LONDON – 27.09.2024 – Accounting technicians will be front and centre at the international pavilion of an upcoming human resources conference being held in Malaysia next week.

From 30 September to 2 October, the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) will be exhibiting at the National Human Capital Conference and Exhibition (NHCCE), showcasing the value of accounting technicians in a market with a severe need for more people with accountancy and finance skills.

This is the first time AAT will be at the event, demonstrating the body’s increasing presence in Malaysia’s skills and training sector. The country has one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies and was amongst the top 20 in Asia in last quarter.

Tim Dawkins, International Development Lead at AAT, said “I’m excited to showcase the enormous potential of accounting technicians (ATs) to Southeast Asia's skills future as AAT joins NHCCE for the first time.”

“I’ll be meeting with training providers and leaders across multiple events to show that the region can unlock its small business potential by embracing the accounting technician revolution and equipping students with the accounting skills needed in the decade to come.”

Technician can help plug skills gap

The event in Kuala Lumpur will allow AAT to highlight how the accounting technician route provides a pathway for more people to gain professional qualifications beyond the chartered route to accountancy.

The role of accounting technicians will become increasingly important as countries attempt to address the significant and growing shortage of trained and qualified accountants and finance professionals being felt globally. Qualified accounting professionals below chartered accountant level are essential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the accountancy supply chain.

As exhibitors, AAT delegates will meet with employers across the accounting and finance sector, training providers, and prospective students to support the growth of AAT qualifications in Malaysia.

AAT to strengthen ASEAN ties

 This visit will also expand AAT’s growing relationships in Malaysia and the ASEAN region more widely, as the body informs more training providers and students about the AAT’s Ofqual-recognised, globally renowned qualifications which have seen growing recognition in recent months.

Mr Tim Dawkins will present to audiences at Sabah Skills and Technology Centre (SSTC), the largest training provider of AAT courses in Malaysia. While 2 – 3 October, the AAT International Development Lead will appear at Bett Asia– a major education and training show in Kuala Lumpur. Bett Asia covers the whole of the ASEAN region.

As part of AAT’s advocacy for accounting technicians as a profession, Mr Dawkins will also meet with government officials during his visit, such as those from the Human Resources Development Corporation. Operating under the purview of the Ministry of Human Resources with responsibility for skills training and funding, HRD Corp is a Malaysian government agency.

This latest visit comes off the back of a delegation led by Mr Dawkins and AAT Chief Executive Officer Sarah Beale, when the pair were in Kuala Lumpur in June 2024 for the national conference of the Malaysian  Institute of Accountants (MIA). AAT also took the opportunity to announce a new agreement confirming exemptions for those with AAT qualifications with the Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia (CTIM).

NHCCE will take place at MITEC Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre KL Metropolis, Kuala Lumpur. For more details, go to NHCCE 2024 | HRD Corp.

Have a look at the LinkedIn post below for our wider narrative and AAT as the solution. I think for the quals mention, maybe name some existing partnerships and how AAT leaders will be on hand to explain to other providers how AAT’s Ofqual-recognised, globally renowned qualifications can be incorporated into their offerings for prospective students and corporate CPD clients into the future.

Reference

1. Photo: Fast-track your Finance Career with AAT Qualifications