Welcome
From the President
Learning is a huge joy. If there’s one message I have for you as students, that’s it. Remaining curious and consistently and continuously learning are skills and qualities to cherish and take with you into your new careers.
As someone who didn’t go to university after leaving school, I know the value of access to the profession and pathways like the one AAT provides into accounting.
I started as an apprentice studying my AAT qualifications. I learned while working. I learned while messing things up. My apprenticeship meant I could study and work at the same time and carve out my own path.
Crucially, apprenticeships open the door for many into our industry – and that door doesn't close at a certain age. Lives change, situations change – things don’t have to be rigid and traditional.
In fact, lifelong learning is a huge personal passion. I recently achieved my MBA at Aston Business School while running my own business and working as AAT President. In January, I walked across that stage, as I graduated my masters with a distinction.
Of course, juggling responsibilities and studying can get a little messy and that can be stressful. But that can be a great learning experience and help equip you for your future career. There's no perfect path when it comes to studying, which is why it's so important to provide inclusive, accessible routes into education.
Our diverse membership community is testament to that. It's important to us that we're an inclusive community where everyone feels welcome, regardless of their route into the profession and members and students see themselves represented at AAT.
Lucy Cohen MAAT, AAT President
Calum Fuller, Editor
Editor's letter
Lifelong learning is at the heart of AAT’s qualifications. It enables you as students and members to continually develop, bolster your skills and pursue career opportunities that otherwise may not be open to you.
Examples of this can be seen through this edition of AAT Student. In this issue alone, we have a member who at one stage was pursuing a career in marine biology, before pivoting to qualifying with AAT a starting her own firm. We also hear from members who have made the move down the relatively less-trodden path from industry to practice, and the merits of doing so.
It’s important that once you qualify, you continue to learn and develop. You’ll keep yourself sharp, your standards high and across all the latest developments. And you may find yourself presented with career options you’d never considered before.
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