Finding a purpose with AAT: how one student gave up everything for a better future

We speak to AAT student Filomena Rodrigues about how she never gave up on her studies, even when her life had been turned upside down.

Five years ago, Filomena Rodrigues arrived in the UK as a single mum of three and a dream of a better life. With little more than the clothes on her back and some friends to offer her young family shelter in a new country, her life was in turmoil following the breakdown of her marriage.

She had tried to pursue a career in accounting while living in her home state of Goa in India but put her studies on hold to work on her relationship. Now free from her past, Filomena had a burning desire to reignite her accountancy flame. She promised herself that this would be the start of something great. And it was when she found AAT.

“Starting from scratch in a new country was not easy, but I chose to see every challenge as an opportunity,” she said. “I began my journey with AAT Level 2 and chose to study with AAT because it offers a practical and flexible pathway into a respected accounting career.

“I wanted to use the foundations of accounting I had learned in India and carry them forward. It was a way of changing my path instead of just sitting and crying over what had happened in my life.”

Balancing home life with studying

Choosing to study while bringing up a young family on your own is a tough ask, but Filomena found that AAT gave her independence to find the right balance of home and work life.

She said: “I always say that AAT gave me a practical and flexible pathway into a respected accounting career. As a single parent and new to the country, I wanted a qualification that would allow me to build a stable future for my family while balancing full-time work and family responsibilities.

“The AAT qualification stood out to me because it focuses on real-world skills that are recognised and valued by employers across different industries.”

It wasn’t always easy, but Filomena switched her mindset to see how great of an opportunity this could be.

“The first six months of my Level 2 qualification were really tough,” she said. “I didn’t have any work, and what little money I did get, I invested straight back into my education. I didn’t see it as an expense but more of an investment. I invested in the course for a better future for me and my children.”

The journey from Level 2 to Level 4

By completing her Level 2 qualification Filomena was given her first proper job as a purchase ledger clerk. That investment she made had paid off. But she wasn’t done there.

The income she gained meant she could finance her Level 3 qualification alongside setting up her own bookkeeping company, before passing this and moving on to study Level 4. In this time, she also achieved her AATQB license. To date she has never failed an assessment and admits that the AAT journey is something that sets people up to succeed.

“For me it was the scenario-based questions that helped me the most as I had never learned like that. It meant that I was prepared to apply these skills to real-world scenarios.

“Each qualification level brings further skills and more complex situations to learn from which only helped me progress and think like a proper worker. Each level helped me think and feel like an accountant.”

“AAT has given me confidence and I truly feel empowered – it has transformed my life. When I came here, I was scared. I’m not scared anymore because I have AAT backing me.”

Advancing through each AAT level was always the pathway Filomena wanted to take. As she works towards her Level 4 qualification, she reflects on the route and encourages others to potentially follow in her footsteps.

“I always wanted to finish Level 4 so I was able to call myself a qualified account. I just want to keep learning and see what happens next. Today, I am proud to have completed AAT Levels 2 and 3, and I am now studying Level 4 while running my own bookkeeping business.

“The AAT qualification is not just a path to a career, it’s a journey of personal growth, empowerment and transformation.”

AATQB and setting up her own business

By completing her bookkeeping qualification with AAT, Filomena has been able to set up FR Bookkeeping Limited to support her dream of finishing Level 4 and becoming qualified. While she only has one client currently, she hopes to grow the business. Being her own boss was something she had never considered.

She said: “It was actually an AAT article that gave me the idea, because I loved the thought of working when I needed to, and giving my children the time back that they did not have when I first arrived in the UK.

“I now spend half my time at home, so it’s a good feeling because I don’t have to go and work for somebody else and ask them for time off. It gave me the freedom to concentrate on passing my assessments.”

Belief in a future career

It’s through Filomena’s patience, hard work and resilience that has opened doors that were once firmly closed. She now finds herself in a secure job as her own boss, and close to being a fully qualified accountant. She confesses that she is a completely different person to the one who came to the UK half a decade ago.

“AAT has given me confidence and I truly feel empowered – it has transformed my life,” she said. “When I came here, I was scared. I’m not scared anymore because I have AAT backing me.

“I’m a single parent who came to the UK with no financial support. I now feel like AAT has become my family.”

Everyone who studies with AAT has a story. They have a reason to follow this pathway. In Filomena’s case, she was chasing a purpose, which is something she recommends others to do.

She added: “The best way to stay motivated is for you to see your purpose in life. My purpose in life is to give a brilliant future to my kids.

“If you ever feel overwhelmed, or self-doubt creeps in, looking back at your purpose shows you how best to move forward. Always remember why you started studying in the first place and you’ll learn how to overcome anything.”

Further reading

We answer your most common concerns when it comes to studying with AAT

The career pathways available to AAT students and the skills needed for your future

Top tips and ways of working for students with ADHD

Harry Rogers is AAT Comment’s news writer.