US & UK tax specialists delivering CPD training and white-label services for accountants, EAs, CPAs & tax advisors worldwide.
US & UK tax specialists delivering CPD training and white-label services for accountants, EAs, CPAs & tax advisors worldwide.
UK professional bodies maintain stringent CPD standards that reflect the evolving complexity of international tax practice. ACCA requires 40 units annually, with at least 21 verifiable units, while ICAEW mandates role-dependent minimum hours with required verifiable components.
ICAEW members must complete at least 1 hour of ethics training annually, reflecting increased regulatory scrutiny on professional standards. For accounting specialists, ATT requires 45 hours of verifiable CPD out of 60 hours total over a three-year period, with at least 6 hours of ethics-related CPD per triennium starting from July 2024.
US professionals face equally demanding requirements. Enrolled Agents must complete 72 hours of continuing education (CE) every three years, with a minimum of 16 hours annually and mandatory 2 hours of ethics training per year.
The IRS’s emphasis on international tax compliance means that continuing education is increasingly focused on cross-border issues, treaty applications, and foreign reporting requirements. These standards ensure practitioners maintain competency in an area where errors can result in significant penalties and professional liability.
This is why we have designed IRS approved courses for US & UK tax preparers and tax professionals to meet your needs. We have designed online courses and bespoke training that are done via Zoom.
Recent evidence suggests that structured cross-border training results in measurable improvements in compliance accuracy and client service delivery. Training programs that integrate recent tax changes utilise case studies to ensure professionals can accurately explain the differences between tax systems, treaty benefits, and cross-border compliance scenarios.
Practitioners report enhanced ability to proactively plan client affairs and handle complex cross-border scenarios, with firms specialising in US-UK cross-border tax demonstrating successful outcomes, including proper navigation of voluntary disclosure programs, optimised estate plans, and correct filings for dual residents.
Professional development focusing on recent cross-border disputes and cases enables practitioners to differentiate the causes of disputes, compare jurisdictions, and assess the impact of court decisions on compliance practices. This approach yields more efficient dispute resolution and reduces the risk of non-compliance for clients.
The measurable improvements include higher accuracy in reporting offshore income, as supported by HMRC’s increased detection effectiveness through enhanced information exchange protocols, which directly correlates with upskilled staff’s ability to identify and declare cross-border income correctly.
Managing dual UK and US tax returns is one of the biggest compliance headaches for advisers. This course gives you the confidence and tools to handle HMRC Self-Assessment and IRS Form 1040 side by side, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency.
You’ll learn how to align mismatched tax years, reconcile GBP/USD currency differences, and apply both Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) and Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) correctly. Real-life examples cover mortgage interest relief, rental income, capital gains, and treaty relief claims so you can navigate complex cases with authority.
We also provide templates for client onboarding, checklists for documentation, and step-by-step workflows for both jurisdictions—saving you time while reducing risk.
By the end, you’ll be able to deliver dual filings with clarity, accuracy, and confidence, giving clients peace of mind and protecting your practice from errors or penalties.
Highlights:
🗓 Dual calendar vs fiscal year handling
🆚 Comparing UK-US reliefs (FTC, allowances, credits)
🧾 Filing forms: SA100, 1040, Schedules B, D, 1116, 2555, 8938
✔ Common errors and mitigation templates
📂 Client document request checklists for both systems
📉 Capital gains and foreign tax credit offsets explained
🏠 Rental property income treatment in UK vs US filings
⏳ Managing late filings with reasonable cause claims
Residency confusion is one of the top pain points for accountants handling cross-border clients. This course demystifies HMRC’s Statutory Residence Test (SRT), the US Substantial Presence Test, and the US–UK tax treaty’s tie-breaker rules.
We break down the sequence of tests—permanent home, vital interests, habitual abode, and nationality—and show you how to document positions defensibly with travel logs, memos, and checklists.
Case studies cover commuters, dual-filers, and mid-year movers so you can handle even the most complex residency questions with clarity and confidence.
By the end, you’ll have templates, trackers, and proven workflows to evidence residency decisions clearly and withstand tax authority scrutiny.
Highlights:
🗺 SRT rules and split-year clarity in the UK context
🤝 Treaty tie-breaker sequence demystified
🗒 Evidence packs: day-count logs, narrations, bi-border tracking tools
🛑 Common pitfalls: payroll overlaps, equity events, contradicting tax positions
🧭 Case studies: commuters, remote workers, dual filers
📝 Residency memo templates for client files
🏛 Aligning treaty analysis with OECD commentary
📜 HMRC RDR3 and IRS guidance references included
Many individuals earning US-source income—like dividends, royalties, or interest—end up paying unnecessary withholding tax simply because the W-8BEN form wasn’t filed correctly. This course gives accountants and advisers a step-by-step guide to preparing, submitting, and managing W-8BEN forms for individuals (and W-8BEN-E for entities) to claim reduced treaty rates under the US–UK tax treaty.
We’ll explain who needs the form, how long it remains valid, what supporting documents to prepare, and how to avoid common mistakes that trigger 30% default withholding. You’ll learn practical workflows for dividend-paying US shares, cross-border royalties, and interest payments, plus record-keeping requirements for both clients and brokers.
By the end, you’ll confidently help UK residents reduce withholding tax, stay compliant with IRS rules, and provide clear evidence trails in case of audits.
Highlights:
🧾 When UK clients need a W-8BEN for American-based income
📄 Step-by-step completion guide for individuals & entities
🤝 Linking W-8BEN filing to the US–UK treaty articles
🕒 Validity periods and renewal processes explained
🏦 Filing W-8BEN forms with US brokers, banks, and payers
📉 Avoiding 30% default withholding through proactive filing
🗂 Document retention requirements for IRS compliance
📊 Case studies: dividends, royalties, and interest scenarios
Many UK clients who sell US real estate are surprised by the FIRPTA withholding rules. This course explains when FIRPTA applies, how to file Forms 8288, 8288-A, and 8288-B, and how to claim refunds or reduced withholding certificates.
We also cover buyer vs seller obligations, escrow processes, and treaty relief claims so you can protect clients from excessive tax and cash flow issues.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to manage FIRPTA compliance and optimise client outcomes during US property sales.
Highlights:
🏠 FIRPTA withholding mechanics and timeline
📄 Forms 8288/8288-A/B—when and how to file
🧮 Cash-flow planning and escrow tricks
🔁 Treaty relief claims for double tax prevention
📝 Buyer vs seller responsibilities explained
🏛 Contract clauses for withholding tax management
🧾 Refund application timelines & supporting evidence templates
📈 Withholding reduction strategies under IRS rules
The rise of remote work creates complex cross-border residency questions. This course explains split-year treatment, residency elections, and treaty tie-breakers for digital nomads.
You’ll learn tracking tools, planning strategies, and case study examples to keep mobile clients compliant while minimising tax burdens.
Highlights:
🌍 Residency and treaty tools for mobile taxpayers
🧾 Tracking frameworks for inconsistent presence
🗓 How to manage split-year complexities
🆘 Quick solutions for unclear residency situations
📍 Day-counting apps and practical tech tools reviewed
🏖 Tax planning for temporary vs permanent moves
🧳 Visa status implications for tax residency
📚 FAQs for self-employed vs employed nomads
High-net-worth families need clear estate strategies across both jurisdictions. This course covers US estate/gift tax, UK inheritance tax, domicile planning, and treaty relief options.
We provide lifetime gifting strategies, trust planning tools, and filing guidance for dual-country estates.
Highlights:
🏛 Clear domicile vs residence analysis tools
⚰ Treaty relief interplay for estates and gifts
🏦 Trust structures tailored for dual-tax scenarios
🕊 Forms navigation with planning templates
📈 Lifetime gifting strategies under dual rules
📝 Domicile determination checklists for HMRC and IRS
💼 Coordination between executors & professional advisors
📆 Timeline mapping for estate reporting deadlines
Clients often ask whether to use a US LLC, UK Ltd, or hybrid structure. This course gives you clear answers with tax flow diagrams, comparison charts, and real-life case studies.
We cover profit repatriation, payroll, dividend taxation, and treaty impacts, so you can recommend structures with confidence.
Highlights:
🏢 Entity type comparison: LLC vs Ltd vs LLP
💱 Tax flow analysis for income, dividends, remittances
🔄 Hybrid model considerations for cross-border business
📈 Decision trees and client-ready visuals
📝 Checklist for US vs UK filing requirements
🏛 Treaty-based structuring opportunities highlighted
🧭 Real-world client case studies for clarity
📂 Filing templates for entity elections included
Training quality depends fundamentally on instructor expertise and current industry knowledge. Our CPD courses & programmes led by dual-qualified professionals provide authoritative guidance grounded in practical experience, combining US and UK tax system knowledge.
Simon Misiewicz, the course designer, holds verifiable credentials including US Enrolled Agent status, UK FCCA qualification, ATT membership, and MBA qualification. These combined qualifications enable a comprehensive understanding of both tax systems and their complex interactions.
Effective training bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application through current examples and case studies. These examples help practitioners understand not just what rules require, but how to apply them effectively in client situations while managing risk and optimising outcomes.
Interactive elements distinguish high-quality programmes from passive information delivery, with expert support ensuring practitioners receive guidance on complex issues while maintaining response quality and accuracy.
Live virtual training is particularly suited for immediate applicability and complex topics, especially when nuanced understanding or group discussion is required. Real-time interaction enables immediate feedback, peer learning, and collaborative problem-solving valuable for complex international tax scenarios.
The format accommodates different time zones and professional commitments while maintaining the benefits of real-time engagement, although some practitioners may find virtual interaction less engaging than face-to-face sessions.
Self-paced eLearning offers flexible access to essential knowledge through interactive modules that cover core issues, including treaty applications, compliance requirements, and corporate tax structures. Mobile-optimised content enables just-in-time access to information when working with clients.
While convenient and flexible, self-paced learning requires strong self-discipline and may not suit all learning styles, particularly for practitioners who benefit from instructor interaction and peer discussion.
Blended learning combines synchronous and asynchronous elements to maximise learning outcomes, allowing professionals to benefit from instructor interaction while maintaining essential flexibility. This approach proves particularly effective for complex topics requiring both foundational knowledge and practical application.
The combination enables absorption of core concepts through self-paced modules, followed by application and discussion during live sessions with instructors and peers.
Comprehensive platforms provide ongoing support that extends beyond initial programme completion, including expert guidance on complex issues, regular content updates, and access to emerging regulatory developments.
Professional recognition through multiple accrediting bodies ensures programmes meet rigorous quality standards while fulfilling diverse regulatory requirements across US and UK professional bodies.
The integrated approach serves both individual practitioners seeking comprehensive international expertise and firms requiring consistent team development in cross-border matters, providing scalable solutions accommodating different practice sizes and service offerings.
Taught by Simon Misiewicz, a dual-qualified Enrolled Agent (IRS), FCCA Chartered Accountant, and ATT UK Tax Adviser with over 20 years of cross-border experience, this course draws on real-life case studies from Optimise Accountants, CPD training events.
This combination of practical experience, academic research, and proven learning design ensures every course in the catalogue is CPD-ready, highly practical, and built to give accountants and tax advisers the skills, confidence, and authority to handle real-world client cases immediately.
What makes these courses stand out is their foundation on evidence-based methods proven to enhance learning for professionals:
📚 Case-based learning improves problem-solving and knowledge retention in financial education (Case-based learning research, PMC, 2024).
🧠 Worked examples reduce cognitive load and accelerate skill acquisition in technical subjects (Worked-example effect, Wikipedia).
🎓 Instructor-led training (ILT) remains the gold standard for professional development, with higher engagement and pass rates than self-study models (Instructor-led training, Wikipedia).
📝 Scenario-based assessments improve knowledge transfer in financial and compliance education (Anderson et al., Journal of Accounting Education, 2023).
