What are the options after AAT?

SashaDella

Hello

I have posted a thread about this in Level 3, however hadnt had many responses or answers. So I was wondering if here was a better place to ask!

What have you done after AAT and why did you chose that?
Also I know the options but don't know the benefits, has anyone chosen to gain a degree after completing aat?

Thanks

Rozzi Rainbow

Hi Sasha

I knew straight away I wanted to complete a chartered qualification, as although the AAT is a very good qualification in itself, I enjoy studying accountancy and wanted to obtain a higher level qualification. I currently work in a small practice, so some of what I'm studying isn't all that relevant, but I wanted to keep my options open and do a broader qualification (rather than just specialising in tax by completing ATT for example) in case anything changes in the future.

I ruled out CIPFA and CIMA quite quickly as I didn't believe they applied so much to me working in practice. I found a local-ish college teaching ACCA so chose that over ACA even though both syllabuses appealed to me. I also liked the fact that there is the option to complete a degree as part of studying ACCA. I have hopefully now gained this degree - just waiting on the results from the project! As I never went to uni after finishing A levels, I've always wanted to get a degree at some point in life.

Good luck with whatever you decide

SashaDella

What degree have you gained from the ACCA? And how have you studied for this?
Thanks for your reply!!

Rozzi Rainbow

It's a Bsc (Hons) in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University. The six ACCA exams you have to take at the Fundamental level count towards the degree (the exact scores out of 100 are averaged to determine the level of degree awarded). Then for the degree part only, you have to complete a Research and Analysis project - think AAT project on a higher scale!! You don't need to do the project to get the ACCA qualification, just if you want the degree. Then after this there is the ACCA Professional level consisting of a further five exams, that you need to obtain full ACCA membership. (I am due to start this part in the next couple of weeks.)

I studied for some of the exams at college, and some self study. The project is all self study, apart from three meetings with a project mentor, mine was my tutor from college.

SashaDella

I would love to get a degree, and perhaps this is a good route! Do you know why someone would choose to go to uni to do a degree over gaining an accountancy body qualification?
Are their certain jobs that it opens you up to? As nowadays i feel that most companies go on experience and individuals rather than the degree part on the cv.. however i still want one!
Thanks

Rozzi Rainbow

I don't know why someone would choose to go to uni. Surely if you now have a good job, you would have to leave to go to uni? And what guarantee is there of getting another good job when you finish? And the tuition fees are extortionate - at least if you stay in work and study, your employer may pay/contribute or failing that you have some earnings to pay for study with! And then how do you go about getting the relevant experience if you have taken three or four years out to study at uni?

Not sure about helping for jobs - my boss has always said an accountancy degree on its own isn't worth anything without experience!! (They don't teach you how to deal with clients bringing in paper bags of receipts!!) I'm like you - I just want the degree. Partly for my own self development and satisfaction, and partly to show everyone I was at school with that going to uni at 18 isn't the only way to progress! (Everyone thought I was mad to get a job at 18, but I really didn't fancy uni at all.) I think a degree as well would help if ever I changed career (which I have no intention of doing, but you never know) as it would probably be more recognised outside of the industry than ACCA.

SashaDella

I think I shall consider the other options rather than uni, as what you have said is exactly my thoughts. Im 18 in a good job currently and wish to progress as quickly as possible. So I think the ACCA or another accountancy qualification similar will be the best path for me. However i still have a long way to go anyways so I guess I can decide later

Thanks so much for your responses, you have made me feel very positive!! and its good that I have the option of taking it further and gaining a degree as well!:001_smile:

NicF

From my experience people who have qualified with something like ACCA, CIMA, ACA etc command higher levels of respect than those with a degree. Part of this is the fact that loads of people get degrees these days but part of it is that these are professional qualifications that are usually gained while in employment and require a certain level of hard work and dedication that isn't necessarily required to get a degree. These qualifications are also more in depth and more specialised than a degree and result in membership of professional bodies. People with degrees in accountancy will often go on and do these qualifications.

SashaDella

Yeah to be honest whether I get a degree or not im still going to go on to ACCA etc, so perhaps it may be worth just focusing on that... thats a good point NicF

ktambor

hi can i ask what is an option for someone who has finished AAT l4 and wants to do ACCA but can not afford it and is not employed in accounting?

ChrisJ30

ktambor said:

hi can i ask what is an option for someone who has finished AAT l4 and wants to do ACCA but can not afford it and is not employed in accounting?

That's a good question, I wondered the same.

Nps

I would suggest you start applying for accounting roles if you want to progress further (else why do AAT and mention ACCA). ACCA will get you nowhere if you can't back it up with work experience. You may be lucky and find someone willing to fund your ACCA studies, alternatively look at doing ACCA on the cheap. I estimate that by the time I finish ACCA next year, it will have cost me in total about £2500 over the three years (that includes subs, exams, books and revision kits - no courses for me as I've self funded it all). My pay will rise by much more than that in the first year when I qualify so I see £2500 as a very good investment and worth finding the money for, whether that be by savings/loans etc.