AAT launches Business School to help accountants develop essential skills

16 September 2019

AAT Business School

AAT has announced the launch of its new Business School, which aims to equip accountants with the skills they require to protect, grow or reinvent their business practice.

Open to both AAT members and non-members, the school is beginning with two one-day courses to be hosted by Darren Shirlaw, co-founder of The BoB Group (Business of Brand). These courses, which are being held at AAT’s London office in Barbican, will focus on driving growth and new clientele, followed by looking at pricing to maximise earnings.

Darren said: “Financial forecasting and growth strategy is the future of a company. If we can get the accountancy industry out of analysing the past, it will put them in the boardroom working with managers whilst they are making growth decisions.

“Delegates that come to the AAT Business School will pick up a number of skills. Some of these will be the analysis and mathematical skills of looking at profit and loss statements in a different way; others will be focusing on business strategy, using the skills that we have today but in a futuristic context.”

Watch Darren explain the new AAT Business School and the initial two-day programme

Jannine Edgar, AAT Director of Finance and Operations, said: “It’s no trade secret that the role of the accountant is evolving, and AAT members will want to be at the forefront of industry change. The AAT Business School, developed as part of a shift in our CPD programme, is designed to equip accountants with the skills needed for success while the landscape around them changes.

“In time, we hope to broaden out the school so that accountants will be encouraged to bring their clients along, allowing all affected parties to learn how to improve their financial growth strategies.”

AAT Business School – forthcoming events