Youngest person ever to qualify with the AAT

Nilima Bhagi has successfully completed the AAT qualification at just 16 years of age and in doing so has become the youngest person ever to qualify with the AAT.

Based in Botswana, Nilima studied with the Gaborone Institute of Professional Studies. She uncommonly took all her exams in two sittings and went to qualify in 16 months - half the time it is usually recommended.

Says Nillima; "I had never studied accounting before. I liked the subject but I never had the guts to take it because I had heard that it's very tough. The AAT made it easier for me, as it's broken down into stages and so I could understand it.

I started studying full time, but due to a change in my finances, I did my Technician level myself. I took my Foundation and Intermediate Levels at one time so that I could finish quicker.

I chose the AAT because I want to be a Chartered Accountant. I am going to progress on to CIMA. I will get exemptions from some of the units on the basis of my AAT qualification. After finishing CIMA I would like to sit for few more exams and get my ACCA qualification as well. After that I'd like to be an active member of a professional organisation.

I want people to recognize accounting as a necessity rather than just a qualification because businesses and organisations are reaching new heights and competition is tough, Accounting has become the backbone of all these organisations. I think that AAT is the first and the most important step for people wanting to choose accounting as a career."