Zyla Accountants’ Suzy Kerton Achieves Industry-Leading Certification in R&D Tax Relief

Suzy Kerton, Director at Zyla Accountants, has been awarded the industry’s first Certification in R&D Tax Relief by The R&D Community, a landmark achievement in what has long been a poorly understood and inconsistently practised area of tax advisory.

After over two decades of the UK’s R&D tax relief scheme, this is the first professional certification specifically tailored to R&D tax relief, an area that many accountants and advisors have found both complex and underserved by traditional tax qualifications.

For Suzy, the certification and joining the membership directory represents a significant milestone in her commitment to delivering high-quality, ethical R&D tax relief services to clients across the UK.

“I’m thrilled to have achieved this certification,” said Suzy. “The training is rigorous, practical, and focused on real-world challenges we face in R&D tax relief. It’s raised the bar for how we serve our clients and has given me confidence that we’re aligned with the best practices HMRC expects.”

Why Certification Matters

Until now, there has been no formal qualification dedicated solely to R&D tax relief, despite the scheme being in place for 24 years. While mainstream tax qualifications may touch on R&D, they often focus more on compliance, rates, and rules rather than the nuanced application required in practice. This leaves a significant knowledge gap for many advisors.

According to The R&D Community, this certification was created in response to overwhelming demand from advisors and accountants who wanted a more structured, comprehensive understanding of the field. The curriculum spans six core modules covering:

• Marketing & Ethics

• Screening and Selling

• The Merged R&D Scheme

• Explaining Eligibility

• Accounting Basics

• Costs & Apportionments

This well-rounded programme equips professionals with both the technical and ethical grounding needed to advise with confidence in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.

Raising Standards in a Niche Sector

Suzy’s achievement reflects Zyla Accountants’ proactive approach to staying ahead in a highly specialised area of tax. As concerns grow around misuse and inconsistency in R&D claims, certifications like this are set to become a key differentiator for firms committed to doing things the right way.

“R&D tax relief is a powerful incentive, but it must be used responsibly,” Suzy added. “This certification helps ensure we deliver both value and compliance. It’s a win for us and for our clients.”

For more information about Suzy Kerton and Zyla Accountants’ R&D services, visit: https://www.zyla.accountants/rd-tax-credits