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ATOL reporting accountants scheme

Improving the standard and accuracy of ATOL reporting

  • Update February 2020 - New Requirements for ATOL Reporting Accountants - Appendix A published as an appendix to ORS3.

    The ATOL Reporting Accountants' scheme has been developed by the CAA in order to help improve the standard of ATOL reporting and to provide assurance that financial information which is submitted on behalf of ATOL holders is accurate. The scheme is designed to ensure that designated accountants of participating bodies are sufficiently knowledgeable about both the industry and specific requirements of ATOL to provide the required assurance needed by the CAA.

    The scheme will ensure that the professional accountancy bodies provide the appropriate level of continuing professional development (CPD) in order to best equip their members to successfully undertake ATOL work. It also means that professional accountancy bodies will have in place a more professional regime that focuses on the demonstration of competence, helping to reduce overall risks in the market of reporting false or inaccurate financial information by ATOL holders.

    An online ATOL training course has been provided as part of the overall continuing professional development to become an ATOL Reporting Accountant. To register to do this training please email us at CAA.ARAscheme@caa.co.uk with the following details:

    • Name
    • Individual Professional Accountancy Body
    • Member Registration Number

    Appendix A - Requirements for ATOL Reporting Accountants, is published in Official Record Series 3, as well as the Annual Accountants' Report, which is required to be completed as a term of holding an ATOL.

    An Airline Ticket Agent Report must be completed if requested by the CAA

    Escrow Accounts

    In the recent ATOL reform consultation issued by the CAA, one of the options being considered, is the use of Escrow accounts for ATOL holders, for the separation of customer monies in consideration of financial security.

    There are currently a few escrow accounts in operation with ATOL holders, however, until such time as the CAA has agreed a structured work programme with the CAA approved professional accountancy bodies, there is no requirement to provide an Accountant’s Report in support of an escrow account.

    Updating the Professional Accountancy Body

    It is the responsibility of the ATOL Reporting Accountant and their firm to ensure that the applicable Professional Accountancy Body is provided with the correct and up to date requested information for the firm and individual designated ATOL Reporting Accountant.

    This includes providing an update if the firm name is changed, as well as address, contact details, etc. It is likely that evidence will be required for a firm name change, e.g., a copy of the registration document. The ATOL Reporting Accountant’s name and firm name will be prepopulated in the ATOL report. 

    List of ATOL Reporting Accountants

    A list of ATOL Reporting Accountants can be found below, we will add more designated ATOL Reporting Accountants to the list as we receive them from the Professional Accountancy Bodies’.

    ATOL Reporting Accountants

    List of CAA approved Professional Accountancy Bodies

    AAT – Association of Accounting Technicians
    ACCA – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
    AIA - Association of International Accountants
    ICAEW – Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
    ICAI – Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland
    ICAS – Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland
    IFA - Institute of Financial Accountants

    Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the ATOL Reporting Accountants Scheme?

    The ARA Scheme has been set up by the CAA and the professional accountancy bodies under agreement to ensure competent ATOL Reporting.  Accountants will need to be a designated ARA to provide ATOL reporting in future.

    When do ATOL reports need to be provided by an ATOL Reporting Accountant?

    All ATOL reporting needs to be signed by an ARA.

    How do I know which professional accountancy bodies are included in the ARA Scheme?

    Only professional accountancy bodies which have signed the agreement with the CAA will be able to designate their members to become an ARA. Seven professional accountancy bodies have signed the agreement, AAT, ACCA, AIA, ICAEW, ICAI, ICAS AND IFA.

    Does an ARA need to perform the audit of the financial statements?

    No, the registered auditor does not need to be the ATOL Reporting Accountant. However, it is possible that they may be the same person. Therefore, an ATOL holder can proceed with their current audit arrangements for their financial statements. 

    How does an accountant become a designated ARA?

    Accountants will need to apply direct to their professional accountancy body to become an ARA. 

    Therefore, an ATOL holder will need to encourage their accountant to speak to their professional accountancy body direct. The CAA is providing training through an online ATOL training module to assist that process. The only mandatory requirement for an accountant from the CAA is the completion of the online ATOL training module and the accountant will also need to satisfy all the other requirements of the relevant professional accountancy body.

    How does an accountant apply to do the online ATOL training module?

    Your accountant will need to apply using the following email address CAA.ARAScheme@caa.co.uk, providing the following information:

    First name, Surname, Professional Accountancy Body, Registration number with Professional Accountancy Body. They will then receive the login details to do the training for an 'ATOL Reporting Accountant'.

    Does the accountant need to complete the ATOL training module and obtain a certificate before being designated an ARA?

    Yes, once the module has been completed the accountant can print the certificate direct online to provide to their professional accountancy body. The CAA will also provide all results of the training to the relevant professional accountancy bodies direct.

    How does the ATOL holder know if an accountant is a designated ARA?

    Each professional accountancy body signed up to the ARA Scheme has provided the CAA with a listing of their designated members. The ATOL Reporting Accountants list is regularly updated.

    Are there any exemptions available for accountants on completing the ATOL training module?

    No, all accountants applying to become an ARA will need to complete the ATOL training module.

  • Privacy Notices

  • ARA scheme - ATOL Renewals

    The UK CAA's Consumers and Markets Group collects and stores your name, address, telephone, email, firm details and Professional Accountancy Body (PAB) membership information for the purpose of your designation as an ATOL Reporting Accountant (ARA) and for processing ATOL renewal applications which you are associated with; AAR Part 1, AAR Part 2 and Airline Ticket Agent reports, where applicable.

    Why we process your personal information

    The processing of your personal information is necessary for the performance of a task we carry out in the public interest or official authority vested in us in accordance with UK/EU law.

    Who sees your personal information and why

    We need to share your personal data with internal CAA staff for the purpose of processing ATOL renewal applications.

    We may also share your personal data with the applicable PAB based in the UK, who also act as data controllers/processors for the purpose of sharing information related to their members and for updating their current members status for the Designated ARA register held by the CAA. The PABs are: ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians), AIA (Association of International Accountants), IFA (Institute of Financial Accountants), ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland), ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland) and ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales).

    ACCA, AIA and ICAEW have additional offices outside of the EU, but your personal information will not be transferred outside the EU.

    How long we keep your personal information and why

    We will delete all personal information associated with an individual ATOL holder, a maximum of 10 years after expiry of an ATOL, refusal to grant an ATOL or a revocation of an ATOL. The data is held for industry intelligence and policy work purposes. We will also delete all personal information associated with the ARA register 5 years after you have ceased to be an ARA designate. The data is held for this period to provide a fuller historical picture in the context of the decision set out above.

    Your individual rights

    You may submit an information enquiry or make a complaint about how we have processed your personal information by emailing FOI.requests@caa.co.uk. Please be aware that the CAA is subject to the Freedom of Information Act, which means we may need to release information you have supplied to us. However, we would never disclose your personal information without first obtaining your consent.

    You have further rights as a data subject, which can be found here. Contact details of the CAA's Data Protection Officer can be found here. You have a right to complain to the ICO about the CAA's processing of personal data. Access to our General privacy notice can be found here.

    This privacy notice is subject to change.

    ARA scheme - Designated ARAs

    The UK CAA's Consumers and Markets Group collects and stores your name, address, telephone, email, firm details and Professional Accountancy Body (PAB) membership information to verify your identity and update your current membership status in the CAA's ATOL Reporting Accountants (ARA) register.

    Why we process your personal information

    The processing of your personal information is necessary for the performance of a task we carry out in the public interest or official authority vested in us in accordance with UK/EU law.

    Who sees your personal information and why

    We need to share your personal data with the applicable PAB,: ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians), AIA (Association of International Accountants), IFA (Institute of Financial Accountants), ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland), ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland) and ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales), based in the UK, who also act as data controllers/processors, in order that they can verify your identity and membership status. The CAA requires that information to be accurate to ensure that only qualified ARAs report on ATOL holder's regulatory returns.

    ACCA, AIA and ICAEW have additional offices outside of the EU, but your personal information will not be transferred outside the EU.

    How long we keep your personal information and why

    We will delete all personal information associated with the ARA register 5 years after you have ceased to be an ARA designate. The data is held for this period to provide a fuller historical picture in the context of the decision set out above.

    Your individual rights

    You may submit an information enquiry or make a complaint about how we have processed your personal information by emailing FOI.requests@caa.co.uk. Please be aware that the CAA is subject to the Freedom of Information Act, which means we may need to release information you have supplied to us. However, we would never disclose your personal information without first obtaining your consent.

    You have further rights as a data subject, which can be found here. Contact details of the CAA's Data Protection Officer can be found here. You have a right to complain to the ICO about the CAA's processing of personal data. Access to our General privacy notice can be found here.

    This privacy notice is subject to change.