CIMA or ACCA

System

Hi

I need a bit of advice and hope I've come to the right place.

I passed my AAT in June 2006. I am now unsure as to which route to take next. I work for the local council, I do finance but I am not in the heart of the finance team.

I want to go on and become an accountant but I'm unsure as to which course to do. I've heard mixed things about CIMA and ACCA, so I was hoping to get some feedback from different people as to which you would reccomend and why.

I'm also unsure as to whether I should do it distant learning or taught.

Sorry it is so long winded but I hope you can spare some time to give me a bit of advice.

Hope to hear from you all soon

Carole

System

Re:CIMA or ACCA

Hi Carole,

It certainly is a minefield out there!

Depending on what your career aspirations are should determine which course is right for you. I know Neil H is our resident course expert and I'm sure he will be able to give his advice which will help you also.

As a general overview, CIMA is more widely (though not exclusively) recognised within industry. CIMA is also used in Practice but is more confined to larger firms than the smaller ones. As a result CIMA is more geared towards what happens in general business i.e. management accounting and such like.

ACCA, on the other hand, is more geared towards both industry and practice. It focuses a lot more on taxation and financial reporting issues and audit. There are papers relating to strategy and management accounting which obviously focus on industry issues.

I work in practice and did ACCA after AAT simply because it is focused around both industry and practice. I need industry awareness to deal with my clients.

Have a look at both CIMA and ACCA websites, look at their syllabus structure, take into account where you want your career to go and then make the decision.

Good luck and kind regards.

Steve

System

Re:CIMA or ACCA

Do you want to stay in the council? If so I don't know whether CIPFA would be suitable too - just to through more confusion into the pot!!

Annette

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Re:CIMA or ACCA

There is a thread from someone called Charmaine on the technician forum asking about CIPFA and their fast-track route. There hasn't been any responses to the thread as CIPFA isn't as recognised on these forums . I'm not sure if you could help Carole?

Kind regards
Steve

System

Re:CIMA or ACCA

Hello,

I have recently had the same dilemma.

I work in industry, but have chosen ACCA instead of CIMA. This was probably due to there being no Case Study!! there wasn't much of a reason to go this way, i just looked at both websites and thought about what i may be able to do in the future with either of these qualifications.

I am lucky enough to be quite young still and am looking forward to where my qualification will take me rather than where i can progress through work. (you will never be out of work or have to stay in the same role once you qualify, regardless of what path you take).

The world will be your oyster!!

M

System

Re:CIMA or ACCA

Thanks for all your advice.