ACA Qualification

System
System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
edited June 9 in AAT member discussion
I started working in private practice in July this year just after completing my AAT Technician level. They have put me straight onto the ACA qualification which I am fine about, however I have 2 small children and just wondered if anybody else has attempted this qualification whilst raising a family, and how they managed to fit everything in?? It's fine at the moment as I am only sitting one top up paper and the Law devolved, however, having recently seen a mock Business Finance paper, I am extremely worried at the amount of learning I have to do for the next set of exams - if anybody else has been through, or is going through the same, please let me know how you are finding it!!!! :roll:

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:ACA Qualification

    I didn't do ACA but I did do ACCA and I will be completely honest with you.

    You will know from your AAT studies that there is a vast amount of learning and a huge amount of work to do to gain the qualification. The good news is that you know what to expect "learning wise". The Chartered qualifications are no exception. They do require a significant amount of dedication, hard work and determination to complete.

    I know of another regular forum member who is studying ACCA whilst bringing up small children but they are planning it in such a way that they are not "overloading" themselves with too much pressure. Some people cram in three or four papers at a time to try and rush through the qualification - this can (more often than not) do more harm than good.

    There will be a lot to get through studying ACA but if you plan it right and stick to a regular timetable of study then you will find it manageable. Think of it as an investment in your future and it will help your outlook rather than focusing on all the pressure!

    Good luck and kind regards
    Steve
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:ACA Qualification

    Hi

    I'm not an ACA/ICAEW student myself but working with two and having talked to several, the training provision for ACA study is usually very good including time off and good tuition courses. This doesn't remove the need for study in your own time but it does mean you should have the best training support possible, which always helps.

    Neil
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:ACA Qualification

    Thanks for your comments.

    I think I'm just getting worried because I know how big the gap was between AAT Intermediate and Technician level, and am worried that the same amount of gap is involved from Technician to ACA.

    I will be attempting two papers at a time - I wouldn't dream of doing 3 or 4 papers in one sitting. It's only at this time of night, once the kids have gone to bed, that I get the time to study - so not much manages to penetrate the brain!

    Anza
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:ACA Qualification

    This is going back about 6 or 7 years now but I felt the gap between the intermediate stages of ACA (TC1 as it was - not sure what they call it now!) and technician stage AAT was not that great.

    I felt that about 75% of the ACA syllabus had been covered already at AAT - particularly if you had chosen the auditing and tax options at AAT.

    Many people also say that if you can pass the intermediate stages of ACA then you will be fine with the final stages.

    Make sure you get good support from your employer. 11 weeks off work per annum for attending full-time study courses is the norm.

    Can't really comment on the aspect of having kids as well - sorry!

    Good luck!

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