Celebrating 20 years of ADIT

Back in the halcyon days of 2004, a number of major events of global significance took place, the consequences of which are still being felt. Ten new countries joined the European Union. A new website, then known as TheFacebook, was launched from a Harvard dormitory. Shrek 2 was released to worldwide acclaim. And, most importantly of all, 40 international tax students and professionals sat the first ever exams for the CIOT’s new ADIT (Advanced Diploma in International Taxation) qualification!

With this year marking two decades since the first ADIT exam sitting, we’re celebrating the positive impact that our flagship international qualification has had on the global tax profession, the ever increasing recognition afforded to ADIT by employers, and most importantly the incredible achievements of a growing community of ADIT students and holders, now almost 6,000 strong, in 120 countries across the world. Take a look at the ADIT highlights in the timeline to the right.

Since the ADIT qualification was launched, the number of students sitting exams has multiplied to more than 1,000 each year. Meanwhile, the range of available exam modules has increased from just four in 2004 to 17 today, with the most popular modules now examined twice each year. And with both the exams themselves and a wide range of accompanying tuition courses now delivered online, ADIT learning has become ever more accessible to students from a wide range of countries and backgrounds, many of whom balance their studies with full-time tax work.

In leading the Education Team at the CIOT and ATT, I’m keenly aware of the level of dedication that goes into delivering and developing the ADIT qualification as we continue to serve our student community and strive to maintain ADIT’s place at the forefront of international tax learning. Of particular note has been the number of former ADIT students who go on to play a major role in shaping the future of the qualification – whether it’s by serving on the committees that help to govern ADIT policies and supervise the technical content of the syllabus, the Examining teams that deliver and assess each exam, or the many course providers whose dedicated tuition programmes help to prepare our diverse students to achieve success in the exams.

Recent years have also seen our appointment of dedicated ADIT Champions to help serve and lead the growing populations of tax professionals who are currently pursuing, or have achieved, ADIT certification in specific countries and regions of the world.

The Champions all hold the qualification themselves, so they can talk with authority about how to navigate the exams and the benefits of ADIT learning to a career in international tax. But it’s not just an ambassadorial role, and our Champions play a central part in delivering a wide range of services, including technical webinars and friendly networking events, that add genuine value to the ADIT product – guiding students on how the concepts within the ADIT modules apply to contemporary, real-world tax issues; providing additional post-qualification content to our International Tax Affiliates; and helping international tax professionals at all stages of the ADIT journey to connect and network with their peers.

As ADIT heads into its third decade, we are considering how this widely recognised and respected international tax qualification will evolve to serve the future needs of stakeholders around the world. International tax moves at a fast pace, as a multitude of developments have shown during ADIT’s lifetime to date – from the emergence and maturation of the digital global economy and resulting initiatives such as the BEPS Pillars, to the green transition and trend toward climate-friendly tax policies by countries and regional blocs alike.

One thing’s for sure – ADIT will continue to help international tax professionals, their employers and their clients to boost their expertise and achieve their goals.