AAT welcomes ‘strong’ FY performance amid challenging environment

The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) has welcomed a year of “strong performance” despite a challenging operating environment, noting that it has been able to “protect and develop” services to students and members, while adopting “more agile” ways of working.

The findings come from its latest annual report, which found the AAT has been focused on the themes of responsiveness, agility and decisiveness, with the new report showing the impact it has had on people’s lives and careers, on businesses, and on economies. 

The positive annual report highlights that between 2021-22 the association has ensured that qualifications continue to “meet the demands of the modern world”. This was ensured through the AAT’s successfully delivered launch of its new Qualifications 2022 in September 2022. 

It is reported that for the first time, AAT also gave access to remote invigilation for select assessments, which allowed students to continue to progress with their qualifications despite Covid-19 restrictions.

The AAT also launched a new Accountable campaign, which was shortlisted in the Tolley’s Taxation Awards 2022 and continued to raise awareness of professional standards and the need to bring all accountants under the supervision of a professional membership body.

In addition, the first-ever virtual conference for AAT students, ‘accelerAATe 2022’, was piloted with more than 2,270 students logging on. Informi, the AAT’s free website with practical and expert advice for small businesses, also continued to support SMEs with resources to help their businesses survive and thrive.

Sarah Beale, chief executive of AAT, said: “I joined AAT in a year like no other, against the backdrop of a complex and uncertain political and financial environment. Despite external storms, I’m delighted that we continued to be the largest awarding body, operating at a high quality level to provide life-changing financial qualifications, as well as further developing support for our members.

“The 2021-2022 financial year saw AAT deliver a strong performance in a challenging operating environment. AAT has been able to protect and develop services to students and members, while adopting more agile ways of working for colleagues and customers alike.”

She added: “In the new year, we’ll share our long-term aspirations and vision for AAT, presenting what we would like to achieve and become by 2030. We see a role and contribution from AAT that’s much broader than qualifications and membership alone. 

“We want to have a greater impact on the wider profession and society, delivering our charitable objectives and building an even stronger voice to influence government policy, on behalf of the profession.”