Members' Advisory Council
The Members' Advisory Council (MAC), launched in October 2024, provides a voice that represents views and perspectives from across AAT's membership, ensuring members can actively contribute their insights, share perspectives, and make recommendations to help shape AAT's future. This new body will amplify the membership voice within AAT's governance structure, ensuring our community stays at the very heart of AAT's development.
The MAC comprises up to 50 members who are either elected or co-opted to the body for a three-year term. Chaired by the AAT President, the MAC's primary role is to represent members, reflect their diverse insights, and provide advice to AAT and the Board on matters affecting the AAT community. Through focused discussions and active engagement with both AAT's membership and the wider profession, the MAC gathers diverse perspectives to help inform AAT's strategic direction. The MAC harnesses its members' professional insights drawn from a broad mix of individuals representing AAT's membership across sectors, geography, and levels of seniority.
The MAC is responsible for electing AAT's Vice President from among its members, who then transitions into the role of President after a year. A MAC appointee also serves on the Board, linking governance and representation within the organisation.
Role of MAC members
MAC members play a vital role in shaping AAT's future by actively engaging with fellow members and the wider community, contributing to strategic discussions, and ensuring the diverse views of AAT's community are heard at the highest level of decision making. They're expected to participate in regular meetings, provide feedback on key industry and membership issues, and support AAT's initiatives by offering their professional insights.
In addition to their advisory role, MAC members act as ambassadors for AAT. They represent and champion AAT externally through activities such as judging industry awards, attending third-party events, and advocating for the value of professional membership, accounting technicians, and AAT pathways.
To be eligible, MAC members must be an active full (MAAT), fellow (FMAAT) or licensed member of AAT.
Elections for MAC member roles are run yearly in line with the Annual General Meeting timeline or when there are new vacancies to be filled.
President: Lucy Cohen
MBA, FMAAT
- President of AAT and Chair of the Members’ Advisory Council
- Co-Founder: Mazuma, elected member, joined 2022
Lucy co-founded Mazuma, the UK's first accountancy subscription service. She became an AAT fellow member in 2011 and received the AAT Past Presidents' Award in 2022. A multi-award-winning entrepreneur and best-selling author, her book Forget the First Million won Best Short Business Book at the Business Book Awards 2022.
Vice President: Craig Dyer
MAAT, AATQB
- Elected member, joined April 2025
Craig is a small accountancy business owner and former Assistant Head Teacher, bringing strategic insight and leadership skills to the MAC. Passionate about education and professional development, he champions AAT’s student and apprenticeship models. Alongside running his business, Craig gives back to the community through grassroots football, school governance, and tutoring.
Stephen Aldwinckle MAAT
- Elected member, joined April 2025
Stephen is an experienced accountant and business owner, running his own firm for 14 years. Specialising in supporting owner-managed businesses, he is passionate about raising professional standards and ensuring AAT members have the resources they need to succeed. As a finance governor at an independent school, Stephen values education and collaboration to strengthen the accounting profession.
Alexis Charkiw MAAT
- Secretary of the AAT South Wales Branch
Founder and CEO of Right Click Accounting and Business Consultant at Blackline Academy, Alexis's team supports UK businesses embrace digital, real-time reporting solutions. She regularly hosts training workshops for her community and has spoken at AAT branch events and panels. Committed to the technological development of members, she brings the right skills to the MAC to support this work.
Bev Flanagan MAAT
- Former AAT Council member
Bev Flanagan is a multi-award-winning accountant with over 30 years of experience. After scaling and selling her own 100% cloud-based practice, she became a business coach for accountants and bookkeepers. She now mentors professionals through The Elite Accounting Community and The Elite Accounting Academy and speaks regularly at industry events, helping firms grow, improve efficiency, and attract ideal clients.
Jac Owen Hughes MAAT
Jac has been a member of AAT since 2024, having commenced his studies straight from school. Jack has a sound understanding of the early-career environment of the accountancy profession. He is devoted to the advocacy and development of early-career accountants through AAT pathways, and to ensuring their challenges and needs are reflected through the MAC’s work.
Tim Nicholls FMAAT
- Elected member, joined April 2025
Tim has been an AAT member for 27 years, working in senior finance roles across multiple sectors. Currently part of the senior leadership team of a major UK charity, he has also served as an AAT Council member and trustee for various organisations. Committed to governance and professional development, he seeks to support AAT's continued growth.
Phillip Toomer FMAAT
- AAT tutor for First Intuition
- Former Members’ Assembly member
Phil is part of the First Intuition distance learning team and looks after the online live programme.
He was shortlisted in 2019 for AAT Tutor of the Year and became an AAT fellow member in 2023.
