Alumnus David Frederick appointed as Association of Accounting Technicians' First Black President

De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) alumnus David Frederick has been appointed the first Black President of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), the world’s leading professional body for accounting technicians.

The association’s 40^th President, David is also the founder and Managing Partner of Marcus Bishop Associates Chartered Certified Accountants. David has been a member of the AAT Council since 2014 and served as Chair of its Management Board.

“The AAT has grown into a successful global professional body with members and students in over 100 countries; and engaged in all sectors from private practice, commercial enterprise, academia, right through to the heart of public sector organisations and public policy decision making. 

“Businesses across the world are going through a time of significant change and my aim is to move the AAT to being a formidable driver that helps lead the analytical-data-financial transformation across all sectors, as the role of the financial professional is fast changing across society.” 

David studied BA Economics at DMU, then known as Leicester Polytechnic, from 1980 to 1983. He said: “I enjoyed some fantastic years at Leicester Polytechnic, I met many great people and worked with lecturers who were passionate about their subjects. Ironically, I did not immediately enjoy accountancy when I first studied it as a module within my course, but over time I developed my skills and found a blossoming interest in the profession.

“I still consider Leicester my secondary hometown, after London, I loved my time in the city. I still fondly remember when the local business Alpha Electronics gave me my first introduction to book-keeping in a real business and how useful this experience later proved to be.

“After finishing my degree, I had hoped to engage in postgraduate study but there was a cut to funding for these opportunities in 1983 and so I decided to get a job in accountancy.

“I began my career as a trainee accountant at the London Borough Lambeth and became Principal Internal Auditor at British Railways Board in 1988. One year later, I moved into academic life at the City of London Polytechnic and was then appointed Principal Lecturer and CIMA Course Director. By 1995 I felt ready to set out on my own and established Marcus Bishop Associates Chartered Certified Accountants, which I continue to serve as Managing Partner to this day.

“I have learned a lot over the years, but I’d say the most important thing is to do what you enjoy, if you engage with something you are passionate about, you will find the motivation to work hard at it and succeed.  Don’t be afraid to try new things and gain a broad base of knowledge, rather than adopting too narrow an idea of where your future might lead.”