ACCA or ATT ?

Lucy_M

Evening!

Am starting to think about where to go next and just wondered what other people are thinking... I intend to go into practise for myself and had always though I would work my way through ACCA while building up experience and a client base but am wondering if ATT might be a worthwhile option?

Have any of the lovely MIP's and MAAT's who help us with answers and advice any input?

The one thing I am certain of is that I do not want to go into Management Accounting, I much prefer the Annual accounts and tax side of things...

Look forward to hearing your views and opinions!

Clintm15

Hi Lucy,

I felt the same way as you and I opted for ACCA. I love it. I can't comment on ATT as I do not know too much about it.

PGM

I did ACCA, but ATT could be the way to go if building your own practice.

Lucy_M

Thanks for the input, am tempted to go with ATT initially as will be more pertinent to start with, then on to ACCA afterwards... makes me laugh when I think how desperate I was to leave school and now, nearly 30 years later, I can't get enough

aaron0121

Hi Lucy,

I work in practise and I did opt for the ACCA option as it does cover a variety of topics such as tax, financial accounts,law, auditing. I also felt that it would help to keep my options open throughout my career as it covers such a large scope, I'm not too sure sure what ATT covers but i think it's pure tax. On a side note there is also management accounts covered in the ACCA syllabus which you might enjoy studying, it's similar to budgeting and financial performance in level 4 but a lot more advanced I'm guessing lol

As you prefer the financial side maybe go straight into ACCA? But as you're looking to build a practise rather than working for a firm, your plan does sound good of studying ATT first, then ACCA after.

Hope this helps

Aaron

Clintm15

Hi Aaaron,

What's Corporate Law like? I'm dreading that unit, please make me feel better about it.

aaron0121

Hi Clint,

You're dreading law, I'm dreading tax!

There is a lot of information to take in for law and you do need to know the different cases. However for me it's actually really interesting studying and I'm enjoying so far, which is always a bonus. I did opt for the self study option, which I'm not regretting at the moment lol

Honestly I don't think you will have anything to worry about, if you're good at absorbing information and can apply that knowledge to the questions you should be fine. I have heard that the syllabus is changing for law from december 2014 sittings and onwards, so that could work in your favour also.

Good luck with F7 in June

How's F7 looking?

Aaron

Makkusu

I'm intrigued why people are advising ATT to be the better option to setting up in practice? ACCA/ACA is a far more prestigious pathway if this is your end goal, I've encountered experienced ATT qualified individuals who are constantly lectured in practice by PQ ACCA's, likewise, when it comes to tax we all know who to look to, but a good practice isn't all about tax.

ACCA will cover a more than adequate level of taxation if you take both F6 & P6, it'll also leave you with well-rounded and essential knowledge which is far more attractive in my opinion. If you're looking to pursue a career solely in taxation, or aim to start a tax orientated advisory firm then look no further than ATT/CTA. But generally speaking for a standard accountancy practice I wouldn't deviate outside the norm of ACCA/ACA.

Those are my thoughts anyway.

Rozzi Rainbow

ACCA have very strict rules about the type of work you can carry out whilst studying with them, if you are self employed (i.e. already have your own practice). I think if people want to set up their own practice first, then continue studying (or a mixture of the two) then ATT is the more practical option.

I agree with the above post - ACCA is the option I've taken as I'm employed in practice.

BeccaLouJ9

I went from AAT to ATT. I enjoyed tax at AAT and thought it would be more relevant in the work I do right now. I work in practice, where there are FCCA's, ACCA's and some MAAT/AAT's.... we all do the same work! Makkusu, I think my ATT studies have been very applicable to the work I do, and we don't specialise in tax. I see where you're coming from, but I don't agree that ACCA would be more 'prestigious'. I don't think either is more or less a better option for setting up a practice.

I think go with whichever you feel is going to be more relevant to the work you will carry out, but also the one which you will enjoy the most. There is no point doing one over the other if you aren't going to enjoy it.

Personally, once I finish ATT I will either go on to CTA or ACCA, and then the other. So really it was a case of which one I'd prefer to do first rather than at all!

Good luck with what you decide!

B xxx

Clintm15

aaron0121 wrote: »

Hi Clint,

You're dreading law, I'm dreading tax!

There is a lot of information to take in for law and you do need to know the different cases. However for me it's actually really interesting studying and I'm enjoying so far, which is always a bonus. I did opt for the self study option, which I'm not regretting at the moment lol

Honestly I don't think you will have anything to worry about, if you're good at absorbing information and can apply that knowledge to the questions you should be fine. I have heard that the syllabus is changing for law from december 2014 sittings and onwards, so that could work in your favour also.

Good luck with F7 in June

How's F7 looking?

Aaron

Thanks Aaron,

Good luck to you too.

Lucy_M

Hi all,

Thanks everyone for the advice, very much appreciated, read them a while ago but have had problems logging in for weeks so couldn't reply!!

TBH still can't decide as it swings both ways.... Rozzi Rainbow your point about ACCA's restrictions is interesting, will need to find out more about that as obviously it's extremely pertinent! Otherwise it will probably come down to the cost of the courses, simply put I can spread the cost of ACCA which I don't think I can with ACCA, quite like the idea of a more rounded knowledge base too.

Happy weekend:001_smile: