Sarah Beale is the CEO of AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians), the leading professional body for accounting technicians. She gained AAT membership at the start of her working life, then qualified as a Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA) before coming full circle nearly 30 years later to become CEO of AAT in 2021.

Prior to AAT, Ms. Beale worked in several industries, holding finance and leadership roles. Most recently, as Chief Executive of CITB, the Construction Industry Training Board. For many years, her career activity has focused on helping talent from all backgrounds to secure rewarding careers and supporting the promotion and development of skills and qualifications that make businesses and economies thrive.

Ms. Beale served as a non-executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Board for Building Research Establishment (BRE), a ‘profit-for-purpose' global business, raising the standards of the built environment. She has also been appointed to various government task forces, mainly to respond to skills issues.

Ms. Beale is a MAAT and FCCA.

As of October 2021, 256 Japanese companies have either adopted or decided to adopt IFRS, and the number of adopters is increasing. With regard to Japanese GAAP, standards also continues to be developed in a way consistent with IFRS and other international accounting standards, for example in the areas of leases and impairment of financial instruments.