AAT - Balancing ambition for students

Everyone talks about the skills gap in accounting, but many aspiring finance professionals would argue that the bigger challenge is gaining experience in the first place.

Join Zoe and our guests – Becky Glover and Savannah Daley – as they explore what employers are really looking for in today’s entry-level candidates, how expectations are evolving, and practical steps students and early-career accountants can take to build the skills and experience that matter most.

It’s important to start building trust from day one of your career. 

In the third episode of Balancing ambition, we explore the behaviours you can develop to help make a positive impression during placements, interviews and internships, and that can form a foundation for your whole career.

Whether you think AI is a friend or foe, there’s no denying it’s shaking up the accountancy industry and changing the skills students need as they prepare for their next step.

From critical thinking to communication, technical knowledge and real-world experience, the second episode of Balancing ambition explores the skills people need to focus on as they look to start and grow their careers.

Guests

Ali Jaw, founder and director of Severn Accounting

John Toon, chartered accountant, speaker, consultant and investor  

Students feeling the pressure to have it all figured out before they’ve finished their qualification can take inspiration from the squiggly careers of some true AAT success stories. Plus, get top tips for exam prep and valuable advice to help navigate your learning journey. 

Guests:

James Green, founder Vox Partners

Ellis Harris-Boulter, founder of FieCo Accountancy & Marketing, AAT Tutor of the Year 2026 

The first episode of Balancing Ambition for students will be live 8am July 8. In our first episode, Finding success without a straight line, our guests will be exploring the topic of squiggly careers and how to make the most of all the transferable skills you've picked up along your career path.