Make your hard work pay off AAT professional membership for finance and accounting graduates
Gain AAT professional membership with your degree By graduating from one of AAT s partner universities with an accounting or finance degree, you could become an AAT professional member and instantly add value to your degree. As the professional body for accounting technicians, we believe that everyone working in accounting or finance should be supported and regulated by a professional body. Professional membership improves the reputation of those working in the industry by assuring employers of your commitment to keep up to date, increasing your own status and employability. Working with our partner universities, you could achieve professional membership as soon as you graduate, setting you apart from others looking for jobs in the finance and accounting field. To find out more and to see a list of our partner universities, visit aat.org.uk/membership/routes-to-maat Visit aat.org.uk/membership/routes-to-maat 3
Why should I join AAT? Improve your employability You ve worked hard to gain your degree, but in a competitive job market how can you stand out from the crowd? As a full member of AAT you gain the internationally recognised designation, MAAT, after your name, giving you instant recognition for what you have achieved. This designation is sought after by employers who are confident in our standards. MAAT is the quality mark that can be a decisive factor for an organisation when recruiting accounting and finance staff. Being a MAAT can boost your earnings above those of non-aat members, bringing greater responsibility, job satisfaction and career rewards. You could join more than 4,000 AAT members running their own practice, regulated and supported by AAT. Increase your immediate earnings potential It is shown that you could earn a higher salary straight out of university if you hold MAAT status*. With an annual membership fee of 136, the figures speak for themselves. Average salary for MAAT 24,534 Average starting salary for finance and accounting graduates 21,551 Become your own boss You don t have to be chartered to be in practice. If you are planning to become self-employed and offer accounting services to the public, you could join more than 4,000 AAT members running their own practice, regulated and supported by AAT. Through our members in practice scheme, members provide accounting, taxation and consultancy services on a self-employed basis. We are also a supervisory authority in the UK for anti-money laundering and issue practicing licenses to self-employed members. *Sources: AAT and Robert Half Salary Survey 2013 and The Graduate Recruitment Bureau 4 Make your hard work pay off and become a professional member of AAT.
Average salary for MAAT Vs Visit aat.org.uk/membership/routes-to-maat 5
how Can aat MeMbership help Me? Resources to kick start your career in finance AAT membership gives you access to a huge range of online and offline resources aimed at supporting you at various stages of your career. If you are currently looking for a job, our online CV builder will help you to create a winning CV, while our job search hosts thousands of job opportunities across the world. And make sure you check out the support on how to make the most out of job hunting online with social media. Once you ve made it to the next stage, our interview simulator and employer videos will give you tips on how to answer difficult interview questions, what to wear on the day, and important self-development skills. We also hold regular specialist career events with top speakers from recruitment experts, employers and career specialists. Perfect if you re looking for your dream job and need some career advice. Keep your knowledge and skills fresh Even when you have established your career in finance, the learning doesn t stop there. Accountancy is an ever changing industry and you need to keep up to date with new reporting standards, tax regulations and much more. As an AAT member, you gain access to interactive tools, free and discounted events, topical articles, monthly newsletters and award winning e-learning, all delivered by leading experts within the industry. Join a body of 50,000 finance professionals Our huge network offers you unlimited opportunities to share ideas, ask questions and increase your career prospects, either online through our forums or face to face at events. As part of your AAT membership you gain access to our branch network, providing local free events on topical subjects and widening your professional network. It only takes one conversation with the right person for your career to take off. 97% of our members would recommend AAT From our Annual Member Survey 2013 6 Make your hard work pay off and become a professional member of AAT.
AAT will help boost your career and it is a world recognised status to possess for a long term career in accountancy. AAT membership has increased my confidence, raised my profile and elevated me to a more senior position. Annie-Lee Cox MAAT Corporate Tax Assistant, Arnold Hill & Co LLP Visit aat.org.uk/membership/routes-to-maat 7
how Can aat MeMbership help Me? Support and guidance from an industry leader We champion high standards of practice within the accounting industry and are always here to support our members we do this through our technical and ethical advice lines, along with supporting resources such as our ethics site at aatethics.org.uk We are well regarded for our public affairs work, supporting the profession through working with HMRC and government on key policies and consultations. We also realise that our members may want to progress onto further studies, either with a chartered body, or into a specialist area of finance and accounting. That s why we offer a discounted membership fee if you study with another body. Discounts on work and leisure activities You could save the cost of membership through making use of our benefits package, AAT Additions, to access discounts on a wide range of products and services. There is something for everyone, from discounts on cinema tickets, hotels, popular attractions and restaurants, through to car insurance and legal advice. Think of AAT Additions as a replacement to the NUS discount which was provided by your university. Did you know we offer a discounted membership fee if you study with another body? 8 Make your hard work pay off and become a professional member of AAT.
I recommend AAT full membership, it comes with a whole range of benefits, from online resources to career events. Jamie Carrahar MAAT Tutor, BPP Visit aat.org.uk/membership/routes-to-maat 9
So how do I get started? You re just a few small steps away from boosting your career potential with AAT full membership. We ve made the application simple, while still ensuring we maintain the high standards that employers and the industry expect from AAT professionals. We have mapped the AAT qualification to finance and accounting degrees offered by our partner universities and are satisfied that through your degree you have already met the education equivalent to go straight into full membership. However, we also require evidence of work experience to ensure you are fully competent at delivering practical finance and accounting skills. 1. Application: visit aat.org.uk/membership/routes-to-maat to check your university and degree programme is recognised by AAT and download the application form and guidance notes. 2. Evidence: demonstrate your competence through workplace evidence in one area of finance or accounting and against personal effectiveness competencies, such as teamwork this can be experience gained on a sandwich degree, during your studies, or since you have graduated. 3. Reference: provide a professional reference from an employer who will recommend you as suitable to become a full member of AAT. 4. Test: sit the AAT professional competency test a computer based assessment designed to test your understanding of the basic foundations of accounting and professional ethics. 5. Fees: pay your membership fees visit aat.org.uk/fees for our current fees. For more information and to apply for AAT full membership, please visit aat.org.uk/membership/routes-to-maat If you have any questions, our Membership Support team will be happy to help. Call +44 (0)20 3735 2401 or email membershipsupport@aat.org.uk 10 Make your hard work pay off and become a professional member of AAT.
Further information If you have any questions our Membership Support team will be happy to help. Call +44 (0)20 3735 2401 or email membershipsupport@aat.org.uk Association of Accounting Technicians 140 Aldersgate Street London EC1A 4HY t: +44 (0)20 3735 2401 f: +44 (0)20 7397 3009 e: aat@aat.org.uk w: aat.org.uk Registered charity no. 1050724 51830814-1,000