Welcome
From the President
Accountancy needs to be accessible - and so too does financial literacy.
AAT recently released its Money Matters campaign, and the findings show how far we still have to go to promote financial literacy and achieve inclusivity. It's disheartening to see how financial literacy is especially poor among those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and women. This is my background, and I know just how transformative financial education has been for me.
My own journey shows just how powerful apprenticeships can be to gain the financial skills and, in my case and many others, become an entrepreneur. I began my apprenticeship with AAT after leaving school, working in the accounts department of a Cardiff hotel. Fast-forward a few years and I co-founded my business, Mazuma, from my bedroom aged 23. Today, I’m AAT President and I'm delighted to employ over 70 people at Mazuma, which now manages the accounts of 10,000 small business clients across the UK.
Suffice to say, financial skills and education can take you a long way. While I didn't go down the traditional university route — no freshers' week, no student halls, no graduation — I did have ambition. It was my apprenticeship with AAT that gave me the skills and experience to apply it. That’s why I was so proud to champion AAT and our commitment to expanding access to the profession, to open doors into accountancy regardless of background.
We regularly hear from firms that say they are struggling to find talent. There is plenty out there, it’s just not always fully formed.
Lucy Cohen MAAT, AAT President
Calum Fuller, Editor
Editor's letter
If there’s anything you take from this issue of AAT Student, it’s the variety that’s open to you with an AAT qualification. Not only that, it’s the flexibility both during your qualification process and in your career.
As Hannah Deakin’s story shows us in this issue’s breakthrough, a career in finance has been the ideal way for her to achieve and pursue her independence following a life-changing accident in her teens.
Gemma Heard’s story illustrates that opportunities are available around the world with an AAT qualification, while Andy Smith has used his to work in a huge range of fields, including automotives, media agencies, consultancy and construction.
As you make your way through your modules and exams, bear in mind that both your courses and your eventual career can take almost any shape your wish and accommodate both your responsibilities and your needs.
The Association of Accounting Technicians. 30 Churchill Place, London E14 5RE. Registered charity no.1050724. A company limited by guarantee (No. 1518983).