Training Provider The Skills Network and Accounting Body AAT Launch Joint Venture to Support Managers with Budgeting

Leading distance learning provider The Skills Network has launched a new joint venture with global accounting body AAT (The Association of Accounting Technicians), to support managers within education institutions who have no formal financial training to better manage operational budgets and cash flows.

In response to a national financial skills shortage in the education sector, AAT and TSN have worked together to develop a series of online learning content to support organisations in helping those managers without any accounting experience to perform key financial tasks. The initiative hopes to promote a crucial understanding of costing, estimating, and budgeting across the education sector.

With a focus on online budgeting training and harnessing TSN’s expertise in online distance learning, the new venture aims to allow staff within education institutions to upskill their knowledge of budgeting in their own time, without needing to attend a college, undertake work-based training, or take time out of work.

Steven Drew, Head of Markets and Products at AAT, said:

“Being able to manage a budget is vital to making a business a success, helping to ensure that you are always aware of your finances and in control.

“While it is difficult if you haven’t had any previous training, AAT research has shown that small businesses can lose thousands of pounds each year due to processes being managed by people without financial acumen. We hope to give anyone who has to manage a budget at work, or as part of running their own business, the confidence and knowledge to do so.”

James Earl, Director of Education Sales at The Skills Network, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with AAT on this project, not only because they are one of the most reputable organisations in the financial marketplace, but because they share our vision of making learning more innovative and accessible.

Giving education institutions a more flexible option for training their staff in budgeting is a growing trend across learning and development, and we’re excited to see this product create a positive impact across the UK.