Probably not going to finish ATT.

Monsoon

I've been thinking. I am seriously considering not completing ATT.

Why?

The main thing is I just plain don't have the time. And the time I do have, I have far more important things to be doing with life - especially given that I don't need extra letters after my name. It's not going to benefit my business one iota.

I've passed my 3 tax exams, and I have the shiny certificates on the wall. Cost to renew? £40 per year.

I only have Law and Ethics outstanding. I don't give a **** about doing them, I really don't.

If I do them and pass them, I'm looking at about £300-ish a year in extra subscription fees, plus 25 hours structured CPD and 20 hours unstructured (which obviously I can do but it's a whole different way of working to AAT CPD). All for some letters after my name that I don't need. They would be an ego trip.

I'm not looking for people to say "you've come so far, don't stop now!" I'm very much a "I've started so I'll finish" person. Fair play to anyone who's done the e-assessments! But I honestly think stopping (whether permanently or temporarily) is the right thing for me to do right now.

I'm just sharing my thoughts. There are more important things than getting letters I don't need or doing exams that I don't want to do and don't need. Like spending time with my family. Like doing exercise or some hobbies. Reading a good book. Or building my business, not my ego. For me, right now, that's how I'm feeling about it all.

Just wanted to say

liveprincess

Well done to you for making this decision. You know best what you want in life and if you're not on the right path, then why carry on going that way?

PGM

I think you've done what you set out to do, which is build on the skills you have, job done.

Once you have some experience under your belt, you realise what is useful to you and your business. I think we've all done it in our younger years, just work towards a certificate for the sake of getting the qualification without really thinking the benefits through.

jilt

I have to say Jenni I'm rather surprised at you for saying you may not carry on but I agree whole heartedly with your reasons. Like you say there are more important things to do.

Interestingly enough ATT was mentioned this morning, my registration runs out October next year so I have to decide myself whether to do it or not. However like you only I can make that decision. I just hope like you I make mine soon, I do too much umming and erring!

Enjoy life Jenni, after all we only have the one! ... I think

Rinske

You surprised me as well with this Jenni, but it's your decision and your life and you know if the choice is right or not.

I can understand that if you got this far, you would like to finish it, but as you say, it is the extra subscription and the extra hours of CPD that will eat into things later.

If the subscription wouldn't go up or not as much and the AAT CPD and ATT CPD would be just combined into one, would you then consider continuing, just because you are so close? (I thought AAT had special rules that if you had to do CPD for another organisation, you don't have to do it for them anyways?) I know it's not important, I'm just curious.

Have you remembered and asked yourself what you wanted to gain from ATT when you started and do you think you've gained all that?

Sorry, not trying to convince you otherwise, just wondering if you got the summer in your head and just need a break, rather than giving it up completely. And I know you probably looked at this from every angle you could, but just in case!

I'm struggling to pick up my studies again as well at the moment. After the last year of breaks, irregular studies, while trying to build up a new social life and now my shoulder playing up, I feel tempted to throw it all in the wind as well, but I know it's more a matter of getting back into it and sticking to my plan, rather than giving up. However, that's my reason and life and choice and such, so I maybe just need a kick in the bum!

Anyways, just my two cents. I hope you feel happy and relieved after making the decision and that it will give some relief, and considering how busy you always are, I think you made the right choice!

Monsoon

Thanks all. Part of me still wants to finish it, but I don't think now is the right time - I have so much other stuff going on and I don't think there is any time limit as long as I renew my certificates. I don't think it's possible to formally close a door on it unless I want to.

Rinske, what I wanted to gain from ATT was more tax knowledge. I have that, and I have the certificates to prove it As for you, consider yourself kicked in the bum missis!

In a way, it was the ATT that made me make the decision - there was an advert in PQ magazine that said words to the effect of "Go for the full qualification or just gain Certificates of Competency in your chosen areas - it's up to you." I hadn't even considered leaving it where I was until I saw that and realised it was a legitimate option.

I probably will finish it at some point in the future but right now, I have other things to get on with

jow774

Cant fault you Monsoon. I often toy with the idea of further qualifications only to find that they cost too much in money and time and then there is the yearly subscriptions on top of my AAT fees and all for letters after your name that clients dont care about. Im sure the knowledge you have acquired will be very beneficial and at least if you change your mind in the future you can continue then. Im not knocking anyone who goes all the way but everyones circumstances are different.

noodles

I understand how you are feeling as I too have felt this many a times, I have recently got my LAW and only left with ETHICS which I am taking this wednesday. It took me 5 attempts to get the law which obviously is a lot of time and money. My words to you is that I don't think you will find it too hard. From seeing your posts and knowledge I do feel you will get this qualification sooner than you think. I personally would say, just sit the LAW exam and get a feel of it and then make your mind up, 40 marks are not to difficult to get, I got 39 twice ..... I have only been studying for the ETHICS for about 3 weeks and feel ready to take it. I, like you work full time and i have two children, the house work is being neglected and all I want now is to just pass this last one. What ever decision you make will be the right decision but just think about it for a bit longer as you may just pass that LAW exam first time and then in a few weeks pass the ETHICS and then by xmas you will have done it. As for the CPD, as far as I am aware you can use the AAT alongside the ATT - 45 hrs in total (30 + 15), you dont have to do both, I do recall reading it in this dam ethics tutorial!

RAS

I am in a similar situation. I passed two ATT exams about 4/5 years ago. I thought that the level of knowledge was just about right for those starting their own small practice wanting to gain more tax knowledge.

I think I still could update my registration to be able to take the final two exams but it would be quite expensive.

Probably if you have felt you have achieved your objective of gaining more knowledge and dont feel the final exam will help, then probably not worth carrying on and paying yearly subs etc when you have passed. Very much doubt would make any difference to most clients whether you can add extra letters after your name.

Dean

Pull your finger out and finish it off!

Regards

Dean

Gem7321

I know we talked about this before and I think you're making the right decision right now.

I've also decided that if I haven't passed those blinking e-assessments (I failed them by 3 marks) by the time I get my corporate tax results I'm going to have a break from them and come back (or not).

Monsoon

I've decided that in a few months, I've got £100 on account from a deferred exam, so I may as well sit one e-assessment. I will cram and wing it and see what happens. I can make a decision after that as to whether I actually then study and sit the next one (and indeed probably resit that one!).

Dean

Monsoon wrote: »

I've decided that in a few months, I've got £100 on account from a deferred exam, so I may as well sit one e-assessment. I will cram and wing it and see what happens. I can make a decision after that as to whether I actually then study and sit the next one (and indeed probably resit that one!).

:thumbup1:

Dean

Gem7321 wrote: »

I know we talked about this before and I think you're making the right decision right now.

I've also decided that if I haven't passed those blinking e-assessments (I failed them by 3 marks) by the time I get my corporate tax results I'm going to have a break from them and come back (or not).

Stick with it Gem! It'll be worth it in the end. :001_smile:

Regards

Dean

p.s How are you getting on with your tuition providers? I doubt I'll be using them again.

Gem7321

Not good Dean - I feel a letter coming on! Will PM you.

Rinske

Monsoon wrote: »

I've decided that in a few months, I've got £100 on account from a deferred exam, so I may as well sit one e-assessment. I will cram and wing it and see what happens. I can make a decision after that as to whether I actually then study and sit the next one (and indeed probably resit that one!).

Good on you!!!! Good luck studying