Career coach | AAT journeys
“How I built a new life and career with AAT”
Severn Accounting founder Ali Jaw FMAAT credits the technical skills and support he has gained from AAT for much of his success in the finance world
Words Jessica Bown
“Once you have your AAT qualifications, the world is your oyster,” says Ali Jaw, whose Severn Accounting practice has offices in both Worcester and Birmingham.
“They open so many doors and are a great starting point, whatever you want to be in business – accountant, business owner or entrepreneur.”
We caught up with him to learn more about his inspiring journey from West Africa to the West Midlands.
Passion for numbers
“I started studying AAT in 1999, after finishing high school back in The Gambia,” Jaw says. “At the time, my brother was living in the US and he paid for me to enrol.
“I chose AAT because I had a passion for numbers and was interested in becoming an accountant as a result.”
It wasn’t long before Jaw started to put his studies to good use, by taking on an accounting job at a local hotel.
“About six months in, I applied to be a trainee accountant in the hotel where my auntie worked,” he recalls. “I became an accounts clerk, which I really enjoyed.”
“I chose AAT because I had a passion for numbers and was interested in becoming an accountant as a result.”
Taking this job also turned out to be a pivotal moment in Jaw’s life, as it was while working at the hotel that he met friends who persuaded him to move to the UK to continue his studies.
“They were tourists from Bristol who came to stay in the hotel,” Jaw says. “We got on really well and they said they would like me to come to live with them in England and continue my studies there.
“Both my brother and sister were in the USA, so until then that’s where I thought I would go too.
“But, very sadly, my mum passed suddenly a couple of months after my friends left, meaning I didn’t have much family left in The Gambia at that time. So when they said they still wanted me to come, I thought ‘why not?’”
New life in the UK
Life didn’t go altogether smoothly after Jaw’s arrival in the UK, but he stayed focused on his goal of becoming an accountant.
“My friends from Bristol are still like family to me today,” says Jaw, who now lives in Worcester with his wife and children.
“But shortly after I came to the UK, their business hit financial problems and I no longer felt comfortable relying on them for a place to live.
“I moved to Birmingham to live with a friend and took on a job as a security guard at the Bullring building site to make money.
“I worked at night and went to college during the day. It was really tough but I was raised to work for what you want, so I managed to keep doing that until I completed my AAT qualifications.”
He also went on to do an ACCA qualification and got a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Oxford Brookes University, studying online at the same time as working.
Career success
Like many young people, Jaw found it hard to get a job in finance with little experience of the field.
“I was advised to do some voluntary work to get started,” he says. “Then I met my mentor in accountancy, who gave me a voluntary position at his accountancy firm, where I started doing the bookkeeping on a trial basis. That became a permanent paid role. I then landed a permanent role in a fire and security firm where I still manage all the finances and business development for that business today..”
In 2013, Jaw set up his own business and 2015, he set up another business with a good friend and fellow AAT member, Michael.
“I met Michael at AAT Birmingham Branch events who inspired me to set up in practice with him,” he adds. “It was very successful, but after several good years we decided to each do our own thing, which is when I started focusing on my own practice.
“Around that time, I also got involved in setting up the AAT branch in Hereford and Worcester, which won branch of the year in 2019.
“I’m very grateful for the AAT community, which allowed me to do what I do now.”
TOP TIPS
Ali’s tips for AAT students
1
Never give up
It’s so important to put in the effort during your studies and to keep going even if you fail an exam or get rejected by an employer, for example. The future is very bright if you persevere.
2
Be prepared to volunteer
You may find it hard to get a job with no experience. Doing voluntary work is a great way to get useful accounting experience that will impress potential employers.
3
Take advantage of the AAT branch network consistent
With AAT, all the tools and support are there for you to be successful. It’s such a relatable community, which I think is because of the branches. Getting involved at branch level gives you lots of opportunities and is so inspiring.
The Association of Accounting Technicians. 30 Churchill Place, London E14 5RE. Registered charity no.1050724. A company limited by guarantee (No. 1518983).
From West Africa to the West Midlands
Severn Accounting founder Ali Jaw FMAAT credits the technical skills and support he has gained from AAT for much of his success in the finance world
Words Jessica Bown
New life in the UK
Life didn’t go altogether smoothly after Jaw’s arrival in the UK, but he stayed focused on his goal of becoming an accountant.
“Martin and Lorraine are still like family to me today,” says Jaw, who now lives in Worcester with his wife and children.
“But shortly after I came to the UK, their business hit financial problems and I no longer felt comfortable relying on them for a place to live.
“I moved to Birmingham to live with a friend and took on a job as a security guard at the Bull Ring building site to make money.
“I worked at night and went to college during the day. It was really tough but I was raised to work for what you want, so I managed to keep doing that until I completed my AAT qualifications.”
He also went on to do an ACCA qualification and got a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Oxford Brookes University, studying online at the same time as working.
