theme ‘Leading Through Change’. Organised by Chartered Accountants Ulster Society in partnership with Danske Bank, the Berlin Conference will run from 1st to 4th May 2025, providing a unique platform to explore the leadership challenges and opportunities presented by changes in culture, a volatile economy, and unpredictable geopolitics. The conference will shine a spotlight on the crucial trading links between Northern Ireland and Germany — Northern Ireland’s second-largest export market— with strong growth in sectors including pharmaceuticals, electronics and manufacturing, fintech, and artificial intelligence. Speakers at the Conference will include: Ambassador Maeve Collins, Ireland’s Ambassador to Germany, former Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU and senior official in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Judy Dempsey, senior fellow at Carnegie Europe and respected journalist on European affairs. Dr. Alexander Boersch, Chief Economist at Deloitte Germany. John-Paul Coleman, Head of Treasury & Markets, Danske Bank. Geoff Sharpe, Head of Corporate Banking, Danske Bank. John Lynam, Deputy Head of Mission at the Irish Embassy in Berlin. Jens Schmidt, CFO of VertiGIS Ltd and finance leader in Germany’s tech sector. Brian O’Farrell, founder of Berlin-based recruitment agency O’Farrell Recruitment. Joanna Chung, Strategic Finance Manager based in Berlin with deep international finance experience. Kate Ferguson, economics and geopolitics reporter at Deutsche Welle. Gillian Sadlier, Chairperson of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society, said: “This year’s theme, ‘Leading Through Change’, reflects the challenges business leaders face today in an increasingly volatile world. From the evolution of workplace culture to the shifting geopolitical landscape, our members are navigating significant change. This conference will provide a timely forum to share insights and explore how strong leadership can help businesses adapt and succeed.” “Berlin is a fitting location. Germany continues to be one of Northern Ireland’s most important trading partners. This conference not only offers insights from global thought leaders, but also strengthens economic ties between our two regions.” Peter Houston, Head of North Business Centre at Danske Bank, said: “Danske Bank is proud to once again support this prestigious conference. The accountancy profession plays a vital role in Northern Ireland’s economic progress, and we value our long-standing partnership with the Ulster Society. As a bank, we are committed to helping our customers grow and compete internationally – especially in key markets like Germany.” The conference marks the continuation of a partnership between Chartered Accountants Ulster Society and Danske Bank that has spanned over two decades, with past conferences held in cities such as New York, Toronto, Munich, Lisbon, Madrid and Chicago.

On 28 April the Ulster Society hosted a webinar focused on the legal and tax considerations around business succession planning featuring Mark Thompson, A&L Goodbody; and Gemma Johnson, Grant Thornton. In this webinar our expert speakers covered the latest trends, best practices and strategies related to this critical area. They also discussed the new challenges that family-owned businesses face when it comes to succession planning following the budget. A recording of this webinar is available to view, for free and on demand, HERE A copy of Mark Thompson's slides are available to view HERE A copy of Gemma Johnson's slides are available to view HERE

Many of us will be planning some all-important time off in the coming months. However, with the lines between work and home now blurred, it can be difficult to switch off completely and enjoy a few days of well-deserved rest. Switching off and taking some time out for relaxation is important for our health and wellbeing so we can recuperate and step back from the day-to-day responsibilities that preoccupy our mind. If you are struggling to switch off, here are some simple and easy ways you can learn to relax, reset and appreciate a rest period guilt-free. Benefits of Downtime Downtime is an opportunity to take a proper break away from the stressors and pressures we experience, if you are still struggling to switch off think of the benefits some R&R will bring. Switching off is essential for your personal wellbeing and can prevent burnout. It will leave you happier, rejuvenated, and revitalised, ready to hit the ground running on your return. Time out can even make us more productive and more focused. One American study found that employees are 40% more productive after time off. Out of Office Before heading off, delegate some of your usual duties and tasks to work colleagues. This might require a 1:1 handover or a quick email to the team. Mentally, a status update to colleagues can give a sense of closing out and a feeling of peace that your work is being looked after while away. Set up an appropriate Out of Office message with clear boundaries for your time off. We have all seen the generic OOO emails but sharing a meaningful piece of information, such as where you are going or how you will be spending your time off, can make that automatic reply feel more personable and a conversation starter for when you speak to that person next. Colleagues might even be inclined not to send you an email until you are back at your desk. Establish a point of contact that can field queries and respond to emails in your absence. Some email providers even offer an option to automatically forward emails to others. Literally Switch off and Unplug In this always-on culture, we carry the office around with us and many of us will have work on our phones. While removing it completely might not be possible, consider turning off push notifications for your apps and free yourself from distractions. With pings from teams, emails and other communications, there can be an urge to check on them as soon as they come in eating into your time off and delaying relaxation mode. If you have a designated work phone, turn it off and put it away or if that feels too much, simply turn on the do-not-disturb setting and set aside a few minutes at the start or end of the day to briefly browse through it. Our home space has turned into our workplace. If your work/study station is in a main part the house, if possible, hide away all related equipment for a few days.  The visual reminder of your to do list can make it difficult to completely relax and unwind. Live in the Moment Be present and make the most of your rest days - guilt free! Plan some activities you enjoy, this can help distract you from thinking about the responsibilities you may need time away from. It can also help keep those stress levels down. Before you know it, you will be back at it, so enjoy and appreciate the time you have off. If you are struggling to maintain good wellbeing, Thrive provides a holistic selection of services that can help you get back on track. For more on our services, visit our how we help page. 

The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire has become the 150th signatory to the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters (the Convention). This paves the way for Côte d’Ivoire to engage in a wide range of mutual assistance in tax matters and exchange of information with 149 other jurisdictions while guaranteeing extensive safeguards for the protection of taxpayers' rights.  

The European Parliament’s tax matters subcommittee, hosted a public hearing on the role tax policy can play in bringing about the economic green transition while also ensuring that the EU business remains competitive. The purpose of the hearing was to examine tax incentives for clean energy, aviation, and maritime transport, with a particular focus on the recommendations from the Draghi report. The meeting focused on the green transition and enhancing sustainability in key sectors.

The latest UK tax tidbits feature updated guidance in a range of areas: Double Taxation Treaty Passport Scheme register,  HMRC email updates, videos and webinars for tax agents and advisers,  Extra Statutory Concessions (VAT Notice 48),  Check how much tax you pay on dividends and interest from savings,  Work out your Capital Gains Tax adjustment for the 2024 to 2025 tax year,  Late registrations for employment related securities,  Check how to deal with an employment related securities penalty,  Check if you have to pay tax on your pension,  Appeals reviews and tribunals guidance,  Calculate interest and penalties for tax years ending 5 April 2005 to 5 April 2023,  Calculate tax, interest and penalties for the tax years ending 5 April 2010 to 5 April 2023,  Named tax avoidance schemes, promoters, enablers and suppliers,  Our governance,  Check genuine HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method,  Apply for a refund of the higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax,  What will happen if you do not pay your tax bill,  Claim tax relief on your private pension payments,  Additional information you must submit before you claim for Research and Development tax relief,  Research and Development (R&D) Tax Relief: Enhanced R&D intensive support for loss-making SMEs based in Northern Ireland,  Research and Development tax relief: the merged scheme and enhanced intensive support,  Let Property Campaign: your guide to making a disclosure,  Employment Allowance: further guidance for employers,  Rates and thresholds for employers 2025 to 2026,  Inheritance Tax account (IHT400),  Check genuine HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method,  Check if you need to tell HMRC about your rental income,   Help with common risks in transfer pricing approaches — GfC7,  Penalties for a failure to correct certain offshore tax non-compliance, and  Details of deliberate tax defaulters. 

In this week’s post EU exit corner, we bring you the latest guidance updates and publications relevant in the post EU exit environment. The most recent Trader Support Service bulletin is also available as is the latest Brexit and Beyond newsletter from the Northern Ireland Assembly EU Affairs team. HMRC has also sent several reminders that the 1 May 2025 deadline for changes in how goods are moved by parcel and freight from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI) is in just a few days.  1 May 2025 parcels and freight deadline is approaching  HMRC has issued a range of reminders about the revised 1 May 2025 deadline for changes in how parcels and freight move from GB to NI. Read HMRC’s reminder emails as follows:  Traders moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, and  If your business moves goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.  Miscellaneous guidance updates and publications  Additional Information (AI) Statement Codes for Data Element 2/2 of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS),  CDS Declaration Completion Instructions for Imports,  Data Element 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes (Union) of the Customs Declaration Service,  Customs Importer and Exporter Population,  Customs UK Importer and Exporter Population: data tables 2024,  Top-up your Customs Declaration Service duty deferment account,  Amend or cancel a Customs Declaration Service import declaration,  Search the register of customs agents and express operators,  NCTS: software developers, and  Declare commercial goods you’re bringing into Great Britain in your accompanied baggage or a small vehicle.   

In this week’s miscellaneous updates, HMRC has published a range of updated guidance for key legislative changes which took effect from 6 April 2025 and draft legislation on the carbon border adjustment mechanism has been published for consultation. HMRC has issued a press release highlighting that Making Tax Digital for income tax commences next year and in another press release to mark the 20th anniversary of HMRC, HMRC looks to the future and says it is “harnessing the spirit of then Chancellor Gordon Brown’s bold reforms and embarking on a new era of transformation”. An update has been published on the consultation on predevelopment costs and the latest schedule of HMRC Talking Points live and recorded webinars for tax agents are available for booking. Spaces are limited, so take a look now and save your place. And finally, check HMRC’s online services availability page for details of planned downtime and the online services affected.   Updated guidance published on key legislative changes   Globally mobile employees The new Foreign Income and Gains regime commenced from 6 April 2025. HMRC has therefore published a collection of new guidance on 'Globally mobile employees' for employers. This includes guidance on the impact of residence on an employee’s liability to UK income tax, the newly reformed overseas workday relief, and the operation of PAYE for the new rules in place from 6 April 2025.   HMRC has also published guidance on how to send a notification to HMRC on running PAYE on a proportion of globally mobile employee’s income related to their UK duties. This addresses the new Section 690 Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 direction process.   HMRC has also updated the relevant sections of their manuals with more detailed guidance as follows: new pages in the PAYE manual to cover the new globally mobile employee PAYE notification process,   a new section in the Employment Income manual for Overseas Workday Relief, and   updated pages on travelling expenses for non-resident and qualifying new resident employees working in the UK.  In September 2024, the Institute established a new working sub-group of the NI Tax Committee and Tax Committee South which is examining the complexity of cross-border and remote/hybrid working on the island of Ireland with a view to discussing the complexities of this with both the UK and Irish Government to identify improvements for employers and employees impacted. New Inheritance Tax (IHT) residence based regime  From 6 April 2025, the UK’s IHT territoriality rules changed from a domicile to residence-based regime. Broadly, and subject to transitional provisions, individuals who have been UK tax resident for at least 10 out of the previous 20 tax years are now considered ‘long-term UK resident’ and are therefore subject to IHT on their worldwide assets. There are specific provisions relating to trusts.   HMRC has now published guidance, and changes to its IHT manual which includes a new section on the rules for long-term UK residents.  Abolition of non-domiciled regime  The non-UK domiciled ‘remittance’ regime was abolished from 6 April 2025 and the new Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime was introduced. As a result, UK tax resident individuals now pay tax on worldwide income and gains on an arising basis irrespective of their domicile. This is subject to the four-year FIG regime which is available to individuals within their first four years of UK tax residence, after a period of at least 10 consecutive years of non-residence. These changes are also accompanied by a series of transitional rules which include the three-year Temporary Repatriation Facility for those previously taxed on the remittance basis.   HMRC has now published guidance to support these changes as follows:  a new Residence and FIG regime manual, and   updated pages in the Trusts, Settlements and Estates Manual, and   International Manual.   Further HMRC guidance and manual updates are expected to be published in due course.  Update on consultation on predevelopment costs  In the 2024 Autumn Budget, the Government committed to launching a consultation in early 2025 to explore the tax treatment of predevelopment costs. Earlier this month, HM Treasury published an update on this which referred to the recent Court of Appeal judgment in Orsted West of Duddon Sands (UK) Ltd v HMRC .   According to HM Treasury, as this case considered “matters with significant readout across to this issue” the publication of this consultation has therefore been postponed. The Government will determine its next steps in respect to this consultation in due course.   In the meantime, views from stakeholders on this judgment and its implications are invited by email to predevcosts@hmtreasury.gov.uk.