Association of Accounting Technicians

The Association of Accounting Technicians, or AAT, is an accountancy organisation with over 108,000 members worldwide. The AAT is a technician level qualification which entitles those who have completed the exams and obtained relevant supervised work experience to call themselves associate accounting technicians. The AAT is based in London but there are branches all over the UK and the rest of the world.

Professional recognition

The body is sponsored by four of the UK chartered accountancy bodies. These are:
* The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA);
* The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW);
* The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS); and
* The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).

AAT versus CAT

The one UK chartered accountancy body which does not sponsor the AAT is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). This organisation used to be a sponsor of the AAT but broke away in order to form a rival body which offers the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) qualification. The ACCA implemented this policy as it wanted a technician level qualification which followed the same business model which it did, ie. one with a global presence.

AAT in Scotland

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland are also keen that the AAT qualification fits into its own business model. It presently has no plans to develop an ICAS technician qualification in direct competition with the AAT's UK model as proposed by some in the late 1990s. Crucially it has remained a sponsoring body since the inception of the AAT. Some of the ICAS membership are keen to go down a fully branded ICAS Technician route. To date the ICAS branding of AAT in Scotland is producing tangible results given the strength of both organisations.

Examinations

The AAT exams are held twice a year. Once qualified the individual can work in a variety of finance functions at technician level or go on to study to be a chartered accountant through taking the exams of one of its sponsor bodies or indeed the ACCA.

Accounting Technicians, when certified as being experienced and competent, can perform exactly the same tasks in a financial environment as most qualified Chartered Accountants. The main differences being that in the UK Accounting Technicians can not sign off companies audit reports and need to have Reporting Accountant status in order to examine and sign off, the financial accounts for audit exempt charities. If they are also qualified Chartered Accountants then this may not be the case.

Qualifications

The AAT Intermediate qualification (S/NVQ 3 level) has become the first vocational qualification to be approved for the university entrance points system has been valued higher than an A grade at A-level. The NVQ is credited at 160 UCAS points (40 more than an "A" in A-Level) [ [http://www.tes.co.uk/2351277 Times Education Supplement - published 09/03/2007 (website accessed 23/03/2007)] ] . The final AAT qualification, AAT Technican, is equivalent to S/NVQ level 4.

Areas of Vocational Expertise and Academic Competence

Accounting Technicians perform similar work based tasks to those members of its sponsoring bodies. The main exclusion here being that it is not possible for an AAT Member to sign off an auditors report. However, they can, if additionally they hold a practising certificate with one of the sponsoring bodies regulated and authorised to do so- produce audit reports. The AAT is now one of the accountancy bodies in the UK allowed to let its suitably experienced and qualified members perform independent examinations of charities accounts. Subject of course to the audit exemption thresholds for incorporated charities.

Employer AccreditationNew AAT employer accreditation scheme recognises employers with a positive and planned approach to the professional development of their AAT members, whether through studying for an AAT qualification or, once qualified, supporting them in their continuing professional development.

AAT Accredited Employer Scheme shows employers commitment to their staff and their professional development. More importantly it provides the employer with a range of benefits including:

Full and fellow members will automatically meet their mandatory CPD requirements by following their employers training and development processes Support in managing student member's Advice on trainee recruitment and funding AAT Accredited Employer logo and certificate.

Current list of AAT Accredited Employers is available at http://www.aat.org.uk/accredit/employers

ee also

*British Accountant

External links

* [http://www.frc.org.uk/images/uploaded/documents/5th%20Edition%20Key%20Facts%20and%20Trends%20Final090807.pdf Key Facts and Trends in the UK Accountancy Profession - July 2007]
* [http://www.aat.org.uk/ AAT website]

References