AAT Says
SARAH BEALE
Despite so much change in the world, our aims have not changed
Despite a huge amount of technological, economic and political change, our ambitions for AAT and its members remain unchanged
In November, I will reach the three-year mark since I became chief executive of AAT. In that relatively short period of time, an awful lot has changed.
The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) over the last year is something very few would have foreseen in 2021, when we were grappling with the now somewhat surreal global pandemic.
These are fundamental changes in the world, all of which have had major knock-on effects very quickly.
Take AI. It has undoubtedly already had a huge impact on the way we work, including in the accounting profession. It has quickly been adopted in areas such as data entry, invoice processing and reconciliation, while some larger firms are also using it to help in areas such as tax case law. In two years, that is a profound change. It can’t be ignored and it is likely to develop further still.
It is also true to say that AI poses significant sustainability challenges that we must address. As AI is cloud-based, providers use vast server farms for the computing power required, and they need large amounts of water to cool. Google alone says that since 2019, its emissions have increased by 50%, largely due to the boom in generative AI. It estimates its electricity consumption grew by 17% in 2023 and its data centres accounted for as much as 10% of all data centre electricity consumption globally, while water usage also increased by 17%* to meet these demands. That’s a major issue in terms of both the UK’s and AAT’s sustainability goals.
Our guiding mission and ambition remains unchanged: ensuring members are future-ready, driving up standards across the profession, and building responsible business.
Holding on to 2030 vision
Amid all this, our guiding mission and ambition has not changed: ensuring members remain relevant, driving up standards across the profession, and building responsible business.
These are our pillars and in the three years I have been in-post, we have made great strides in these areas. Our Accountable campaign, for instance, has ensured that standards are kept high and help prevent unregulated agents undermining the great work you do, and our work on that continues under the new government.
When it comes to relevance, our work continues apace on a variety of fronts. Our recent Salary Survey shows just how much employers value AAT members, particularly at a time when they are finding suitable talent hard to come by. That was particularly highlighted in the 14% average rise in salaries for AAT members,** and the 12.6% rise in numbers of new apprenticeship starts last year,*** which also helps hugely with social mobility, one of our responsible business aims.
Staying with responsible business, we recently launched a new wellbeing hub for students, apprentices, members and employers to help provide support and resources to help them navigate the stresses, strains and anxieties they may be facing.
These examples are by no means exhaustive, but give a clear indication of our commitment to progress across our pillars.
Those aims are still as relevant now as they were when we set them out. Of course, how we get there has had to adjust and, no doubt, will have to adjust again. Many members, I’m sure, will be familiar with the feeling, especially if they’ve changed careers to become an accounting technician or set up their own practice.
While the path to our 2030 vision hasn’t been linear – with more twists and turns undoubtedly to come – we will continue to support, upskill and equip you for the future and ensure all members are relevant in a rapidly developing landscape.
Regardless of what comes next, I’m proud to say AAT will lead and advocate for you, our members, making sure the support you need is there.
Connect, celebrate and be inspired
Join us on Friday, 8 November, at The Brewery in London. Enjoy talks from leading experts, one-on-one clinics to answer your questions, and connect with peers at the AAT Impact Awards. Click here to find out more.
Looking ahead
Sir Keir Starmer is the fourth prime minister to hold office since I arrived at AAT. The technological and economic forces I’ve described here are also things that the new Labour government is going to have to tackle as it seeks to achieve its manifesto pledges of accelerating to net zero and kickstarting the economy. While, of course, AAT remains politically agnostic, pledges such as supporting skills and apprenticeships through Skills England are positive steps in the right direction. However, it’s vital we leave the instability of the last few years behind, as whenever governments change, it inevitably means projects that have been worked on and are in progress get kicked into the long grass.
I am a great believer in forging relationships and convincing people through compelling arguments and data to get the outcome we desire, so I look forward to working with ministers in the new government to make sure AAT’s voice is heard.
Despite the global challenges and new demands of the profession, this is undoubtedly an exciting time to be an AAT member.
Sources
SARAH BEALE