AAT Qualified,but offered ATT studying

Michaelaaadd12

Hey guys,

I'm qualified to level 3 AAT, and have applied for a loads of roles recently one highly regarded practice around my area has gotten back to me.

They are offering me to study ATT. My question is at 20 years old do you think being CTA qualified and then eventually finishing off my AAT studies and going for ACCA would be a good idea?

The reason I'm asking this is because it's a great opportunity for me at this age and I don't mind working in practice (offered good salary/study) but eventually I'd like to work in a big business as a financial controller or director. So would being CTA and ACCA qualified help this?

Just super confused about the path I'd be taking. Thinking the experience in multiple areas would be valuable to a big business employer but I'm unsure so wondering if anyone out there has any opinions on this.

Thankyou, sorry if it's a bit jumbled.

Michaelaaadd12

Also heard moving from practice to industry is easier than vice versa so another reason I'm thinking about this role

Bertie

Ok this is simple.

Bite their bloody hand off.

David Ballantyne

If you take this opportunity to do ATT then CTA and/or complete AAT/ACCA you should be able to develop a career in practice and eventually achieve a senior manager or possible partner/director level role.

An additional advantage of developing a career in practice is that you could start your own practice with the experience you have gained. If you achieve partner/director level in a practice or start your own practice you could probably earn as much as you would as a Financial Controller/Finance Director in industry.

You could, once having completed your professional qualifications, move to industry. However, you will probably find that any industry role would be closely aligned to your experience in practice i.e. audit or financial accounting or tax. If you would be happy with this, then it is not a problem.

My conclusion / advice is that if it were me, I would take the opportunity to gain practice experience and qualifications and then start my own practice. It is my belief that it is easier to achieve higher earnings, greater job security, job satisfaction via this route than in industry. On the other hand, it depends on your personal aspirations.

Michaelaaadd12

@David Ballantyne So you're saying if I was to leave practice at a senior level I'd most likely be put into a junior level industry role?

David Ballantyne

Hi, is it Michael or Michaela?

No, I don't mean that you would move from a senior role to a junior role. What I mean is that the specialist experience you develop in practice will govern the type of roles you are most likely to be recruited for in industry.

For example, if you specialise in tax in practice, you would most likely only be able to market yourself into tax specialist roles in industry in organisations large enough to justify employing a tax specialist.

On the other hand, if in your practice career you gain a wide range of experience, for example, if you have good general exposure to financial accounting, management accounting, tax, payroll and staff management then moving into industry at a senior level would probably be quite realistic. Your most obvious route would probably be to go and work for one of the larger clients of the practice you work for.

David.

Bertie

My friend,

Take this opportunity, decide afterwards.

If you never listen to me in the future through posts - take this.

TAKE IT!

If you don't there are 5000 who would.

It's as simple as that.

Don't be a donut - this is your golden ticket.

David Ballantyne

I can only further echo Bertie's advice.

crispy

Hi,

All of the above sounds like sound advice and a good opportunity for an employer who will readily support you to complete AAT and then move onto further qualifications - I would go for it ! Am a little older than you (gulp!) but am also looking at careers advice, not sure whether I should stay / start looking at leaving or am underpaid / overpaid or should just be grateful to have a job ! Always difficult when making big decisions which greatly effect your life