{"id":17868,"date":"2024-04-16T18:15:55","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T17:15:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=17868"},"modified":"2025-05-07T14:54:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T13:54:16","slug":"basis-period-reform-answers-accountants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/basis-period-reform-answers-accountants\/","title":{"rendered":"Basis period reform: Answers to 6 questions that accountants have about the changes"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/strategy-legal-operations\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Strategy, Legal &amp; Operations<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBasis period reform: Answers to 6 questions that accountants have about the changes\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2024-04-16T18:15:55+01:00\">16 April, 2024<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"Basis period reform: Answers to 6 questions that accountants have about the changes\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/basis-period-reform-answers-accountants\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/staceymcintosh\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2018\/11\/Stacey-McIntosh-350-1.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Stacey McIntosh<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Basis period reform marks a significant shift for you and how some of your clients pay their taxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we answer questions that you as an accountant and the team at your practice may have around the reform, who will be affected and what it means for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/mtd-for-income-tax-accountants-need-to-know\/\">Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s what we cover:<\/p>\n\n\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a href=\"#h-what-is-basis-period-reform\" data-level=\"2\">What is basis period reform?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-6-answers-to-questions-on-basis-period-reform\" data-level=\"2\">6 answers to questions on basis period reform<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#h-1-when-is-the-basis-period-reform-happening\" data-level=\"3\">1. When is the basis period reform happening?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-2-who-will-be-affected-by-the-basis-period-reform\" data-level=\"3\">2. Who will be affected by the basis period reform?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-3-how-does-basis-period-reform-relate-to-making-tax-digital\" data-level=\"3\">3. How does basis period reform relate to Making Tax Digital?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-4-how-will-transitional-profits-impact-payments-on-account\" data-level=\"3\">4. How will transitional profits impact payments on account?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-5-should-we-align-our-clients-vat-quarters-to-the-tax-year\" data-level=\"3\">5. Should we align our clients&rsquo; VAT quarters to the tax year?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-6-how-will-transitional-profits-impact-adjusted-net-income-for-the-purpose-of-things-such-as-the-high-income-child-benefit-charge\" data-level=\"3\">6. How will transitional profits impact adjusted net income for the purpose of things such as the High-Income Child Benefit Charge?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-final-thoughts-on-basis-period-reform\" data-level=\"2\">Final thoughts on basis period reform<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<a\n\t\tclass=\"button button--primary gate-7f0f23a6-003c-4d57-b02b-c315e540f936\"\n\t\trole=\"button\"\n\t\tdata-button-location=\"content_area\"\n\t\thref=\"#gate-7f0f23a6-003c-4d57-b02b-c315e540f936\"\n\t>Download your free e-book, Basis period reform frequently asked questions (FAQs), and learn how the changes will affect your practice and your clients<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-basis-period-reform\">What is basis period reform?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Basis period reform is a change in the UK tax system affecting how business income is allocated to tax years for income tax purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Traditionally, unincorporated businesses in the UK have been taxed (for income tax purposes) on profits earned in their \u201caccounting period\u201d that ends within the relevant tax year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, with basis period reform, this is set to change \u2013 with a goal of simplifying this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On 6 April 2024, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/basis-period-reform-making-tax-digital-accountants\/\">basis period<\/a> for taxation aligned with the tax year itself, rather than the accounting period. This means unincorporated businesses may need to adapt to a new way of calculating their taxable income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s an example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Say one of your clients is a sole trader with a 31 December year-end, for the tax year running from 6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With that in mind, their taxable profits will include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nine months from the accounting period ending in December 2024<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Three months from the period ending in December 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This shift is a significant departure from the current system and requires careful consideration and planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, in order to move from the current basis periods to having basis periods aligned to the tax year, we have to go through what\u2019s referred to as a \u2018transitional year\u2019 in the tax year running from 6 April 2023 to 5 April 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This transitional year ensures everything that falls in-between has been taxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<a\n\t\tclass=\"button button--primary gate-7f0f23a6-003c-4d57-b02b-c315e540f936\"\n\t\trole=\"button\"\n\t\tdata-button-location=\"content_area\"\n\t\thref=\"#gate-7f0f23a6-003c-4d57-b02b-c315e540f936\"\n\t>Download your free e-book, Basis period reform frequently asked questions (FAQs), and learn how the changes will affect your practice and your clients<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-answers-to-questions-on-basis-period-reform\">6 answers to questions on basis period reform<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may have lots of questions with regards to the basis period reform. In the section below, we answer some of these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-when-is-the-basis-period-reform-happening\">1. When is the basis period reform happening?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Basis period reform is effective from 6 April 2024 (2024\/25 tax year). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the transition period began in the 2023\/24 tax year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-who-will-be-affected-by-the-basis-period-reform\">2. Who will be affected by the basis period reform?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The basis period reform affects the following that have an accounting period that isn\u2019t aligned to the tax year i.e. an accounting period end date that isn\u2019t 5 April:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Self-employed individuals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Partners in partnerships<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other unincorporated businesses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those with an accounting period end date on or between 31 March to 4 April will be treated as having an aligned accounting period under the default late accounting date rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, taxpayers can choose to opt out of this if they wish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-how-does-basis-period-reform-relate-to-making-tax-digital\">3. How does basis period reform relate to Making Tax Digital?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Basis period reform is closely related to Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it comes into force from April 2026, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/mtd-itsa-accountants-prepare-sole-trader-clients\/\">MTD for ITSA<\/a> will require impacted businesses to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keep digital records of income and expenses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Submit summary data on those digital records quarterly using compatible software<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carry out a Final Declaration, which is akin to the current Self Assessment tax return done now.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By aligning basis periods with the tax year, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/basis-period-reform-making-tax-digital-accountants\/\">basis period<\/a> reform simplifies this process, making it easier for businesses to comply with MTD requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It also makes the estimated tax liability calculations far more accurate and therefore useful to the taxpayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-how-will-transitional-profits-impact-payments-on-account\">4. How will transitional profits impact payments on account?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Transitional profits might increase the income assessed in the transitional year, potentially raising the payments on account for the following year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the spreading relief over five years can help to mitigate this impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s also worth noting that the existing rules around making a claim to reduce payments on account remain the same under basis period reform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This may be worth exploring for those clients whose <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/what-is-payment-on-account\/\">payments on account<\/a> have been disproportionately impacted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-should-we-align-our-clients-vat-quarters-to-the-tax-year\">5. Should we align our clients\u2019 VAT quarters to the tax year?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aligning VAT quarters with the tax year isn\u2019t a requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, it could be beneficial for administrative convenience for some clients, especially those with a 31 March accounting period end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This alignment can simplify accounting processes and make it easier to reconcile VAT and income tax records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the decision should be based on the specific circumstances and needs of each client.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-how-will-transitional-profits-impact-adjusted-net-income-for-the-purpose-of-things-such-as-the-high-income-child-benefit-charge\">6. How will transitional profits impact adjusted net income for the purpose of things such as the High-Income Child Benefit Charge?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Business Income Manual 81320: \u201cThe transition profits are excluded from the net income amount to reduce the impact on benefits and allowances.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This would suggest that most benefits linked to income levels such as Child Benefit and therefore the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/spring-budget-2024-announcements-business\/#h-high-income-child-benefit-charge-threshold-change\">High-Income Child Benefit Charge<\/a> (HICBC) will be unaffected by transitional profits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But it\u2019s worth double-checking with HMRC on individual entitlements and obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-thoughts-on-basis-period-reform\">Final thoughts on basis period reform<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The basis period reform represents a shift in the way businesses in the UK will approach their tax affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s true that the reform change offers its own set of challenges, particularly in the transitional year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, it\u2019s worth noting that the reform potentially offers a more streamlined and transparent approach to taxation in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As your practice and your clients adapt to these changes, staying informed and proactive is crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Editor&#8217;s note: This article was first published in March 2024 and has been updated for relevance.<\/em><\/p>\n \n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Basis period reform frequently asked questions (FAQs)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Download your free e-book and learn how the basis period reform changes will affect your practice and your clients.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-7f0f23a6-003c-4d57-b02b-c315e540f936\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download your free e-book<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1215\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1483132604-1215x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Working on payroll tasks\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1483132604-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-b1a63862-3fa0-4a5e-bb67-c76b88bbc6b8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button 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class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/accountant-accounting\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAccountant accounting\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/accountant-tax\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAccountant tax\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/bookkeeping\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBookkeeping\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/need-to-know\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNeed to know\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-31958 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-technology-innovation tag-accountant-accounting tag-accountant-automation tag-ai tag-digital-transformation tag-grow-accounting-practice tag-workplace-technology business_type-accountants card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/08\/ai_image_accountants1-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Accountants using AI\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/08\/ai_image_accountants1-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/08\/ai_image_accountants1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/08\/ai_image_accountants1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div 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Here is how to build capability, protect junior development, and bring your team with you.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-31948 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-technology-innovation tag-accountant-accounting tag-ai tag-digital-transformation tag-grow-accounting-practice tag-workplace-technology business_type-accountants\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/ai-ethics-accountants-bookkeepers\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure 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\/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-08-13T14:00:00+01:00\">13 August, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">10 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tClient data and AI: A security guide for accountancy practices\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-31919 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-technology-innovation tag-accountant-accounting tag-ai 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bookkeepers\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn about basis period reform, what it means for your practice and your clients, and get answers to questions you may have about the changes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":346,"featured_media":16334,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_page_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_article_type":"","_sage_video":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"[]","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"[\"\"]","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"9","post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"_pwl_sage_podcast_buzzsprout_src":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[223,226,23,206],"business_type":[115],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[67],"imagine_tag":[220,222],"coauthors":[353],"class_list":["post-17868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-strategy-legal-operations","tag-accountant-accounting","tag-accountant-tax","tag-bookkeeping","tag-need-to-know","business_type-accountants"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"Stacey McIntosh","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1185859128.jpg","imagine_tags":{"220":"Accountant accounting","222":"Accountant tax"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice UK","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17868","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/346"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17868"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17868\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/16334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17868"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17868"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17868"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=17868"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=17868"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=17868"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=17868"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=17868"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=17868"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=17868"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}