Benefit of AAT

mergen

Hi everyone,

Thought I would ask here. Recently started Level 4, having finished 2 & 3 and work as Assistant Accountant. So far I haven't had to apply anything that I've learned and studied in L2,3 and 4.
Has anyone else had the same experience, everything that I have learned it's either done completely differently in practice or not done at all.

I guess L2 does give grounding of where/how Dr and Cr work/applied, but L3 and so far L4 no relevance at all.

Just as an example at work I deal with, Fixed Assets, Costings, Prepayments, Accruals and etc

Thanks

Bertie

Just as an example at work I deal with, Fixed Assets, Costings, Prepayments, Accruals and etc



Thanks

You haven't applied any of your knowledge gained from studying AAT?

I find that hard to believe.

To answer your question - I've always used my AAT knowledge, granted some areas require a more detailed knowledge of what AAT touches on the surface.

How long have you been there? Maybe time for a change of employment?

mergen

> @Bertie said:
> Just as an example at work I deal with, Fixed Assets, Costings, Prepayments, Accruals and etc
>
>
>
> Thanks You haven't applied any of your knowledge gained from studying AAT?
>
> I find that hard to believe.
>
> To answer your question - I've always used my AAT knowledge, granted some areas require a more detailed knowledge of what AAT touches on the surface.
>
> How long have you been there? Maybe time for a change of employment?

Thanks for your reply. The only knowledge that I have applied is Dr, Cr and depreciation of assets, everything else I feel like it has been a waste of time studying.
Not sure why a change of employment would help. In my previous role as a finance/accounts assistant while helping out management accounts team, again I did not have to apply any of my knowledge. Colleagues have mentioned the same thing as well and in the current place.

Examples: MABU - majority of companies never use flexed budgets, as they see it unnecessary. MDCL - cost variances, in practice they are worked out completely differently and much easier. Prepayments and Accruals - I never had to apply the 'PAPA' rule.

Zoynal98

Have you done Level 4 Financial Statements? I think a lot you learn from this module can be implemented.

Bertie

I'm not sure why my post did not show your quote properly, maybe I deleted one too many BR tags -

Anyway.

If you're performing accruals and prepayments how are you doing them if it is not how you were taught from level 3?

As an assistant, a real one not one who is classed as one but has to perform processes of a seasoned pro - you will only be doing the basics.

mergen

Zoynal98 said:

Have you done Level 4 Financial Statements? I think a lot you learn from this module can be implemented.

Not yet, just waiting for the new timetable to come out.

mergen

Bertie said:

I'm not sure why my post did not show your quote properly, maybe I deleted one too many BR tags -

Anyway.

If you're performing accruals and prepayments how are you doing them if it is not how you were taught from level 3?

As an assistant, a real one not one who is classed as one but has to perform processes of a seasoned pro - you will only be doing the basics.

I thought that as well, oh well.

Think I am answering my own question, as I am typing lol. Think it all depends in which industry we work at.

Accruals and prepayments - Dr Prep and Cr Rent, then release it over 3 months by doing the opposite. Dr Phone and Cr Accrual. Those are just examples (not from work).

I think you are right in that, it depends what level/position I hold. The further I progress the more in depth knowledge and understanding I will get.

One thing I will point is that AAT should implement more of excel into their syllabuses and more real life scenarios.

Bertie

There are Excel resources found within the myAAT portal.

The trouble with Excel, in a positive way, is that it is a huge piece of kit. To try to cover every element would be an entire level, never mind a unit.

Search around for Excel for business, or Excel for finance and such.

What packages are you using at work? What is it you are using Excel for?