From AAT student to Assistant Manager: Jordan Chatterton’s accountancy journey

When Jordan Chatterton began studying AAT at Abingdon & Witney College, he was already working in accountancy and looking to strengthen his knowledge and progress within the industry.

After spending two years at a small accountancy firm in Bicester, Jordan joined Wellers in August 2019. Having already completed some ACCA exams, he felt there were gaps in his understanding of the fundamentals of accounting and wanted to develop a stronger foundation.

“After speaking with Wellers, we decided that completing the AAT Level 3 and Level 4 courses would help fill the gap in my knowledge and give me a stronger understanding of accounting.”

Jordan started his AAT Level 3 studies at Abingdon & Witney College in February 2020 and was able to fast-track his studies, moving onto Level 4 in September of the same year. He completed AAT Level 4 in June 2021 with a 100% first-time pass rate before continuing his professional development through ACCA studies.

AAT qualifications provide students with the practical skills and industry knowledge needed to begin and progress in careers across bookkeeping and accountancy. For Jordan, one of the most valuable aspects of his studies was being able to apply what he learned directly to his role.

"Studying AAT has given me so much more than technical accounting knowledge. I've developed the confidence to communicate effectively with different clients by adapting my approach to suit their needs, learned to question and analyse information rather than simply accepting it at face value, and taken greater ownership of my workload to ensure I consistently meet deadlines. The course has also given me a strong foundation across areas like accounts, tax and payroll, allowing me to apply my knowledge confidently in real-world situations."

After completing his AAT studies, Jordan continued working towards becoming a fully qualified ACCA accountant, achieving this milestone in January 2024 with another 100% first-time pass rate.

His qualification marked the next stage of his career, with Jordan being promoted to Supervisor at Wellers. In this role, he developed his own client portfolio, supported firmwide work planning and delivered training sessions for trainees.

Following a career break travelling around South East Asia in early 2025, Jordan returned to continue progressing in the industry. After more than two years as a Supervisor, he was promoted to Assistant Manager in May 2026.

Since starting his career, Jordan has seen accountancy evolve significantly, particularly through digitalisation and automation. From Making Tax Digital reporting to advances in bookkeeping software and AI, technology is changing how accountants work and helping professionals focus more on providing value to clients.

Despite the changes within the industry, Jordan believes accountancy offers far more variety than many people realise.

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that accountancy is boring and that we’re all just good at maths!”

Jordon explained the best part of his role is working with a diverse range of clients, from individuals needing personal tax support to small businesses looking to grow.

“Every day is different and comes with its own rewards and challenges, which means you never have a boring day.”

Looking back, Jordan’s proudest achievement is becoming a fully qualified ACCA accountant and progressing through the ranks at Wellers.

Jordon explained his advice to anyone considering studying AAT:

“Be resilient and persevere. It can be tough at the start because you’re learning something completely new while balancing your studies with work, but the opportunities are endless once you’re qualified.”

Jordan’s journey demonstrates how AAT qualifications can provide the knowledge, confidence and practical skills needed to build a successful career in accountancy.

Start Your Finance Career at Abingdon & Witney College

Whether you're leaving school, looking to earn while you learn or hoping to develop your professional qualifications, Abingdon & Witney College offers a finance pathway to suit every stage of your career.

Our Accounting course for school leavers provides a strong introduction to the world of finance, helping you build the practical knowledge and skills needed to progress into employment or higher-level study.

If you'd prefer to gain workplace experience while earning a salary, our Accounting Apprenticeship combines on-the-job learning with industry-recognised qualifications, giving you the opportunity to develop your career from day one.

For those already working in finance or looking to advance their career, our AAT Professional Accounting courses offer nationally recognised qualifications that can open the door to a wide range of roles and career progression opportunities.