Why communication skills are crucial for AAT's

Why communication skills are crucial

In her second article in a six-part series, AAT’s Clare Dye discusses what can be expected from AAT’s upcoming qualifications, launching in 2026 and 2027

There’s no doubt that accounting remains rooted in technical precision and financial acumen. But as the profession continues to transform, ‘power skills’ are becoming just as important as data analytics, budget forecasting and reconciling accounts, and continually feature in the top skills sought after by employers.

One of the core power skills that is woven into our evolved qualification suite is communication. Whether it’s building rapport with clients, collaborating with colleagues, or clearly explaining financial information to nonfinancial stakeholders, strong communication underpins a successful career in accounting.

Top in-demand skill

The Pearson Skills Outlook 2022 report ranked communication as the number-one most in-demand skill globally. This isn’t a trend that’s passing by the accounting sector – it’s a wake-up call for everyone involved in training and hiring the accounting technicians of tomorrow.

Additional research supports this shift. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, analytical thinking and effective communication are the two most sought-after core skills by employers globally.

The rise of AI

The rise of AI and automation is transforming the way accountants work. Many of the timeconsuming, repetitive administrative tasks – such as data entry, invoice processing and reconciliations – can now be handled by intelligent software. This shift frees up accounting technicians to focus on highervalue activities, such as client liaison and advisory support.

As automation takes over routine transactional tasks, the ability to effectively listen, engage, explain, and influence becomes the human differentiator. Interpersonal skills like communication, empathy, and active listening are becoming even more important. Being able to engage with clients, understand their needs and explain financial insights clearly is now a key part of the role – and one that machines simply cannot replicate.

Getting real-world ready

We’ve designed our new qualifications with this in mind. At Levels 2 and 3, students will learn about the importance of communication in establishing effective business relationships, as well as recognising the impact of ineffective or inappropriate communication, alongside how to effectively communicate to meet the users’ need.

At Level 4, students will focus on the importance of collaboration, escalation and delegation. It’s about building confident professionals who are not only technically capable, but also credible and articulate in real-world settings.

This also aligns with what employers are telling us. Feedback from our employer partners consistently highlights the value of those who can communicate clearly with clients and colleagues – particularly when working remotely or across departments. The ability to simplify complex data and offer clear, actionable insight is now a crucial part of the job.

While technical knowledge remains a bedrock of our qualifications, we’re ensuring that future AAT students are just as equipped to build strong working relationships, express themselves with clarity and confidence, and become the well-rounded professionals employers need.