Completed AAT Level 4. Where can I get information / information pack about ACCA?

Turnip

Hello, obviously this discussion isn't AAT related but I feel in the dark about this stuff and this forum has been very helpful in the past.

I got my AAT Level 4 late last year and have been working in the accounts department since December. I'm getting my experience but I don't know to which capacity the experience can be used for ACCA as a) I am yet to apply to start ACCA or b) none of the others there have my qualifications (I am the most qualified person in the department according to the accounts manager. So thus I don't know whether I am passively getting closer to the required experience or not.

Essentially, my problem is that I find the whole ACCA stuff very vague and I am yet to get concise and helpful information about what it all is, how it works and how I proceed with it. I understand that an AAT Level 4 qualification allows me to skip certain segments of the ACCA but I don't know much about the rest of them. It's possible I'm just being a bit dense but I simply don't know where to start and I don't know for sure what I am applying for etc.

So, does anyone know where I can obtain an information pack (of any description) which could explain the whole ACCA thing in layman's terms? I found understanding AAT much simpler and straight-forward (but that may have been because I did most of it in the classroom where this would be at a distance).

I appreciate any help that can be provided. Thanks.

N4T

Hi,
There is a lot of information to take in but all the information you need is in on their website.
The FAQs is always a good starting point.

I will send you links to ACCA website because it's pointless me regurgitating information and there is a lot to cover. You need 3 years practical experience. See here to find out what is relevant and how to gain experience
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/practical-experience/36-months-practical-experience.html

You say you are the most qualified in your department and there is no one there to advise you. What about your line manager? The financial accountant? There must be a qualified accountant within your organisation. You will need to find a supervisor who is willing and qualified to sign off your experience. Go to them with your questions.

There are 14 papers. See here for the list and for syllabus content. http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/qualifications/glance/acca/how.html

You are exempt from F1 F2 F3
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/help/exemptions-calculator.html

There is information on the website regarding methods of study, fees etc

Maybe some one else can explain it in layman terms if you are still confused. I am not studying ACCA so don't have any personal experience to share this is just what I found by going onto their website. If you are still unsure after reading the information or have further queries call ACCA.

Good luck with this.

Turnip

N4T said:

Hi,
You say you are the most qualified in your department and there is no one there to advise you. What about your line manager? The financial accountant? There must be a qualified accountant within your organisation. You will need to find a supervisor who is willing and qualified to sign off your experience. Go to them with your questions.

Ha, afraid not. The accounts manager never passed Level 4: she told me she got stuck on "the triangles" (which I later learnt were variances). Our organisation is only a medium-sized company and the directors don't pay a big enough wage to attract the more qualified. The accountant we use is essentially a contractor who comes in once in a blue moon to do what is necessary before he disappears. I do have other reasons for wanting to leave but they aren't related to accounting. So all in all whilst I haven't eliminated the company's worth to ACCA I would rather obtain the necessary experience elsewhere if I were given the choice.

That being said I do appreciate your assistance in this matter. I've been sitting on this for about eight months and your advice shall hopefully kick start me into action

Thanks again.

N4T

You do need a mentor or supervisor at the organisation to verify your work experience. It doesn't sound like there is a suitable person at your current workplace. So even if the experience is relevant it will not be recognised
"Your practical experience supervisor should be someone who:
is a qualified accountant*
works closely with you
knows your work."