AAT CEO steps down after 27 years

JANE SCOTT PAUL OBE is to retire from accounting body AAT after 27 years with the company, 17 of which she has served as CEO.

Scott Paul, (pictured), became CEO in 1997 and under her leadership the AAT has grown its overall membership to 125,000 from 40,000.

She joined AAT in April 1987 as assistant secretary in education. In that role she introduced large scale skills-based training for accounting technicians. Scott Paul also spearheading conferences in the UK, South Africa, South Korea, Australia and the Middle East to increase the body’s international presence.

Under her leadership the AAT was also the first accounting technician body to become a full member of the International Federation of Accountants, (IFAC).

Scott Paul was awarded an honorary membership to CIPFA in 2003 and the OBE for services to the accountancy profession in 2008. She was also given an honorary doctorate in business administration by BPP University College in 2012.

The AAT has not promoted from within for Scott Paul’s successor. Mark Farrar, currently head of the Construction Industry Training Board, will take over from Scott Paul in March.

Scott Paul said: “Leading AAT has been a privilege and a pleasure. AAT changes people’s lives and helps them achieve their full potential. The organisation I joined with a staff of 37 and 40,000 members has grown to a staff of over 200 and a membership of 125,000.

“I am proud of what AAT has achieved over that time and of the fantastic people I leave behind. I am pleased to be handing on to my successor an organisation in good shape and have every confidence that Mark Farrar will take it to new heights.” 

In an interview with WATC.com Scott Paul said she hoped her retirement would involve “tending an allotment and learning to dance”.