Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy

Association of Accounting Technicians

Invitation to Institute members to be considered for nomination as the Institute’s representatives on the Council of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) for 2009/2010.

Introduction
Since the AAT was formed in 1980, each of its sponsoring bodies has been entitled to nominate three of its own Members to serve on the Council of the AAT. In addition to the substantial contribution our nominees make to the governance of the AAT, CIPFA is proud that five Presidents of the AAT have been Institute members, the most recent being Trevor Salmon. This year’s representatives, who have all now served  three annual terms, are Sarah Wood, Anne Britton and Mike Evans, and the Institute Council pays tribute to the highly-valued contribution they have made to the AAT on our behalf in that time.

CIPFA has an established protocol for the annual selection of its three nominees, and the process is the responsibility of the Institute’s Nominations Committee. It is now inviting Institute members to express interest in the posts; so that the highest level of communication can be maintained with the AAT, one of the three nominees must also be a current member of the Institute Council.

What being a member of the AAT Council means
The AAT’s website has a very informative introduction to the role of its Council, the role and responsibilities of its Council members, and the frequency of meetings. This can be found at the bullet point “An Overview of Council” at www.aat.org.uk/members/content/item11287. A list of 2009 Council and Committee dates may be viewed by clicking here.

All members of its Council are expected to act in accordance with the Nolan ‘principles of public life’ and to confirm that by accepting the expectations and obligations set out in the AAT’s ‘Code of Conduct for Council members’. Those interested in being selected as one of the three CIPFA nominees are asked to read the Code which can be found within the above link.

For those interested in finding out more about the AAT’s role and activities, its Annual Review of 2007 can also be found in that site.

Possible term of office of the Institute’s nominees
Following selection, nominees will be appointed for one year. However, subject to satisfactory performance in terms of the requirements and expectations of the role, nominees may be reappointed by the Nominations Committee, without further competitive election, to continue to serve a further year, and then for a further year beyond that, thereby creating a potential term of three years. It will be the responsibility of the chair of the Nominations Committee to have a discussion with anyone who has failed to meet those requirements and expectations and this may result in the nominee being asked not to stand for re-appointment.

At the end of a three-year term, or earlier if a shorter term is serves, an election will be held to select a new nominee. Retiring nominees may if they wish stand for re-election for a second (but not a third) term; the appointment and subsequent annual reappointment will be as above. Therefore the maximum period of service will be two terms of three years.

Selection process and timetable

- Expressions of interest are being sought by open invitation e.g. by way of the article in February Spreadsheet, to members of the Institute Council and current post-holders, via regional councils and chairs of Institute Panels.

- Those interested in being considered are asked to provide details of their current employment, and a maximum 250-word Statement of what they would bring to the post and what they would hope to achieve whilst a member of the AAT Council.

This information and Statement should be received by Friday 13th March 2009 and sent by post, fax or email to -

Barry Mather
Council Secretary
CIPFA
3 Robert Street
London WC2N 6RL

Fax: 0207 543 5700
Email: barry.mather@cipfa.org

Consideration of candidates by Nominations Committee: by Friday 20th March

All candidates advised: week beginning 23 March.