In August 2023, AAT Comment published a personal piece by Mark Clayton exploring how his accounting skills and the ethical framework instilled by AAT have underpinned over a decade of charitable work in China.

The article tells the story of how Ronnie ‘Chopper’ Keelan — a popular member of Zhuhai’s expat community — passed away suddenly, leaving his wife and unborn daughter facing an uncertain financial future. It was that moment that crystallised Mark’s drive to build something lasting for the community he calls home.

Since founding Come Together Community (CTC) in 2011, Mark has helped raise more than $385,000 for local causes, taking on a wide-ranging role covering charity accounts and audit, marketing, and corporate governance and risk oversight for the NGO — all alongside his role as Group CFO at C2W Group.

The piece makes the case that accounting skills are uniquely powerful in the charity world — not just for managing finances, but for building the trust that charities depend on. As Mark explains, the ethical knowledge gained through AAT training is essential: transparency is the foundation of any credible charity, and without it, donors simply won’t trust you with their money.

The article also references CTC’s United Nations Social Impact Award in 2019 and Mark’s AAT Impact Award win earlier that year.

Read the full article at AAT Comment.