Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) Scotland: Who Are They, What They Do and How They Affect Your Debt 

The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) is the Scottish Government agency responsible for overseeing bankruptcy, trust deeds and the Debt Arrangement Scheme in Scotland. 

In Scotland, the bankruptcy process is formally known as sequestration, so you’ll see both terms used throughout this article. AiB supervises the entire process from start to finish. It acts as trustee when no one else is appointed, and it maintains the public Register of Insolvencies. This makes AiB the body that keeps Scotland’s debt relief system running fairly, for the person struggling to repay debt and the creditors owed money alike. 

If you’re dealing with debt in Scotland, understanding AiB’s role can help you make sense of what happens next, whether you’re considering bankruptcy, weighing up a trust deed, or already going through the process. In this article, we’ll break down exactly who AiB is, what they do, and how their decisions can directly affect your debt.

Let’s get started. 

What Is the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB)?

The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. It handles bankruptcy, personal insolvency and related debt processes across Scotland. AiB was set up to manage debt relief and debt management options for people and businesses who can no longer keep up with what they owe.

The role has a long history. It began under the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1856, but its powers grew significantly after the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1993, and today it operates under the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016. This legislation gives AiB the legal authority to oversee bankruptcy cases, register insolvencies and act as trustee when needed.

AiB works independently and impartially, but it is still accountable to Scottish Ministers. This means it makes decisions on individual cases without political interference, while still reporting on its overall performance and operations to the government.

The agency is based at 1 Pennyburn Road in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, and employs just over 120 people. It’s worth noting that AiB only covers Scotland. If you live in England or Wales, a different body, the Insolvency Service, handles bankruptcy matters instead. 

Need Help Dealing With Your Debt?

AiB oversees the bankruptcy process, but it won’t tell you which debt solution actually fits your situation. If you’re unsure whether bankruptcy, a trust deed or another option is right for you, fill out the form below and we’ll help you find out.

We’re here to support you every step of the way.

So, let’s get started…

 

Who Runs the AiB?

AiB is led by the Accountant in Bankruptcy, a statutory officer of the court appointed under section 199 of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016. This role is currently held by Dr Richard Dennis, who also serves as the Agency’s Chief Executive. He is directly accountable to Scottish Ministers for how AiB performs and operates.

Supporting him is the Depute Accountant in Bankruptcy, a role currently held by John Cook. The Depute steps in to help manage the Agency’s day-to-day responsibilities and can act on the Accountant’s behalf when required.

Beyond these two roles, AiB is guided by an Advisory Board. This board doesn’t run the Agency’s daily operations, but it does help shape its direction. Its members offer input on business priorities, performance targets, budget decisions and risk management, helping keep AiB on track with its wider goals.

This structure matters because it shows that AiB isn’t just a faceless government department. Real people, with legal authority and public accountability, are behind the decisions that affect bankruptcy cases, trust deeds and debt arrangement schemes across Scotland. Knowing who holds this responsibility can help you understand how decisions in your own case are made and who ultimately answers for them. 

[Source: https://aib.gov.uk/about/advisory-board] 

What Does the AiB Do?

AiB carries out several core functions to keep Scotland’s debt and insolvency system running fairly and effectively. Its main responsibilities include:

• Administering the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS): approving debt payment programmes that let people repay debt without going bankrupt
• Supervising personal bankruptcy: overseeing the entire bankruptcy process from application to discharge
• Recording corporate insolvencies: keeping track of company liquidations and receiverships across Scotland
• Developing policy: advising Scottish Ministers on personal and corporate insolvency, debt arrangement and diligence law
• Maintaining the Register of Insolvencies: a public record of bankruptcies, protected trust deeds and company insolvencies
• Acting as trustee: stepping in to manage a bankruptcy case when no insolvency practitioner is appointed
• Approving money advisors and payment distributors: making sure those helping manage DAS payments meet the right standards

Together, these functions place AiB at the centre of Scotland’s debt relief system. It doesn’t just process paperwork; It sets the rules, monitors compliance and steps in directly when needed. This dual role, as both regulator and active participant in individual cases, is what makes AiB such an important body to understand if you’re dealing with debt in Scotland. 

What AiB Cannot Do? 

While AiB plays a central role in Scotland’s bankruptcy(sequestration) and debt system, there are clear limits to what it offers. Understanding these limits can save you time and help you find the right support sooner.

• AiB does not give money or debt advice. It administers processes and maintains records, but it won’t tell you which debt solution is right for you or how to budget your way out of debt.
• AiB does not act as your personal advocate. It supervises trustees and the wider bankruptcy process, but it isn’t there to represent your individual interests the way a solicitor or debt adviser would.
• AiB does not resolve disputes over whether you owe money. If a creditor claims you owe them money and you disagree, that’s a matter for the courts, not AiB.
• AiB does not cover England or Wales. If you live outside Scotland, you’ll need to contact the Insolvency Service instead.

If you’re struggling with debt, the better first step is speaking to a free debt adviser who can look at your full situation and explain your options, including whether bankruptcy, a trust deed or DAS makes sense for you. 

What is AiB’s Role as Trustee?

When someone goes bankrupt in Scotland, a trustee is appointed to manage the case, this usually means dealing with the debtor’s assets and making sure creditors are treated fairly. In most cases, a private insolvency practitioner takes on this role. But when no one else is appointed, AiB steps in as trustee of last resort.

As trustee, AiB’s responsibilities include:

1. Managing the bankrupt person’s estate: identifying and dealing with any assets that need to be sold to repay creditors
2. Distributing funds to creditors: making sure money recovered is shared out fairly and in the correct order
3. Overseeing the debtor’s obligations: checking that the person meets their duties during the bankruptcy period
4. Handling case administration: dealing with paperwork, reporting and other formal requirements tied to the bankruptcy

This happens in the majority of bankruptcy cases in Scotland, since many people don’t have an insolvency practitioner privately appointed. AiB also supervises private trustees in cases where one is appointed, checking their fees and decisions are reasonable. This dual function, acting as trustee itself and supervising others, keeps the system consistent and accountable. 

How the AiB Affects Your Bankruptcy Process?

If you’re going through bankruptcy in Scotland, AiB has a hand in several stages of the process, whether or not you realise it. Here’s how it can affect you directly:

• Deciding on your application: if you apply for bankruptcy yourself, AiB reviews and determines the application, rather than a court
• Appointing a trustee: AiB either appoints a private trustee or takes on the role itself if no one else is available
• Approving your money adviser: if you’re getting help through DAS, AiB checks that your adviser and payment distributor are properly approved
• Supervising your trustee’s decisions: AiB monitors trustee fees and actions to make sure they’re fair and reasonable
• Acting on complaints: if a trustee isn’t carrying out their duties properly, AiB can step in and take action
• Recording your case: your bankruptcy is entered into the public Register of Insolvencies, which AiB maintains

Because of this, AiB isn’t just a background regulator; they are often directly involved in decisions that shape your bankruptcy experience. Knowing this can help you understand who to approach if something in your case doesn’t seem right, and why certain steps in the process work the way they do. 

 

What is the Relationship Between AiB and the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS)?

The Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) is a statutory debt solution that lets people in Scotland repay what they owe over a longer period, without the impact of bankruptcy. AiB is the DAS Administrator, appointed under the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002, meaning it oversees the scheme from start to finish.

AiB’s involvement in DAS includes:

• Approving Debt Payment Programmes (DPPs): reviewing and signing off on repayment plans before they become legally binding
• Freezing interest and charges: once a DPP is approved, creditors can’t add further interest, fees or charges on the debt
• Protecting you from further action: approved DPPs stop creditors from taking further steps to recover the debt, such as court action
• Approving money advisers and payment distributors: making sure the professionals helping manage your DAS payments meet the required standards
• Maintaining the DAS Register: keeping a public record of approved debt payment programmes

Because AiB administers DAS directly, it plays a much more hands on role here than it does in some other debt processes. If you’re using DAS to manage your debt, AiB is effectively the body making sure the scheme works as intended, for you and your creditors alike. 

What is the Relationship Between AiB and Protected Trust Deeds (PTDs)?

A trust deed is a voluntary agreement between you and your creditors, where you pay what you can afford over a set period, usually four years, and any remaining debt is written off. It becomes a Protected Trust Deed (PTD) once certain conditions are met, giving it extra legal protection. Unlike DAS, AiB doesn’t administer trust deeds directly, but it still plays an important part in the process.

AiB’s role in PTDs includes:

• Recording trust deeds: every protected trust deed is entered into the public Register of Insolvencies, which AiB maintains
• Confirming protected status: AiB processes the paperwork that allows a trust deed to become protected, giving you protection from most creditor action
• Keeping the process transparent: the register lets creditors, and others, check whether a trust deed is in place
• Supporting the wider insolvency framework: trust deeds fall under the same legislation AiB oversees, tying them into the broader Scottish debt system

Unlike bankruptcy, a licensed insolvency practitioner runs the trust deed itself, not AiB. But because AiB handles the registration and protection process, it remains a key checkpoint that determines whether your trust deed carries full legal weight. 

What is Register of Insolvencies?

The Register of Insolvencies is a public record maintained by AiB. It lists key debt and insolvency information for people and companies across Scotland, giving creditors, employers and the public a way to check someone’s financial status.

The register includes:

• Bankruptcies: details of anyone who has been made bankrupt in Scotland
• Protected Trust Deeds (PTDs): records of trust deeds that have gained protected status
• Statutory Debt Payment Programmes: entries for approved DAS repayment plans
• Corporate liquidations: information on companies going through liquidation
• Receiverships: records of companies placed into receivership

Because the register is public, anyone can search it, including lenders, landlords and potential employers. This is worth keeping in mind, since a bankruptcy or trust deed entry can affect things like credit applications or certain job opportunities while it remains listed.

Entries don’t stay on the register forever. Depending on the type of case, most are removed after a set period, though a bankruptcy typically stays on record longer than other listings. If you want to check your own entry, or someone else’s, the register is searchable directly through AiB’s website.  

How to Contact the AiB?

If you need information on bankruptcy, trust deeds or the Debt Arrangement Scheme, AiB offers a few straightforward ways to get in touch.

• By phone: call AiB on 0300 200 2600, available between 9am and 4.30pm
• Online: visit the AiB website at aib.gov.uk to find guidance, forms and further contact details
• Register searches: you can search the public Register of Insolvencies directly on the AiB website if you need to check a bankruptcy, trust deed or company insolvency entry

Keep in mind that AiB can point you toward information on debt relief and debt management processes, but it cannot give you personal money or debt advice. If you need guidance on your specific situation, it’s best to speak with a free debt adviser first, then contact AiB directly if you have questions about an existing case, a trustee’s conduct or an entry on the register.

Reaching out to AiB is generally most useful once you already know which process applies to you, whether that’s bankruptcy, DAS or a trust deed, rather than as a first step in deciding how to deal with debt.

Need Help Deciding What’s Right for You?

AiB oversees the process, but it can’t tell you which debt solution actually fits your situation, and going it alone with bankruptcy, a trust deed or DAS is a big decision to make without guidance.

At Debt Advisory Services, we help people across Scotland understand their options and choose the right path forward, whether that’s a Protected Trust Deed, the Debt Arrangement Scheme, bankruptcy or another solution entirely. We’ll look at your full circumstances, explain what each option means for you, and support you through every step.

Get in touch today for free, no-obligation advice and find out which debt solution could work for you.

 

Conclusion 

The Accountant in Bankruptcy plays a central part in how debt is managed across Scotland, from supervising bankruptcy and administering DAS to recording every trust deed and insolvency on the public register. As we’ve covered, AiB’s reach extends into almost every stage of the process, whether you’re applying for bankruptcy yourself, repaying debt through a payment programme, or relying on the protection a trust deed offers.

What’s important to remember is that AiB regulates and administers, but it doesn’t advise. It won’t tell you which route suits your circumstances, and it won’t advocate on your behalf. That responsibility falls to you, and to the professionals you choose to work with along the way.

If you’re dealing with debt in Scotland, understanding AiB’s role is a useful starting point, but it’s only part of the picture. Knowing your options, and getting the right support to weigh them up, is what actually moves you toward a solution. That’s where the right guidance makes all the difference. 

Key Takeaways

• The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government responsible for overseeing bankruptcy, trust deeds and debt processes in Scotland.
• AiB operates under the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016, giving it the legal authority to supervise insolvency cases and register them publicly.
• The agency is led by the Accountant in Bankruptcy, currently Dr Richard Dennis, who is directly accountable to Scottish Ministers.
• AiB’s core responsibilities include administering the Debt Arrangement Scheme, supervising bankruptcy and maintaining the Register of Insolvencies.
• AiB acts as trustee of last resort in most Scottish bankruptcy cases where no private insolvency practitioner is appointed.
• AiB reviews and determines bankruptcy applications, appoints trustees and monitors their conduct throughout the process.
• As the DAS Administrator, AiB approves Debt Payment Programmes and freezes interest and charges once a plan is in place.
• While AiB doesn’t administer trust deeds directly, it records them and confirms their protected status on the Register of Insolvencies.
• AiB cannot provide personal money or debt advice, so speaking with a debt adviser is essential before deciding on a solution.
• Understanding AiB’s role helps you make sense of the bankruptcy process, but choosing the right debt solution still requires personalised, professional guidance. 

FAQs

Is 'Accountant in Bankruptcy' the same in England and Wales?

No. AiB only operates in Scotland. If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, bankruptcy and insolvency matters are handled by the Insolvency Service instead, which follows different legislation and processes to those used in Scotland.

Who can become an Accountant in Bankruptcy?

The Accountant in Bankruptcy is a statutory officer appointed under the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016, not an open career path. The current postholder is appointed by Scottish Ministers and also serves as the Agency's Chief Executive, overseeing its day-to-day operations.

Do I need an 'Accountant in Bankruptcy' if I'm going bankrupt in Scotland?

Yes, indirectly. You don't hire AiB yourself, but every Scottish bankruptcy involves them. AiB either determines your application directly or appoints a trustee, and they'll act as trustee themselves if no private insolvency practitioner takes on your case.

What are my responsibilities if AiB or a trustee is handling my bankruptcy?

You'll need to disclose your assets and income honestly, cooperate with requests for information, and meet any agreed contributions towards your debts. Failing to meet these obligations can lead to your bankruptcy being extended or further action being taken.

What's the difference between an Accountant in Bankruptcy and an Insolvency Practitioner?

AiB is a government agency that regulates and administers Scotland's insolvency system. An Insolvency Practitioner is a licensed professional, often in private practice, who's appointed to manage individual bankruptcy or trust deed cases and reports to AiB's oversight.