AAT vs an Accountancy degree

Hi everyone
I have just completed my AAT studies and have been awarded the level 4.
However, today I met up with an old friend from school who told me she is currently doing an accountancy degree at Swansea university.
Therefore I was wondering what is the difference between an accountancy degree and the AAT qualification? Which one is deemed as the more useful/academic and could you call yourself an 'accountant' by passing a university degree and not doing the AAT?
Many thanks for any help
Matt
I have just completed my AAT studies and have been awarded the level 4.
However, today I met up with an old friend from school who told me she is currently doing an accountancy degree at Swansea university.
Therefore I was wondering what is the difference between an accountancy degree and the AAT qualification? Which one is deemed as the more useful/academic and could you call yourself an 'accountant' by passing a university degree and not doing the AAT?
Many thanks for any help
Matt
0
Comments
As for AAT versus an accounting degree, I've heard several employers state that AAT is far,far,far preferable having usually been gained in conjunction with real world experience gained in a workplace environment as opposed to graduate knowledge mostly learned in the classroom.
I've heard the same.
Although I've often heard AAT placed in a similar level to degrees and chartered similar level to masters degrees. From a point of view of company salary grading systems.
Academically, the degree is higher :mad2:I wanted to do a degree after finishing my AAT quals (maybe I was being insecure about my academia?) :blushing:
I did find it difficult to find a training provider to do a degree with, most AAT finalists go onto ACCA/CIMA and realistically, this is the right thing to do...... But I still wanted the kudos of having a degree (I come from a family of degree holders, I'm the only one not holding one! I joined the army instead of college and uni):thumbdown:
Eventually I found Kaplan do a distance learning degree course, and they offer exemptions from the first year....................
Only now I think at 35 do I really want to spend all that time and money on something that won't benefit me professionally and even if I was awarded a degree conferred by the University of Essex, would it be held in any kind of regard by employers?? :001_unsure:
I've hijacked this thread slightly and I apologise!
My college teacher says that he's had people come to AAT from uni and they haven't been able to cope, there is a bit of snobbery by people who dont really understand what AAT is tho i expect.
Agreed, if you want a degree then this is probably the best route to take. Having a degree and being chartered is hard to beat!
.....................I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure!:confused1:
Personally, i will be getting a degree from them come the time!
When you mention the Oxford Brooks degree.....are you guys from near Oxford? I live about 10 miles from Oxford....:001_smile: