Annual report and accounts - President's report

It has been an honour to serve as AAT President in this very special year.

If the hugely successful Olympic Games in London taught us anything, it is this: that the seemingly impossible can be achieved with the right vision, planning, application and collective effort. I like to think AAT follows a similar mantra in serving its members.

One of my big concerns as President is that students sign up seeing AAT as a stepping stone to becoming a chartered accountant. That is a legitimate path for many, but not all. That’s where AAT steps in, because the AAT qualification offers fantastic credibility in its own right.

That credibility is all underpinned by high standards of competency and professional conduct. In doing this it ensures that its members behave professionally and ethically, comply with AAT regulations and relevant legislation, and keep their skills and competence up to date.

A big focus this year, in particular, has been the issue of professional ethics. A spate of tax avoidance stories in the news throughout the past year has ensured the ethical dilemmas we face as finance professionals have never had a higher profile.

To assist students and members with this increasingly-important area, AAT launched a bespoke ethics website in October 2012. The site offers articles, podcasts and videos to help members get under the skin of this vital subject.

What the new site illustrates so well is the way new technology can be harnessed to educate and communicate. This is something AAT continues to embrace with its successful e-learning materials, computer based assessments and launch of the new AAT website. I have been doing my bit too by engaging with our members using social media, as well as in person, as much as possible.

But that’s just the start. The past year has shown that great things can be achieved no matter what barriers are put in the way. With new technology at the forefront of its work, AAT is better placed than ever to continue to help its members thrive and grow.

Henry Cooper FMAAT
AAT President, 2012-2013