“Being a winner really put my name out there”

We caught up with the 2024 AAT Impact Award winners to see how they’re faring.

Just under a year ago, AAT celebrated the achievements and successes of some of the amazing members and students that make up our community. As part of AAT Connect, the AAT Impact Awards 2024 recognised the incredible strength, talent and diversity within the profession by highlighting the great work of AAT members in a whole variety of ways.

We caught up with some of the award winners to find out how their careers have been progressing, and how AAT has helped them grow both professionally and personally.

One key theme which all the winners highlighted was the support and prestige that being AAT qualified provided them with, and how their training and the AAT community gave them the skills and the confidence to give their customers and clients the best possible service.

If you’d like the chance to benefit from winning one of our awards, or know someone who deserves recognition, get your nominations in ahead of the submission deadline, Friday 5 September.

“Winning has given me more confidence and the award shows I’ve been recognised for my work”

Jessica Morton FMAAT, Excellence Award

The award was presented to an individual who has been hugely impactful in their career to date. Jess Morton (née Brindle), set up her own business Jessica & Morton last year with her partner Ben in Lancashire. They run an AAT-licensed practice and business consultancy.

“I applied for the award because I was starting the business and it felt like a good way getting my name out there,” Jess explains. “Winning has given me more confidence. When I am talking to a new client, I need to earn people’s trust very quickly. When you’re asking to talk about people’s numbers and their bank accounts, they need to feel that you are competent and trustworthy, and the award has shown that I have been recognised for the work that I do.”

“AAT has been life-changing”

Julie Spence AATQB, One to Watch

Sponsored by Intuit Quickbooks, this award acknowledged and celebrated an individual who is early in their career but has already made an outstanding contribution.

Julie is an advocate for changing the narrative surrounding bookkeepers and accountants and is the founder and director of NOEXSPENCE Ltd.

“I was delighted to win the award,” she says. “For somebody who never graduated from school or went to university, AAT has been life changing.

“No matter what your background or where you have come from, if you’ve got something that’s that you’re proud about sharing and that could potentially inspire somebody else that you should be actively doing that, because we’re humans, and we are meant to be of service.”

“The award has strengthened my professional profile internationally”

Paul Lyn FMAAT, Global Champion

The award was presented to someone who has helped to widen the impact of AAT.

Paul is Chief Performance Officer at Business Pro Limited and Managing Director of J-WYN Pharmacy Limited, Sam Fo Wholesale & Foods Limited, Sam Fo Meats, Sam Fo Plaza, and ProVantage Outsourcing HRM and Payroll Solutions Limited.

“Winning the 2024 AAT Global Champion Award was a defining moment in my professional journey,” he says. “I felt honoured and grateful, not only for the recognition but also for what it symbolizes, years of dedication, high standards, and a commitment to service. It reaffirmed that hard work, perseverance, and above all, integrity when combined with purpose-driven leadership, can create an influence that extends far beyond your immediate sphere and leaves a lasting mark on both the profession and the community.

“The award has strengthened my professional profile internationally. Professionally, I have been the lead accountant on many large-scale development projects here in Jamaica. Personally, I have remained deeply engaged in community service and continued my work as a Justice of the Peace for Jamaica.”

“Winning the award has opened up opportunities”

Ellis Harris-Boulter MAAT AATQB, Professional Member of the Year (MAAT/FMAAT)

Sponsored by Capium, the award recognised an AAT full or fellow member who has demonstrated outstanding achievements and success in their role.

Founder and Director at FieCo Accountancy & Marketing, and AAT Tutor Ellis said he was “very surprised and grateful” to win.

“Winning the award meant a lot,” he says. “My mum joined the accounting practice early on and we grew it together, so it was lovely having her with me at the ceremony. It has opened up opportunities, whether being able to represent AAT in new ways and business opportunities after clients saw the posts on social media and got in touch. I’m incredibly lucky to get to work with a collection of fabulous businesses across the UK, alongside my Mum and sister, where we’re treated almost as an extension of the business.

“I’ve also been collaborating with AAT to develop the next generation of accountants by hosting webinars, speaking at events and filming for their accounting virtual work experience programme. I accepted the role of co-chair at AAT Northampton Branch and I’m also very grateful to have been invited to be a judge at their Bursary scheme and Connect Awards 2025.”

“Being a winner connected me with other amazing business owners”

Zara Farr AATQB, Professional Member of the Year (AATQB)

The award recognised an AAT bookkeeping member who has demonstrated outstanding achievements and success in their role. Zara set up Base2Base Bookkeeping to serve local business in and around her home in Cornwall.

“I felt so welcome at the awards and being a winner really put my name out there and connected me with other amazing business owners,” she says.

“I have grown my business this year and worked with some amazing clients. For the future, AAT level 4 is definitely on my wish list, as well as expanding our offering.

“I would like to have an office space for contractors and so that I can think about recruiting new staff and employees. When I first set up my business, I didn’t anticipate that it would grow the way that it has. It’s been amazing.”

“The award validated going against the grain and gave me confidence to keep learning”

Andrew Smith FMAAT, Licensed Member of the Year

Sponsored by Sage, the AAT Licensed Member of the Year Award recognised an AAT licensed member who has demonstrated outstanding achievements.

 Andy is business owner at Abbeygate Accountancy in Bury St Edmunds, which aims to deliver proactive and commercial advice at the right time, while leveraging software and automation.

“Personally, the award felt like recognition for many years of continual self-improvement and also that it is ok to push against the grain in a sector that often plays it safe,” he says.

“Professionally, it was validation that the way we’re doing things, with a modern, tech-enabled, conversation led, client-first approach, is the way forward. It has provided the confidence to keep pushing forward with my studies, continually learning and developing my softer people skills for leadership. 

“My plans for the future are to continue to scale the business without losing any of the culture, the ethos or the quality.”

Marianne Curphey is an award-winning financial writer and columnist, and author of the book How Money Works. She worked as City Editor at The Guardian, deputy editor of Guardian online, and has worked for The Times, Telegraph and BBC.