Where can an AAT qualification take me in my career?

An AAT qualification opens up a range of exciting opportunities, from working in practice with individual clients and businesses, to pursuing a career in industry or the public sector.

The most important aspect of your first job is the opportunity to put your AAT studies into practice. As you gain more experience, you will find out whether you enjoy working with clients, growing a business, contributing to public welfare or taking on a more commercial role. Early on, focus on developing your professional skills, which are readily transferable across sectors.

As a student looking for an accounting apprenticeship or your first job, how do you choose which sector to work in? The decision between a career in practice, business or the public sector involves balancing your own personal interests and skills. Each sector has its own culture and opportunities, plus you can move between sectors as your AAT skills are valuable and transferable.

Working in practice

A career in practice typically involves working in accounting firms, ranging from small offices serving the interests of local people and businesses, to organisations with large international networks that offer auditing, corporate finance and legal advice – such as the accounting ‘Big Four’ of Deloitte, PwC, EY and KPMG).

In smaller firms, you will have a lot of direct contact with clients and learn skills around supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), helping them plan and manage their businesses, and personal tax.

Often these relationships are long-lasting and you have the satisfaction of watching their business grow. Larger firms tend to provide a fast-paced, dynamic environment that demands technical expertise and a deep understanding of specialist aspects of accounting.

You will needstrong technical skills, attention to detail and the ability to build excellent client relationships. You will explain changes to tax and legislation to non-financial people and build strong networking and communication skills.

Industry and the corporate sector

Working in the business or corporate sector means joining the finance team of a company. This environment tends to be more structured around reporting dates and regulations, and offers the opportunity to become a specialist in areas such as management accounting, financial planning or internal auditing.

You will learn how the finance team plays a key role in business strategy, decision-making, budgeting and risk management. As well as working on payroll, cash flow, credit control, supplier accounts and annual reports, corporate accountants need to be able to communicate complex financial information to non-financial colleagues and articulate their recommendations for strategic business decisions.

You will play a key role in guiding decision-making processes through financial analysis and budgeting. Key skills include analytical thinking, problem-solving and managing your time well.

Public sector

The public sector offers opportunities in government bodies, regulatory agencies and public institutions such as hospital trusts, emergency services, education, local government, waste management and law enforcement.

Working in this sector requires a different focus, as accountants need to be accountable, transparent and provide value for money for the public purse. Since these organisations are not primarily profit-driven, this sector often appeals to people who are interested in providing a service to the community.

A key difference is that you will need to be able to navigate complex regulatory frameworks and make decisions based on industry standards and specific tendering requirements. You will need to have strong organisational skills and be committed to high standards of integrity.

Whatever path you take, AAT is there to support students every step of the way.

Further reading

Coping with stress when studying for your AAT qualifications

Why employers look for AAT qualifications

What should I do once I’ve completed all my AAT qualifications?

AAT Comment offers news and opinion on the world of business and finance from the Association of Accounting Technicians.