Let's share our experiences of studying the AAT and finding suitable employment.

melb2902

So Geek do you think you are likely to have all your work done in time for the deadline? I am surprised given the circumstances your training provider hasnt kept you fully informed...hope your not stressing anyhow!!

Does anyone fancy working for themselves once they have completed the full AAT?

geek84 wrote: »

Hi Folks

I am on level 2 old style - this consists iof units 30 & 31. Any of you doing them? I have passed unit 30, and unit 31 is further divided into 3 parts. I have completed the first 2 parts and ordered part 3 from my provider (premier training).

MEL & JAN - I presume you are both doing the new style? Hopefully, after completing this unit (unit 31), I shall also be moving to the new style.

ZHULME - Earlier on you stated that there is a big jump of roles from being an accounts assistant, once you get the full aat qualification. What do you mean by that? What job roles can a person apply for once they are AAT qualified?

Finally, when choosing a training provider, can someone please advice, what things to look for? Apart from the price!

geek84

Good Morning

Apparently, my provider said that they did send out an email earlier on in the year, telling all students about the 30 April deadline. I don't remember seeing that email. Maybe i deleted it by mistake. Anyway, I should be receiving the level 3 assignment today/tomorrow and put in about 6 hours of study per day, in order to get it finished by end of April!!

I am not working at the moment. So, that is another problem I have to tackle! I am quite worried & depressed about that - been out of a job for over a year. Could you advice where I could apply for credit control/accounts assistanmt/sales or purchase ledger vacancies? I live in the Midlands.

Thanks

geek84

Good Morning Folks

Does anybody else care to share their experiences of working experience and studying accountancy?

Thanks

Gem7321

Can I ask why you're so intent on working in an industry role rather than practice? In my experience there are normally more practice roles available as many run graduate schemes and recruit every summer

geek84

Hi Gem7321

Welcxome to the forum. At present, because I am only on the certificate level of the AAT, I have not got much preference - I prefer either industry or practice - as long as I can get relevant work experience. I am not working at the moment.

Can I ask - What type of accounts role are you in? What stage are you on with regards to the studies?

Thanks

Gem7321

I sat my last exams in 2008. I'm in practice and awaiting my MiP licence

I would look at any websites for practices near you and see if they are recruiting

geek84

Hi Gem 7321

Would 'practice' have better career prospects than 'industry'?

Thanks

Gem7321

I suppose it depends what you want out of your career. Generally speaking industry roles pay better than practice roles. Depending on the size of the company, the progression through industry would (broadly) go something like:
purchase or sales ledger clerk - accounts assistant - financial controller/accountant - FD

In practice, again broadly speaking and depending on the size of the practice, you could go something like this:
AAT trainee - semi senior - senior - manager - partner
and this could be in any area, accounts/tax, audit, specialist tax etc.

And it's often said here that it's easier to move from practice to industry than the other way around.

geek84

Hi Folks

Does anybody else care to share their experiences of working experience and studying accountancy?

Thanks

Sailorgirl

My experience so far

Hi everyone,

I started studying Sept 2010, and am loving it so far. Started AAT Level 2 and City and Guilds Bookkeeping Level 1 & 2 at the same time. Now that C&G has finished I am also studying for IAB Level 3 advanced manual bookkeeping.

I started because my partner started a business, but is totally dyslexic when it comes to numbers, so I picked up that ball and ran with it. So far I have filled in 2 of his overdue tax returns (head in sand), and just submitted year end accounts to an accountant for review.

I also volunteer 3 or 4 hours a week for a charity, after their bookkeeper left them in the lurch. My day to day job is 30 hours a week and not related to accounts at all.

I am hoping to complete technician and then do ATT, cos I like tax, I think.

Ultimately I want to work for myself, as a bookkeeper specialising in tax, but I wouldn't rule out working in industry or practice. In fact I am looking for work now, so that I can get more experience, but the old problem of 'not enough experience' is a hard one to beat, especially in this climate.

I too have discovered my love of numbers later in life, and have approx 25 years left to build up a non existent pension.

Its great reading about everyones experience on here.

geek84

Hi Sailorgirl

Welcome to the forum. I think we are roughly in the same age group - I also have about 25 years left for working life & I too discovered my love of working with numbers late in life!!

I also have done bookkeeping through ICB up to level 2. Unfortunately, there does not seem much opportunities for book keepers, so decided not to take it further. Any advise regarding book keeping work woud be grately appreciated.

I started my AAT level 2 last summer and have just completed it - just before the deadline! I am out of work at the mo and trying to get an accounts job to get the work experience. Can you advice what type of employers to apply to?

Thanks - hope to hear from you & anyone else who wishes to share their experiences, soon !!

Sailorgirl

I am not sure that I can advise on how to get bookkeeping work, but I intend to set up a simple website, advertise locally and generally tout for business at all opportunities. i.e I ran into someone the other day who was just setting up, and I mentioned that I could do her accounts for free until I am qualified. I could charge now, but I would be more comfortable charging after June when I can put IAB after my name ( assuming I pass that is!).
I would recommend volunteering, especially if you have the time at the moment. I volunteer purely for the experience and the addition to my CV. You get treated really well, and you never know where it might lead.
I think for bookkeeping you have to do all the running, but you'd be surprised how many people will be interested in your services.
My personal opinion is that bookeeping could be more interesting than other work. You get to see the whole picture, and you can really make a difference to a small business. My partner would be in a mess now, if he didn't have a bookeeper, me or otherwise. I have saved him money already, just by giving basic advice that you or me, take for granted. He is not alone in not liking numbers and accounts, and that is where I aim to focus my attention.

geek84

Hi Sailorgirl

I hope you are fine & enjoying the nice weather!

As I stated earlier on, I have completed my level 2 manual & computerised book keeping course. However, there are other levels to which I could progess to.

At what stage would you feel that I have enough knolwdge to set up my own book keeping business?

Thanks

Sailorgirl

The weather has been great, and the long weekend.

I cannot answer your question. I question my own knowledge and ability at times, so I couldn't possibly comment on yours. I guess it all boils down to how confident you feel, because you don't legally need any qualifications to do the books for someone else. Only you know the answer to your question, a bit cliched I know, but true.

geek84

Hi

Would anybody else like to share their story of their own 'study journey' and/or thpe of accounts role they are doing on the moment?

Thanks

geek84

Hi

Would anybody else like to share their story of their own 'study journey' and/or the of accounts role they are doing on the moment?

Thanks

janwal

Hi All

Just to let you know finally got result for WEAF after 11 weeks and I passed.

Jan x

geek84

Hi Janwal

Many congratulations on passing.

Was that level 2 or 3?

steveJ

I was out of work for around 6 months and noticed, and finally got, a job with Ford Motor Company. I was under the impression that it would be as a technician/maintenance trainee with the possibility of going onto an apprenticeship .... it wasnt !! I ended up working on various production lines, fitting parts on engines on a three shift system ... morning, afternoons and nights !!!

I ended up doing this for around 4 years, as the money was good, but i knew there was more to my working life than that ...
Night shift after night shift i was pondering what to do next (Really helped when i got my first blackberry as i could search the net while on the line!) ...
then finally a workmate told me that he was starting a book keeping course as he wanted to try to earn a bit of extra money ...... and 'BANG' that was it !!!!

A soon as he mentioned this it reminded me of school and the accountancy GCSE that i had .... Maybe i could .... yep thats what im gonna do !!!
I began studying the AAT distance learning (i also made some time and was studying on the production line whenever the were any breakdowns !!) ....

From there i kept checking the vacancies board for positions that previously i wouldnt have been interested in or even think i was capable of doing and finally a position came up ... "Billing Clerk for Transport Operations"
Yes .... im gonna go for this (I had a feeling that the job was mine .... studying the AAT had give me the confidence to believe that i could do the job)

And yes i got it !!!

Found out that i had beaten 10 other applicants to the position .

Im still studying the AAT at my own pace, enjoying my job and have full support from my group leader and manager in regards to the higher paid salaried positions that become available... Ive also been told that when i complete AAT, CIMA will be paid for me !!!

All i can say is keep going !!! ...
Check with the finance department of where you work now and tell them that your studying ... get your name heard !!!

I always remember summin' i heard ages ago ... Treat yourself as self employed whoever you work for !! - If you were self employed, what would you have to do :-

Promote yourself
Gain as much experience as possible
Get interested in the customer (in this case ... the boss)
When your given a chance prove yourself !!

=====================

As you can tell i had a bit of spare time

geek84

Hi SteveJ

Many Thanks for your rely.

What stage are you on in the AAT course? Are you studying at college?

I am on level 3 studying distance learning - Premier Training.

Regards
geek84

steveJ

Yeah, im studying by distance learning with Premier Training and am on intermediate (unit6 - Costs and revenues) ... What unit are you on ?

geek84

Hi SteveJ

I've sent a PM to you.

Regards
Geek84

geek84

Good Morning folks

Have any of you done the Costs & Revenues exam at level 3?

If so, would you be able to provide any hints & tips on some of the concepts involved in this module, since I am struggling witth this module, even though I have read the Osborne book a few times!

Thanks in advance for your responses.

geek84

Good Morning Folks

I am about to start on level 4. Any of you in the same position as me or half way through level 4?

If so, please PM me and we can help & motivate each other during our studies !!

coojee

geek84 wrote: »

Good Morning Folks

I am about to start on level 4. Any of you in the same position as me or half way through level 4?

If so, please PM me and we can help & motivate each other during our studies !!

Wow, you've worked quickly!! In April you were just finishing up Level 2 and you're on Level 4 already!!!!! What's your secret? How have you managed to fit all the Level 3 exams in in 4 months?

geek84

Hi cooje

I have no secret. I am not working at the moment, so can study for a good number of hours each day. Where abouts are you in your studies?

Sulew17

Hi geek84 - have read your various comments about finding work, etc, and saw this post on facebook today from AAT:

Based in the Midlands? Why not head along to the Birmingham Accountancy & Finance Careers Fair on Tuesday 13 September?

All the accountancy bodies will be there, including AAT, as well as many leading employers and recruitment agencies. Entry is free and includes access to a series of exam technique and job-hunting workshops.

Visit http://www.financecareer4me.co.uk/ to register.



The Birmingham Accountancy & Finance Careers Fair: kick-start your career
www.financecareer4me.co.uk
As Lord Sugar famously said on The Apprentice: 'There is no shame in being an accountant.' So how can you kick-start your career in accountancy? Well, our Careers Fair in Birmingham should be your first port of call...

geek84

Hi Sulew17

Many thanks for that. However, I am already aware of this event and intend on going. How about you? What stage of the studies are you at? Are you in an accounts based job role?

Once again, many thanks.

Sulew17

Hi geek84, I finished Level 2 in June and start Level 3 at college next week - I can't wait as I'm loving the course!

I'm also doing an IAB payroll course - self study as and when I have time (usually the middle of the night!).

Unfortunately, I'm not working as I am my mother's carer. I started AAT so that I can start working from home - fingers x'd! I live in Newcastle so this event isn't much help to me - hopefully they might do something similar in the North East at some stage.

Good luck with Level 4.

Su

uknitty

Hi Su

Just dropping you a note as my employer is looking at funding the IAB payroll course for me, so I hope to be starting it in the next month or so. It would be good to be in touch with someone else doing the same course

Which training provider are you using, and how are you finding it so far ?