In this series of ‘Emma Meets', Emma Peterson, Director of Recruit 121 Finance & Accounting Solutions, finds out more about the sponsors of the Finance Awards Wales 2025.
Finance Awards Wales is designed to recognise, attract and invest in the talented finance professionals working in Wales, showcasing the best of the best in the finance industry. In this edition, Emma Meets Michael Steed, President, The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)
Can you share a bit about your company and what it is you do?
AAT, the Association of Accounting Technicians, is the UK’s leading professional body for accounting technicians and bookkeepers. AAT champions inclusive access to accountancy training and provides internationally recognised qualifications open to all. We provide the real-world ready skills that businesses look for so that accounting technicians can deliver value from day one, leveraging their industry experience and practical skillset.
There are more than 70,000 people studying towards AAT qualifications at any one time, including over 6,000 AAT apprentices with thousands of leading UK businesses. We have over 124,000 members and students, with opportunities for school leavers, people seeking career changes, and those who want to run their own business and improve financial literacy.
AAT returned once again to sponsor Finance Apprentice of the Year at Finance Awards Wales. What do you enjoy most about being a sponsor? Any standout moments from previous events?
Sponsoring the ‘Accounts Technician of the Year’ category meant we could highlight the incredible contributions accounting technicians have across Wales. They are having a real impact across businesses, helping to provide strong financial support and to facilitate business growth, creating more jobs and uplifting the local economy. Accounting technicians have the practical skills which mean they can provide immediate value for businesses and it’s great to spotlight this as a sponsor. Colleagues who have attended have highlighted how incredible it was to be together with accountancy professionals and have valuable discussions about the vitality of the profession.
From your perspective, how does recognising and awarding exceptional finance apprentices contribute to the overall advancement of the finance industry?
The stories of those shortlisted prove how accounts technicians are making a real difference to local businesses. The Welsh Government recognises this and has committed £144 million to its apprenticeship budget for 2025, showing just how valuable apprentices are to the finance sector and elsewhere.
The incredible nominees will inspire the next generation of accounting professionals and show the great extent of opportunity in our industry. Our sponsored award, ‘Accounts Technicians of the Year’, showcases accounting technician as a destination, a valuable career in itself, and not only a path to chartered status.
How does AAT’s commitment to celebrating excellence in finance reflect its broader mission to support innovation and drive progress within the industry?
Celebrating the achievements of accounting technicians shows how valuable the role is and how transformative it can be both for the individual and for businesses. Celebrating talent will help inspire others to join the profession and to see accounting technician status as a career destination. The role of the accountant is changing; accountants are increasingly becoming strategic and advisory to leverage financial insight to strengthen business decision making. The stories of those shortlisted at Finance Awards Wales exemplify this and show how our industry is innovating to ensure its future relevance.
What would you say to other companies considering sponsorship, and why do you think it's a valuable opportunity?
It’s exciting to be able to sponsor Finance Awards Wales and celebrate talented accounting professionals and teams. It’s an opportunity to show how impactful financial and accounting skills are and the impact they have across all businesses. Sponsorship helps build a supportive community to recognise this and create a forum to look at how the profession is evolving.
We have many great Welsh ambassadors at AAT and our current Vice-President and my successor, Lucy Cohen, is from Swansea. She is an incredible success story having founded a multi-million-pound business after completing an apprenticeship and studying part time with AAT. There’s a deep bench of talented Welsh AAT members too, including Alexis Charkiw, CEO of Right Click Accounting, who runs a podcast alongside her business that offers insight into the practicalities of business management. We can pay tribute to these role models as sponsors and no doubt discover even more great talent.
What positive impact does AAT anticipate this sponsorship will have on finance apprentices in Wales?
We have worked with thousands of students in Wales as well as supporting businesses across the country and are hopeful that celebrating these talented individuals will encourage others to begin their accountancy journey. Finance Awards Wales creates a platform to recognise the hard work, innovation, and inspiring stories of many apprentices and to advocate the apprenticeship pathway.
Apprentices can look at the success of their peers and see how valued their skills are by the accounting community and by businesses. This comes at a key time for apprenticeships as the Welsh Government has committed to delivering 125,000 all-age apprenticeships over three years. This shows the extent of the opportunities open to young people and career changers to pursue an apprenticeship and be part of the progress of our industry. We’ve sponsored the award for six years and are always amazed by the calibre of talent. Long may it continue.
Where is your happy place and why?
Music has always been central to me, both listening and playing.
For most of us, music opens doors and we all have songs and music that we associate with events and places in our own lives.
I love playing too, principally the piano, but my latest instrument is an euphonium. I’m very much a beginner, but I hope to get to a reasonable standard this year. Who knows, I might even be able to play with a brass band for a bit of fun.
