Those not in practice, what do you do?

Melody87

Hi Everyone,

I'm MAAT and feel like I'm not using it to it's full potential as a Purchase Ledger/Accounts Assistant for a dealership.

What do you do? and is your MAAT useful in your job?

Is there some exciting jobs you can do in accounts?

Cheers
Mel

mandatory

Hi Mel,

I'm MAAT and I've recently become a management accountant for a small charity after starting here as an accounts assistant. Being MAAT has certainly helped me on my way as I plan to become chartered next year, and I imagine that if I was to change industries my MAAT status would help me find another job. I'm sure there are plenty of exciting jobs in accounts, I personally would like to go into more of an analysis role but this would be in future. Quite happy where I am now.

Manda

Carole

I work for a family owned construction company and I do the whole of the accounts function from start to finish. I do all the ledger work, costings, invoice queries etc. right through to annual management accounts and statutory accounts preparation for the auditors, payroll, VAT. You name it I do it all.

With your AAT qualification you could certainly move on from your current role. In the early days I used to move on every 1-2 years. Until I found a job I was happy in and where I felt appreciated. Ive been in this one for 18 years now.

stevef

It all depends on what you consider exciting - I have always worked in the public sector - many decades ago when I AAT qualified I was working in a District Council in Devon and was moved into the Internal Audit Special Investigations team (dealing with one off audits outside the plan and fraud work). From there to a District Coucil in Wales as Senior Auditor, specialising in contract audit and fraud. Then to heading up the purchase ledger, payroll and data prep teams before moving back to Audit as Deputy Chief (Planning and quality control).

I then ACCA qualified at the same time as Local Govt reorganisation and moved to a Welsh Unitary Authority as Senior Auditor in the Education team (Mainly school visits). Moved to another Welsh Unitary as Senior Accountant in the Education and Cultural Services Department. Then Group Technical Accountant (running the teams diciphering legislation and accounting regulations, treasury management and pension fund accounting), then promoted to Manager of Pension Fund investments Treasury Management.

Moved to a Welsh Fire and Rescue Service as Head of Finance and Deputy Treasurer (responsible for all accounting issues, treasury management, exchequer services and payroll), frequently representing the Treasurer in Authority meetings. My employer supports my work with ACCA, CIPFA, the Welsh Government, Wales Audit Office and A4S (Wales) on sustainable development reporting issues, and in my work with CIPFA and the Welsh Fire and Rescue national groups on Financial Reporting Standards and the Code of Practice.

All pretty exciting now, but I had to work my years through the drudgery of junior costing posts, making tea, calculating rent allowances, filing, collecting rent, making tea, tick and turn auditing, proof reading reports and of course, making tea. AAT raised me above the early drudgery (apart from making tea, but I have now gained enough experience to make coffee as well (but soup is still beyond me)).

So I guess I am saying that we all have to serve our time at the mundane face of finance to gain experience (and how to make an acceptable mug of tea or coffee), but it can get exciting - if you define exciting in an accountancy sort of way. Just hang in there and make the best use of opportunities that come your way.

T.C.

I do work in practice....BUT I am also an AAT Tutor ! This is great fun.

Melody87

Thanks, some interesting posts. I did fancy an AAT tutor role actually but it seemed like a lot of extra years studying!

I certainly don't mind making tea, yum!

I have actually made the decision to take the plunge in to self employment and get rid of the boss hopefully forever. Bosses are probably the part I like least about working so If I can bin him/her that would make accounts more fun straight away!

Shahid

I completed my AAT qualification when I was working as a book-keeper. That was quite exciting role because I worked eevery aspect of accounting function.

Now I am working in Payroll since last 12 years. I found it very interesting. Can't make full use of AAT in payroll but it is a very interesting and I really enjoy it.

Josiecart

Hi

Only just joined the forum so this is a bit of a late response! I'm a School Business Manager in a primary school and AAT is definitely useful in this role as I plan and monitor a budget of approx £1 million as well as doing the day to day financial transactions. School is certainly an interesting (if at times, frustrating) place to work but finance is only part of my job. For anyone that wants to stick with finance there tend to be more solely finance jobs in secondary schools and academy schools. Academies are both charities and limited companies so they have different requirements to state schools and usually ask for AAT as a minimum for Finance Manager type jobs.

Jo

Jo Clark

They also ask for CSBM/DSBM sometimes essential, othertimes desirable

Josiecart

Jo Clark wrote: »

They also ask for CSBM/DSBM sometimes essential, othertimes desirable

Yes, that's true but it can be difficult to get on CSBM if you don't already work in a school so sometimes a willingness to do it is enough. I did CSBM a few years ago and I would say it's very generalist, it provides a good overview of school functions but the actual finance part is very lightweight. DSBM is focused on strategy and leadership so doesn't cover the functions e.g. HR, finance, premises etc. The courses are offered through the National College for School Leadership (NCSL) www.ncsl.org.uk if anyone wants to have a look.

Jo