I have a list on which I write the names of AAT members whose stories I find particularly impressive.

Almost everyone I meet could make the list but, if I added every brilliant individual I met, my list would take over my office. Your success stories are part of the lifeblood of AAT; they’re the reason we do what we do, and the reason many people decide to take the AAT qualifications in the first place.

Our membership is made up of so many quietly impressive individuals, and most don’t realise just how incredible they are. We’re also in the middle of a period of great innovation in the profession. Accountants are embracing new technology, and radical new business models are emerging among accountants in practice – something that is starting to filter into industry too. It is a time of great achievement, and this is why AAT is launching the Professional Member Awards, to recognise individual and collective success among its membership. The awards, in six different categories, will be presented in a ceremony on Thursday 8 June 2017, as part of the AAT Annual Conference.

The awards are open to those with MAAT (full member of AAT), FMAAT (fellow member of AAT) and AATQB (associate bookkeeping member of AAT) status – around 50,000 members. The award categories are broad, offering opportunities for all of our members, from individuals in the early years of their professional membership to licensed members who have shown passion in the way they run their business to those who help AAT regional branches to succeed.

We have recognised our brilliant student members at our Training Provider Conference for some time now, so, as far as I’m concerned, these new awards couldn’t come soon enough. These awards are a chance to give extra prestige and recognition to those who have achieved great things in their career.

Each award will be a stamp of approval that a practice can display proudly to potential clients in its office, on its website or in other marketing material. It will be a highlight on a CV that could help someone land their dream job.

So I hope you consider entering yourself into at least one of the award categories. So many of you have done great things in your careers. Now is the time to tell us your story.

How to enter

The awards are open to anyone with MAAT, FMAAT or AATQB status. They will be presented at the Annual Conference 2017, on Thursday 8 June.

The six categories are:

• Professional Member of the Year
• Licensed Member of the Year
• Rising Star of the Year
• CPD Champion of the Year
• AAT Advocate of the Year
• Branch of the Year

To enter the AAT Professional Member Awards 2017, tell us your story and submit your nomination. Entries close 3 April 2017.

Mark Farrar is the Chief Executive of AAT.