“Future leaders who understand our culture and values”: why apprentices are so valuable Posted 01/15/2026 by Georgia Lewis & filed under Apprenticeships, Employers, Members. Accountants tell us how apprentices are boosting businesses, and what businesses are doing to develop them in turn. Investing in new talent – be that career-changers or school-leavers – can bring fresh perspectives and energy to accountancy firms, and one way to do this is through apprenticeships. Hiring apprentices needs to be a well managed process so everyone benefits, which is where Training Providers and government funding can help. Four accountants share why they hire apprentices and share their advice on how to provide meaningful opportunities to up-and-coming professionals. Providing thorough, structured training is key to success Rowan Morrow-McDade, Tax Director, Alexander & Co Apprentices are absolutely worth investing in. They bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm, but the key to success lies in providing thorough and structured training. This should include exposure to a broad range of work, opportunities for early client interaction, and strong mentoring so they develop technical skills and confidence. It is equally important to have robust procedures in place to ensure all stages of work are reviewed and signed off before anything is shared with clients or submitted to HMRC. We’re fortunate to have a well-established apprentice academy with consistently high exam pass rates and strong progression. Our apprentices gain valuable experience early in their careers and typically qualify more quickly, which benefits the firm and the individuals involved. Hiring an apprentice, especially ahead of the January rush, can be a great help in some circumstances, but it depends on the size and scope of your operations. There tends to be a lot of administrative work during January that can hold experienced accountants back from more complex tasks. In this situation, extra hands can be an invaluable benefit to the team. But it is important to provide an apprentice with real practical accounting experience, so exploring this avenue is only fair and worthwhile if your existing team is well-structured. If allocating regular time to shadowing and hands-on experience during the busy season is likely to add more stress to employees’ lives, the downsides may outweigh the benefits. In short, hiring an apprentice can be a big help during busy periods provided your permanent workforce has the resources and experience needed to make the relationship beneficial for all involved parties. We develop future leaders who understand our culture and values Vanessa Emens, Chief People and Operations Officer, Affinia As a people-centric business, where the expertise of our staff makes a real, lasting difference to our clients, we’re passionate about the value of apprenticeships. For many years, we have run a successful apprenticeship programme, achieving recognition as 13th in the Apprenticeships Top 50 SME Employers in 2023 and climbing to third place in 2024. We recruit apprentices through multiple channels, including our links with the ICAEW and ACCA, by recruiting within our communities, and through employee referrals, which we actively reward. The benefits are mutual. Our apprentices receive professional skills training, qualification support, client experience from day one, and clear progression pathways. We are focused on developing our own talent pipeline and future leaders who understand our culture and values. We provide comprehensive support including flexible working and wellbeing aid. For firms considering apprenticeships, our advice is to invest in structured training, create genuine progression opportunities, and foster a culture of knowledge-sharing and support. Our success comes from backing good people and helping them build long-term careers with us. Apprentices form a skilled, loyal team that grow with the business Alison Maguire, Practice Manager, Simpkins Edwards Apprenticeships have been part of our ethos for over 20 years. We currently have 23 apprentices, making up around 20% of our team. It’s a figure we’re incredibly proud of. We believe our people are our most important investment. For us, training and development aren’t just buzzwords, they’re at the heart of our culture. We work closely with Exeter College, a local further education provider, to find talented individuals who are genuinely eager to learn and grow. This partnership means we attract apprentices who share our values and are committed to building a career in accountancy. The benefits of our apprenticeship programme are significant for everyone involved. We find our apprentices offer fresh ideas and enthusiasm, which energises our business. In return, they gain hands-on experience, qualifications and the support of mentors who’ve walked the same path. Many of our former apprentices stay with the company. In fact, one progressed from apprentice to director. And many go on to be mentors themselves, illustrating the strength of our “pass it on” culture, where those who started as apprentices guide the next generation. We prioritise rounded growth by encouraging the development of technical, as well as soft skills, such as communication, teamwork and creativity. Understanding the wider business landscape and commercial awareness are essential as our apprentice roles evolve into active advisory positions. My advice for firms considering apprenticeships is simple. Invest properly. Taking on apprentices is not just about filling vacancies; it’s about shaping futures. The time and resources you put in will pay back year after year. Ultimately, you are creating a skilled, loyal team that will grow with your business. We give our apprentices a future-proof education, while they improve user experience Arjun Kumar, Founder, Taxd We have only been hiring apprentices in the last 12 months, with our first apprentice joining us in January 2025. But I joined PwC as a school-leaver/apprentice back in 2015, so I have a lot of experience with apprenticeship programmes and their benefits. BPP handle the advertising for us through Indeed and apprenticeship job boards. For us, this works really well as it takes a lot of time out of the hiring process. We review the CVs and handle it from the interview process onwards. For a digitally led company like us, apprentices are great. They’re typically digital natives and look at our user experience through fresh eyes. This provides a valuable feedback loop which keeps our online platform intuitive for our clients. For the apprentices, the benefit is a future-proof education. Instead of data entry and working in a traditional firm or large corporation, they are exposed to the intersection of tax legislation, customer success and product development. They skip student debt to gain experience solving real problems for real business owners and clients. My advice for anyone looking to hire apprentices is to get stuck in, but be patient. It takes time for apprentices to learn and adjust to the working world. I certainly did! Work on developing a culture where apprentices can ask questions, and make sure time is set aside for learning. It’s harder in smaller firms with smaller learning and development budgets, but making time for upskilling is extremely important and must not be overlooked.
Help your students accelerAATe their success in 2026 Posted 01/14/2026 by Harry Rogers & filed under Training providers. The new year is the perfect time for your students to boost their confidence, sharpen their skills and get inspired for what’s ahead. accelerAATe is a free online event designed to help them do just that. Running from 28 to 30 January, accelerAATe is a three-day virtual conference for AAT students to hear career advice from industry experts, gain study and revision tips, along with inspiring stories from AAT members who have used their qualification to succeed. Students can sign up here. Some of this year’s highlights: Networking 101: Unlocking opportunity through connection: this session explores the real power of networking, and why it matters now more than ever. Combining relatable examples with practical strategies, you’ll understand how everyday conversations can lead to opportunities in education, apprenticeships and future careers. Overcoming and managing personal challenges while studying: this session is dedicated to celebrating perseverance and sharing real-world strategies for success. Join us for an inspiring panel discussion with AAT students who are navigating their studies while managing other major life commitments. How to evidence your skills without formal experience: this session is designed to help you uncover the valuable skills you already possess. We’ll show you that experience comes from all parts of your life, not just the office. Plan your success: setting and achieving your short and long term goals: A goal without a plan is just a wish. Whether you’re planning the next few months of study or mapping out your first year in a new role, effective goal setting is the skill that turns ambition into reality. This interactive workshop will provide you with a clear framework for success. Student conference prize draw We’d love to see how our Training Providers are helping students accelerate their success. Share a post on social media promoting our Student Conference – tag us @AAT using #accelerAATe2026. Every Training Provider who posts will be entered into a prize draw to win AAT goodies for their students! Share this link below and encourage your students to register today: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5157796/669B2FD80338DD7BBDEE551B8E3AD2F9/6482843?partnerref=TP If you want to bring your social media posts to life, use the below artwork: Banner 1 Banner 2 Banner 3 Banner 4 Banner 5 Banner 6 Banner 7 Banner 8 For more information about accelrAATe and for students to sign up, click here
From apprentice to boss: Improve your career prospects by expanding your experience Posted 01/14/2026 by Christian Koch & filed under Apprentices, Apprenticeships, Career-boost. “Growth mindset is more important than technical skills” if you’re aiming for CFO or partner, so here’s what you can do to get there. These days, having a chartered qualification helps, but it’s no longer essential. There are other ways to build up the skills and experience to become CFO or partner. Gareth John, Policy Director, First Intuition, the training provider: “At senior leadership positions, you’ll still need to know accountancy basics such as bank recs or tax computation. I regularly ask CFOs and partners today whether accountants need to know double-entry. Their answer? ‘Absolutely!’.” Chris Argent, Founder, Generation CFO, The CFO: “It’s only the people digging their heels in and saying, ‘I don’t want to learn anything new’ who’ll be caught out by AI. As accountants, we’re analysts by heart and we’ve been training our entire careers – it’s natural for us to keep learning. I think most of us will be fine when it comes to embracing AI.” Karen Young, Director of accountancy & finance, Hays, the recruitment expert: “Employers value a willingness to learn and a growth mindset more than specific technical skills… Thanks to AI, entry-level roles are in a state of flux. But apprentices will still need to learn how to interpret AI’s output to see if there’s anything wrong with it.” Volunteer and put your hand up for everything The training provider: “I always advise trainees to volunteer to do things that aren’t part of their job description. Take on that extra bit of work. Help your manager who seems busier than normal. Organise the team social event every Friday. Don’t sit back and wait for people to come to you: if you finish a job at 4pm, find the manager and see if you can help. If you go above and beyond, giving that extra 5-10%, you’ll get noticed which leads to interesting opportunities. Every time you say ‘yes’, it opens new doors. Outside of work, if you volunteer to be treasurer of your local cricket club or help a charity’s finance team, you’ll find you’ll take on responsibilities at a quicker rate than other trainees.” The recruitment expert: “Offer to cover for senior colleagues during their time off. You might not be able to cover their entire job for a week, but you might be able to take on a couple of their tasks.” Try to understand how the entire business works The training provider: “CFOs/partners need to have a holistic view of how an organisation operates. Many apprenticeships offer a rotation programme, which gives you the chance to work in different departments such as sales ledger, treasury or management accounting.” The CFO: “Even as a trainee, you can ask a colleague for coffee to find out more about their department. If you’re working as an accounts payable clerk there’s no reason why you can’t find out what your credit control team is doing, or what operations are distributing.” Seek every opportunity to improve communication skills The training provider: “At CFO level, stakeholder management is more important than technical accounting: their FDs and finance managers can do that. Instead, CFOs need to develop relationships: with the CEO, the chief people officer, clients, investors and the bank. Many people enter accounting thinking it’s just about debits & credits or bookkeeping. But because of AI/automation, these broader communication (or ‘impact’) skills are becoming more important, especially if you want to progress towards senior leadership. How to develop these skills in your first job? Try to accompany your CFO to a meeting at a bank, or prepare some information for shareholders, perhaps even presenting it.” The CFO: “Don’t think you need to have a strong personality to be CFO. You can be an introverted, quiet person and still be a leader. True leadership is about being authentic and being true to yourself.” The recruitment expert: “Ask your boss whether it’d be okay to present a five-minute slot during the next team meeting. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is a great way to practice communication skills.” Ask for extra responsibilities in your development plan The CFO: “Try having conversations with your manager or learning & development team about your career goals. Tell them you want to understand more about the commercial side of the. business, or how to automate processes.” The recruitment expert: “There’s a growing need in many businesses for sustainability reporting – a great area to add value to your CV. Many young people have a passion for the planet and making the world a better place, so put yourself forward for any sustainability-led projects. For example, if your company is removing diesel vehicles from its fleet, see if you can help with the reporting for the impact statements.” Try to have a ‘zigzaggy’ career The recruitment expert: “If you only work in profit & loss or management accounting – and you’ve never had responsibility for the balance sheet or financial accounting – you probably won’t make CFO or financial director. The more opportunities you have to work in different areas of finance and accounting, the better…” The training provider: “I often see aspiring partners who’ll ‘zigzag’ departments every few years: working in areas such as audit, services or in corporate finance. Those working in industry might want to look at business partnering roles. This makes them more ‘pickable’ as a partner because they’ve got that variety of experience. If you work in the same department for 10-15 years, you might become an effective finance manager but struggle to step up to CFO because you haven’t got that holistic view.” The CFO: “Dare I say it, having a varied background could get you ahead of somebody who has stayed in a traditional pathway. If you’ve worked as an auditor or tax accountant, you would have gained some great experience but you’re not leading that strategic life as a finance business partner.”
January 2026 AAT Professional Standards and Regulation update Posted 01/12/2026 by AAT Comment & filed under Anti-money laundering, Anti-money laundering, Members. Minor amendments to AAT’s CPD Policy that members should be aware of. We have made a number of minor changes to our CPD Policy with the approval from the Professional Standards and Regulation Board (PRSC). The changes address areas where stakeholder feedback suggested clarity was required, and in some cases, the amendments reinforce positions which exist in other associated regulations. Changes include Clarity has been added around the purpose and objectives of the policy to help members understand the impact of their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) obligations on public trust, and a table of definitions included in the policy. The stages of the CPD cycle, as set out in the practical guidance on the AAT website (login required), have been included in the policy to help members understand the requirements of the output-based approach. The retention policy for CPD records of five years and the requirement for members to confirm their compliance with the CPD Policy when applying for or renewing their membership and/or licence, as already existed in our guidance, is now explicit in the policy. The implications of non-compliance for licensed members, as already set out in AAT’s Licensing Regulations, are included in the policy. This is an opportunity for all members, however new or longstanding, to read the CPD Policy in full and familiarise themselves with our compliance requirements. Useful links Please make use of the following resources to ensure you are up to date with the latest regulatory information.AAT Standards and Requirements AAT’s CPD guidance Support for licensed members AAT’s AML hub AAT’s ethics hub
From apprentice to boss: A natural pathway to partner Posted 01/08/2026 by Christian Koch & filed under Apprentices, Apprenticeships, Career-boost. An apprenticeship can act as the perfect springboard for becoming partner or even CFO. But how to get there? Our experts explain all. If you’re an apprentice starting your finance career, landing a chief financial officer (CFO) or partner’s position might seem like a distant dream. But the good news is you’re already on the right path. Accountancy apprenticeships equip you with a skills-suite essential for any CFO/partner: a solid foundation of technical skills, along with learning about business strategy, problem-solving and critical thinking. Armed with these skills, apprentices can achieve leadership positions much sooner than expected. In fact, because they’re embarking on finance careers at an earlier stage, apprentices often have a head start over university graduates. “It’s definitely achievable for school-leaver apprentices to become a partner or CFO in about a decade,” says Gareth John, policy director at First Intuition. “Being a finance lead at a smaller business is easier to get at a young age, even for people in their 20s.” AAT has spoken to three experts from different fields – a CFO, training provider and accounting recruitment expert – for their advice on landing these prize positions. Meet the experts The CFO: Chris Argent, Founder, Generation CFO, who has been CFO at multiple organisations. The training provider: Gareth John, Policy Director, First Intuition. The recruitment expert: Karen Young, Director of accountancy & finance, Hays (global recruitment company). What is a chief financial officer? A CFO is charged with overseeing an organisation’s financial operations and is heavily involved with the overall business strategy, as well as developing revenue streams and funding. Their pay-packet usually matches these responsibilities: the average range of a CFO’s salary in the UK is £80,000-£364,000, according to Robert Walters Salary Survey 2025 (CFO salaries of £1 million aren’t unheard of). What is a partner? A partner, on the other hand, is a co-owner of a firm, responsible for making strategic decisions about the company, business development (bringing in new business by identifying new opportunities), overseeing the team, plus developing client relationships. Having a chartered qualification helps… but it’s not essential The CFO: “Being chartered used to be THE route to becoming a CFO. But it’s no longer the only pathway. Because today’s CFOs need to be more strategic and commercial [many employers] are looking at people with a core qualification such as Level 4 AAT who also have a trilogy of skill sets (accounting/digital and data analytics skills/ leadership).” The recruitment expert: “Many CFOs at FTSE100 businesses are chartered through ACA (the ICEAW qualification), while others at start-ups or mid-tier firms tend to have an ACCA or CIMA qualification.” The training provider: “AAT’s ‘chimney-like’ progression allows school-leavers to start at Level 2/3 before becoming chartered by 21-years-old. Becoming chartered isn’t essential though. Because an AAT apprenticeship teaches you many strategic skills that help you progress towards senior leadership, I think the combination of AAT and a Level 7 qualification could be enough. Sometimes, people do MBAs. I’d argue MBAs are a bit redundant – you can pick up many skills taught on an MBA through an ICEAW qualification. Beyond that, you don’t need any additional qualifications. But continuing professional development (CPD) is critical.”
HMRC tax advisor registration standards Posted 01/05/2026 by AAT Comment & filed under Anti-money laundering, HMRC updates, Members. Tax advisor registration rules are changing. We explain what they are and who they apply to. Tax advisors who interact with HMRC on behalf of clients will be legally required to register with the authority and meet new minimum standards, starting from May 2026. There will be a transitional period of at least three months for all tax advisor groups. The registration process will be digital, with a non-digital alternative available for those who are digitally excluded. This is according to HMRC’s policy paper published on November 26 after Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented the 2025 Budget. The move follows HMRC’s October 2024 consultation raising standards in the tax advice market: strengthening the regulatory framework and improving registration. The consultation found that stakeholders strongly supported mandatory registration as it could enhance the security of tax advisor services and deter unscrupulous actors. HMRC said that registration requirements for tax advisors currently vary by service and this is creating administrative burdens and gaps in HMRC’s ability to check whether tax advisors meet minimum standards. According to HMRC, the policy will improve its ability to monitor and exclude tax advisors who are “objectively unable” to meet HMRC’s Standards for Agents or cannot lawfully act as a tax advisor. In an email to practitioners, HMRC said it will publish guidance on who needs to register and what they need to do in January 2026, with further details expected on registration timelines and transition arrangements for specific tax advisor groups. The new requirement for tax advisors to register with HMRC will be legislated for in Finance Bill 2025-26 via primary legislation. Draft legislation for the measure was published in 2025. Who will be required to register? According to the draft legislation, the rules will apply to all tax advisors, along with their senior managers, who, in the course of business, assist others with their tax affairs. This includes giving advice, acting as an agent or providing assistance with any document that is likely to be relied on by HMRC. The provision will apply irrespective of whether the advisor works for an organisation, is appointed indirectly at the request of someone other than the client and carries out activities other than assisting clients with their tax affairs. Unless the tax advisor is registered, they may not interact with HMRC in relation to the tax affairs of a client. This includes: contacting HMRC by telephone, post or email; sending a message to HMRC through a website or internet portal; filing a return, claim, notice or other document with HMRC (whether electronically or otherwise); communicating with HMRC in any other way. How to apply for registration? An application to register as a tax advisor with HMRC must contain the name and address of the advisor, the name of each senior manager of the advisor and include a statement as to whether the eligibility conditions have been met. It must also include any other information or evidence that may be specified in a notice published by HMRC. Applicants who are based in or have ties to countries outside the United Kingdom may be asked to provide different types of information or evidence, as specified in the notice. What are the eligibility requirements? To be eligible to register with HMRC and meet the minimum standards, every tax advisor and each senior manager of the advisor must not: have any outstanding tax returns or amounts of tax due if a time to pay arrangement is being followed, it does not count as an outstanding tax payment be subject to a decision by HMRC to refuse to deal with them be subject to a sanction or other measure imposed on them by HMRC in relation to tax anti-avoidance activities be subject to a suspension or suspension order, or be subject to a prohibition or permanent prohibition order be disqualified under Directors Disqualification legislation, or be subject to a similar disqualification in a territory outside the United Kingdom be insolvent. They must also not have any unspent conviction for various criminal offences including: an offence under section 20BB of the Taxes Management Act 1970 (falsification of documents) an offence under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 an offence under section 112 (false representations or obtaining benefit) or 114 (offences relating to contributions) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 an offence under the Value Added Tax Act 1994 an offence under section 35 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 (offence of fraud) an offence under the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 an offence under section 45 or 46 of the Criminal Finances Act 2017 (failure to prevent facilitation of tax evasion offences) an offence at common law of cheating the public revenue an offence under the law of any part of the United Kingdom consisting of being knowingly concerned in, or in taking steps with a view to, the fraudulent evasion of tax aiding and abetting any of the above. A further condition is that the tax advisor and each senior manager of the advisor meets any standards expected of tax advisors in their dealings with HMRC that are specified in a notice or other document published by HMRC. The advisor must be registered with an anti-money laundering supervisory authority or satisfy any alternative requirements HMRC may publish. Are there any exceptions to the requirement to register? However, there are several exceptions from the requirement to register. A tax advisor is not required to register with HMRC in any of the following circumstances: working for an organisation and interacts with HMRC solely in the course of that organisation’s business providing payroll, or other tax or accounting, software to a client for use in relation to their tax affairs handling matters relating to a duty of customs or a duty of excise or import VAT acting as a VAT representative handling the tax affairs of a group undertaking appealing HMRC decisions to a court or tribunal. What are the penalties for non-compliance? Tax advisors who do not meet the minimum standards or registration conditions will be suspended from interacting with HMRC on behalf of clients until they do meet standards. Sanctions may also apply where tax advisors attempt to circumvent the registration requirements or fail to meet HMRC’s minimum registration standards. If a tax advisor fails to register, HMRC will issue a Compliance Notice. If the advisor does not register after receiving this notice, they may face a £5,000 penalty, which could increase to £10,000 for repeated violations. A £10,000 penalty will be imposed if tax advisors work while they are suspended or banned from being registered. In situations where the breach results from the actions or omissions of a senior manager of the tax advisor, penalties will be imposed on those individuals, who will bear personal liability. Where a tax advisor’s registration has been suspended for more than 30 days, the advisor must take reasonable steps to notify each of their clients about the suspension within 30 days from the 31st day of the suspension. Failure to notify clients will result in liability for a penalty of £5,000. What are the costs of the scheme? Continuing costs for tax advisor firms will include the requirement to provide annual assurances of HMRC’s minimum registration conditions, including anti-money laundering (AML) supervision status and the certification and translation of documents for overseas tax advisor. However, HMRC said as the “vast majority” of tax advisors, both UK based and overseas, are already required to hold AML supervision to operate legally, this will not introduce a new burden.
What to do when you feel like giving up – AAT students share their turning points Posted 12/18/2025 by Sophie Cross & filed under Students. We spoke to three AAT students who nearly walked away from their qualifications about what made them stay. We’ve all been there. Staring at revision notes that might as well be written in a foreign language, questioning whether this whole AAT journey is worth it, and wondering if we’ve bitten off more than we can chew. The fact is that nearly every AAT student has had moments where giving up felt like the only sensible option. The students who make it through aren’t superhuman. They’re just people who found a way to take one more step forward, even when everything felt impossible. When life doesn’t pause for your studies For Marie Thomas, 2024 brought challenges that would test anyone’s resolve. “My mother-in-law has recently died, and prior to this she was poorly with a brain tumour and dementia,” she explains. “On top of this grieving, I have numerous chronic health conditions, severe anxiety and depression and ill health, and my son is autistic with complex mental health needs. I was very close to giving up and had a feeling that I was unable to power through. I lack confidence, and it’s hard trying to study when your body doesn’t want to play along.” Erin Stevenson faced a similar juggling act in 2024. “I was spread incredibly thin between working full time, studying, running my own bookkeeping business part-time and having to go back and forth to the hospital daily to help with my mum, who was in for a period of time. I was so exhausted that studying became really difficult to keep up with and harder still to retain the information.” Marie and Erin’s experiences represent the reality that many AAT students juggle significant personal challenges alongside their studies. If you are one of these people, you are not alone. Finding your people can change everything Emma-Louise Waple found the isolation of the journey alongside the struggles of family life particularly challenging. “I found AAT to be very lonely to begin with. That was the problem I found with self-studying. Being stuck at home and no one there to turn to for reassurance.” But Emma-Louise came up with a brilliant solution that, in turn, has helped countless more AAT students. At the 2024 accelerATTe student conference, Emma-Louise set up the AAT Bookkeeping/Accounting Study Group on Facebook. “My group grew and grew, and it was those people who have supported me along the way, to carry on and have allowed me to grow and now become a member and get my AATQB.” For Marie, finding that same online community proved transformative. “The main thing that has kept me studying and not giving up is being part of the study group that was created by Emma-Louise Waple. They are so supportive, like a family, and we have tutors in there giving their time for free to help students like me.” What keeps you going when everything says stop Marie, Erin and Emma-Louise each managed to find different anchors when things got tough. For Marie, it was a combination of practical support and community. “My training provider has been a great support; they have put no time pressure on me, which is a huge help. AAT have adapted my exams to allow extra time to allow for my fatigue, pain, and anxiety.” Erin’s motivation came from a more personal place. “When people have outwardly not believed in me, I tend to double down and do the thing. I have severe dyslexia, and I like to challenge myself to do things in spite of this. I’ve always loved maths, but failed it at school when it got to all the formulas and showing workings, so I abandoned it to follow my creative pathways. Years down the line, I found myself returning to a love of numbers, so I don’t think I could give it up. I think I need to prove it to myself that I can do this.” Emma-Louise’s inspiration centres around the supportive community she’s been instrumental in building. “I am now lucky enough to be able to support many students who were in the same boat as I was nearly two years ago, struggling, finding AAT hard,” she says. “Finding the struggles of family life and studying is difficult. But together we have become a family, a community where we don’t just study, we share our problems, we share our lives.” The most important lesson we can take from these students is that setbacks aren’t failures – they’re part of the process. Erin sat her DAIF exam recently and didn’t pass, but she responded in the best possible way: “To me, this means I now know exactly where my struggles are, and I can focus and push hard to get better at these areas.” Marie is so glad she didn’t give up and is now booked for her FAPS exam. “It’s a huge module, but with the support I have had, I feel confident that I am going to pass.” Take the next step on your individual AAT journey If you’re reading this and wondering whether you should carry on, here are some last pieces of encouragement from these inspirational students… Marie says: “Don’t give up, there is always support out there, and remember, never compare yourself to others. You are a unique, wonderful human, and just because someone finishes their course quicker than you, doesn’t mean this is a reflection on your ability and your knowledge. We are all on our own personal journeys, with our own timetables and responsibilities and remember, the tortoise won the race in the end!” Erin encourages you to reconnect with your purpose: “Think of your ‘why?’ Why did you want to do this in the first place? Every journey is individual, so comparing to others, whether it’s those going for distinction or speed, if that’s not what’s important to you, try not to get hung up on it. Just focus on the subject you are on, practice as much as you can and with time, it’s achievable. Lean on your peers and communities for help.” Emma-Louise adds: “I say to everyone, either doing their AAT, or thinking of doing AAT, don’t be afraid, do it. It’s an amazing experience. Reach out to us all. Students, members and tutors are here to support you. There is a long road ahead of you, but make it enjoyable, ride that roller coaster, but let’s do it together, holding hands and with a massive smile.” Further reading How to build your personal brand while studying AAT How to overcome setbacks and ace your qualification We answer your most common concerns when it comes to studying with AAT
How to build your personal brand while studying AAT Posted 12/18/2025 by Sophie Cross & filed under Students. Building your personal brand while you’re studying AAT isn’t just about boosting your CV – it’s about developing confidence, making connections and opening doors to opportunities you might not even know exist yet. You don’t need to wait until you’re qualified to start making your mark in the finance world. Think of your personal brand as your professional reputation in action. It’s how potential employers, fellow students and industry professionals think about you. You’re already building one, whether you realise it or not, but are you building it intentionally? Why start now? You might be thinking, “I barely have time to study, let alone worry about personal branding”. But building your brand doesn’t mean adding hours to your already packed schedule. It’s about making the most of what you’re already doing and being strategic about how you present yourself. Starting while you’re studying gives you a massive advantage. You’ll stand out in a competitive job market where employers are seeking candidates who demonstrate initiative. You’ll build credibility slowly but surely, rather than scrambling to establish yourself when you’re job hunting. Plus, you’ll connect with and learn from experienced professionals who can guide your development, and you might even find opportunities landing in your lap that were never advertised. Building momentum on LinkedIn Think of LinkedIn as your professional network online, and it’s much more than a digital CV. It’s where you can show off your growing expertise, engage with industry content, and get in touch with people who can influence your career trajectory. Here are three things you can do to grow your personal brand on LinkedIn: 1. Your profile page forms the foundationYour profile photo matters – use a clear, professional-looking headshot where you appear approachable. Your headline shouldn’t just say “AAT Student”. Instead, try something like “AAT Level 3 Student | Aspiring Management Accountant | Passionate about financial analysis”. This tells people who you are and where you’re headed. In your ‘About’ section, share your story briefly. Why did you choose accounting? What interests you about the profession? What level are you studying? Keep it real and conversational, showing a bit of your personality – this isn’t a formal cover letter. 2. Share what you’re learningPost about topics that genuinely interest you. The key is consistency, not perfection. Aim to share something once a week, even if it’s just commenting thoughtfully on someone else’s post. If you’ve completed a tricky assignment, share some tips; if you’ve read an interesting article, give your opinion. Posts don’t need to be lengthy – even a few lines showing you’re engaged with the industry will help build your presence. If you can, add a real-life picture to your post to make it more engaging. 3. Connect strategicallyDon’t connect with people randomly; choose carefully, and when you send connection requests, personalise them with a message. Mention where you met them, came across their profile, or reference a post they shared that resonated with you. Connect with AAT tutors, fellow students from your course, the online Learning Portal or local branch, and accounting professionals in industries that interest you. If you attend AAT events or webinars, follow up by connecting with people you meet. Make networking work for you Networking often feels daunting, especially when you’re still studying, but it’s not about working a room with business cards or selling yourself; it’s about having genuine conversations with people who share your professional interests. Start with AAT’s communityYour AAT membership gives you access to forums, local branches, and events specifically designed for students and members. These are safe spaces to practice networking without pressure. Ask questions in forums, attend virtual study groups, or join local branch meetings. Everyone there understands what it’s like to study while building a career. Don’t be a lurkerAt events or in online spaces, contribute to conversations. Share an insight from your studies, ask thoughtful questions, or offer help if you can. People remember those who add value, not those who just collect contacts. Follow up meaningfullyMet someone interesting at an AAT event? Send them a LinkedIn message within a day or two, mentioning something specific from your conversation. This will turn a short encounter into a genuine connection. Let your confidence grow You don’t need to pretend to know everything or position yourself as an expert when you’re still learning. Show up and demonstrate that you’re curious, committed, proactive and thoughtful. Don’t wait until you feel ready or qualified enough (there will always be more steps to take, and you’ll never start). Everyone feels nervous at first, but the only way to grow your confidence is to get going. You have a unique position and a valuable perspective – as a student, you’re learning the latest approaches, you’re hungry for knowledge, and you’re thinking critically about the industry you’re entering. Practical steps you can take this week Ready to start building your personal brand? Here are things you can do right now: Update your LinkedIn profile with a professional photo and a headline that reflects your aspirations, not just your current study status. Share one post about something you’ve learned recently in your AAT studies – even if it’s three sentences about a concept that clicked for you. Connect with five people: a fellow AAT student, someone from your local branch (if you attend), a professional whose content you admire, and two others in roles you find interesting. Set aside 15 minutes twice a week to engage on LinkedIn (put this in your calendar). Use it to comment on posts, share articles that interest you, or contribute to discussions in AAT groups. Don’t overthink it more than showing up, being helpful and being yourself. Your personal brand won’t be built overnight, but starting now means you won’t be starting from scratch by the time you qualify. You’ll already have connections, credibility, and confidence, and that’s a huge advantage in any job market. Further reading How to feel part of the community when studying remotely What is AAT’s student advisory group and how can it help you? The power of peer mentoring: top tips for learning from the students around you
Accountants tell us about the client behaviour they most value – and find hardest to deal with Posted 12/16/2025 by Georgia Lewis & filed under Client relations, Members. Relationship management can be hard. Here’s what some accountants are dealing with, from last-minute filings to withholding fees. The relationship between an accountant and a client is ideally one of cooperation, trust and mutual respect. But sometimes, clients can make things more difficult and this can have an impact on how an accountant can help them manage their finances. We asked accountants about the ways clients can contribute to a bumpy relationship, or keep things running smoothly. Read requests properly and don’t always believe ChatGPT Claire Owen-Jones, Accountant and Bookkeeper, Loud & Clear Accounting Sometimes clients self-select the information I need to do their tax returns or accounts, and then get annoyed when figures are not correct. It doesn’t matter how many times I ask or what checklists I send, if they don’t believe that I need it, they won’t provide it. They also commonly omit information about small part-time jobs that they have taken alongside their business income, as it’s already been taxed, so they don’t understand why I need it. I’ve had clients tell me I have all the information, only to suddenly remember additional expenses paid from person accounts – often multiple times – when they discover their tax bill. This means we have to keep reviewing and re-doing figures that should have only taken one or two rounds. And clients shouldn’t do their bookkeeping in excel, but then save it as a PDF and email that to me. I don’t recommend clients ask ChatGPT for advice. I’m not anti-AI, but clients often believe what ChatGPT says above anything else and sometimes I’m not in the mood to waste my time arguing as to why I am right. Making big decisions mid-year in secret and then announcing it later on – like buying sports cars through the company – can lead to clients being surprised at any tax or accounting consequences. Clients should contact their accountant if they know there is going to be a change in their business. This could be something like a sudden increase or decrease in turnover, so we can talk about it and make a plan, rather than waiting until the year end, or right before a deadline, when something reasonably minimal at the time has grown into a big problem. And please read requests for information properly. If I ask for bank statements for a set date, I don’t need statements for different accounts, random dates, or statements that start from the beginning of time. If I ask for them as a CSV file, I don’t want PDFs and I certainly don’t want jpegs. Leaving your tax returns and accounts until the very last minute – and then emailing me every day to remind me of the deadline and how you are worried that we might miss it – is not helpful when you’ve had nine months to get this information to me. Finally, don’t use email like an instant message service. 14 emails in 30 minutes isn’t helpful. Can we just have a quick phone call? The best form of appreciation is paying the fee promptly Andrew Cowe, Tax Advisory, Brearley & Co: It should never be underestimated how much an accountant appreciates a simple “thank you”. That said, kind words alone don’t contribute to office costs, employee salaries or overall business profit. The best form of appreciation for good advice received is simply paying the associated fee note promptly. And word-of-mouth recommendations are greatly appreciated, of course. If the best thing a client can do is pay our fee note promptly, then by definition the worst thing they can do is withhold payment without due cause or explanation. Naturally, there may be queries over the amount or, on occasion, an exceptional cash flow issue. In such cases, matters can usually be resolved, as long as clients communicate with us. Simply being ignored implies that what we do is not valued. We won’t file anything until the work has been paid for Sylvia Bourhill, Managing Director, Another Answer Bookkeeping & Accounts Clients can really help by keeping everything, preferably in electronic format so it can be easily reconciled; linking all bank accounts and credit cards to their software; and sending everything we ask for on time. And finally we really appreciate it when our clients answer their emails! Some clients do their own bookkeeping, thinking that will make it cheaper. But it makes more work for us as we have to check everything. A client complained that her accounts showed too much spent on utilities and not enough on rent, because she had misposted it. Unrealistic expectations can be challenging, such as responding to key questions slowly and then expecting accounts to be produced, reviewed internally and by the client and filed in three weeks. There are several other client actions that make things more difficult, such as not answering the question that you actually ask them, or only answering the first question and not reading the others; and providing PDFs instead of spreadsheet information when requested, so calculations have to be done manually, rather than a simple formula. Payroll-specific challenges include not notifying us of salient information till 4pm on the submission day; remembering that there was a new starter or overtime or holiday pay or maternity leave or pay increases after payroll has been prepared; and not signing off until the last minute. Not paying on time causes issues, although we now get all clients to pay via direct debit and we won’t file anything until the work has been paid for.
Becoming the sustainable accountant your clients need Posted 12/15/2025 by Olivia Fisher & filed under Climate change, Members, Sustainable Business. The final part of a mini-series on sustainability: how we made the shift and how you can too. At The Green Accountants, we discovered that building sustainability into our firm wasn’t complicated; it just required structure and consistency. We followed a simple four-stage journey that any practice can adapt. Educate. We invested time in carbon-literacy training so everyone understood the issues and could talk confidently with clients. Plan. We mapped our environmental impact, set clear goals and identified ways to help clients do the same. Implement. We put our plan into action by reducing our own footprint and launching a sustainability-consulting service which created a new revenue stream in the process. Review. Each year we measure results for ourselves and our clients, refining what works and sharing progress openly. This framework proved that sustainability isn’t separate from accounting and works hand-in-hand. It improved efficiency, attracted purpose-driven clients and opened new opportunities for growth. If you’re ready to start, begin where we did: educate, strategise, implement and assess. Building sustainability into your services and marketing Once you’ve started making progress, share it. Communicating your sustainability efforts is how new and existing clients, stakeholders, and partners can see your commitment, guiding their next actions. Include sustainability questions in year-end meetings, and highlight your firm’s progress on your website and social channels. The aim isn’t to self-promote, but to show that your actions match your values. When clients see their accountant leading the way, it opens the door for them to feel confident in asking for advice and support. The opportunity ahead For accountants, sustainability is a practical way to strengthen your firm. It keeps you relevant in a changing market, opens new areas of advice and deepens client relationships. At The Green Accountants, we’ve seen the benefits first-hand: stronger client loyalty, new service opportunities and measurable cost savings. It’s proof that purpose and profit can go hand in hand. Learn more The Green Accountants, who wrote this article, will be delivering an ESG reporting masterclass for AAT on 15 January 2026. This practical course shows accountants how to collect, analyse and report on ESG data with rigour. They also recently ran an exclusive webinar for AAT members. To learn more, members can log into the AAT Learning Portal, click on Featured CPD and look for Sustainability – CPD Bitesize for practical learning outcomes on the evolving role of finance professionals. Read part one, part two and part three of this mini-series here. ESG Reporting for Accountants Sustainability is a reporting reality. Learn to connect sustainability insights to financial performance with our AAT Masterclass. Sign up now