How is AAT improving social mobility on an International level?

Myanmar, currently in the process of democratic transition, is one of Southeast Asia’s fastest growing economies.

In 2014, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) reached an agreement with the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) to provide funding of almost £5 million to invest in at least ten emerging countries, including Myanmar, over seven years.

Khin Moh Moh Win, who is based in Myanmar, used her AAT Advanced Diploma to get her first accounting job in Yangon.

How did you get into accounting?

“In 2016, my teacher, U Thura Shein, introduced me to AAT in Myanmar.

At that time, I was a student studying for an LCCI (London Chamber of Commerce and Industry) accountancy qualification, an international qualification which is taken in over 80 countries across the world. I was studying at the MAS Education Centre in Yangon, the first AAT training provider in Myanmar,” says Moh Moh Win.

How has having a qualification helped you get your first job?

“After I passed the first LCCI exam, when I was 17, I joined AAT as a student as my teacher told me that AAT could help give me a professional qualification in accounting, which would help me progress to a career as an accountant,” she notes.

“I became more and more interested in accounting so I decided to try and get my AAT advanced diploma in Level-3.  After I passed that, I got a job as an assistant accountant in a firm called BizFix Consultancy, which advises on accounting, HR and tax.”

How has AAT helped you gain the right skills for your current role?

“This is my first job so it’s a whole new experience for me. Every day is a challenge but the subjects I have learned, such as basic accounting knowledge, spreadsheets and ethics, have really helped me.

I didn’t have any difficulties getting this job because my employer recognised that having an AAT qualification gave me good accountancy knowledge.”

Where do you hope to be in five to ten years’ time?

“I am currently studying my AAT professional diploma and hope to have completed it in one year’s time. I’d like to join one of the ‘Big Four’ accountancy firms (KPMG, PwC, Deloitte and Ernst & Young) and work in the UK.

I might have to overcome some language barriers along the way as I’m still learning English but having a good qualification behind me has really helped give me the confidence I need.”

In summary

• Khin got her first job in accountancy in Yangon, Myanmar after becoming an AAT student when she was 17
• having an AAT qualification has helped Khin fast-track her career in accountancy and given the confidence she needs to progress
• she hopes that having an internationally recognised qualification will enable her to work in the UK once she has completed her professional level four diploma.

For more on social mobility

• Social mobility in the workplace – how accountants are driving change
• Social mobility and accountancy in 10 charts
• Upwardly mobile – why social mobility matters

Georgina Fuller is an award winning freelance journalist and editor.