can someone help me please?

dannibauros

Hi, i’m 20 year’s old and working as an accounts assistant. on the 4th i start my new job as another accounts assistant as i wasn’t progressing at my old job and i was there since i left school and doing the same thing all day. i want to eventually be a financial controller and i’m starting my aat level 2 in january. what is the best way to do this? do levels 2,3&4 then move on to CIMA? some university’s take people after level 3 would that be a better route? sorry i just don’t know what route is best to take

David Ballantyne

Hi Danni,

Please read my following comment on another thread;
"Is it better to do AAT first? A colleague where I work recently said to me that he qualified with AAT, then completed CIMA. He felt that doing AAT first gave him a solid, in depth knowledge of bookkeeping that he felt was lacking in CIMA. I am also CIMA part-qualified, and I do agree with him on this.

However, if I was in your situation, I would go directly into CIMA or ACCA. Why spend 5 to 8 years studying AAT then ACCA/CIMA when you could spend 3 to 5 years studying ACCA/CIMA instead? If you feel it necessary, you could always buy AAT textbooks to supplement your ACCA/CIMA studies. The result of both options is the same, but the second option would save you 2 to 3 years."

The thread link is here: https://forums.aat.org.uk/Forum/discussion/comment/459714#Comment_459714

If you are really focused on being a financial controller and you want to get there as quickly as possible, I would suggest you drop your AAT studies and go straight into studying CIMA now.

You can start with the introductory CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting now. You do not need to have any prior qualifications to do this. Link here: https://cimaglobal.com/Qualifications/cert-ba/

You can then move on to the professional qualification. Link here: https://cimaglobal.com/Qualifications/Professional-Qualification/

The main things that will affect your career progression are how much of the CIMA qualification you have completed and what experience you have been able to gain as you develop your career. If you want to make money sooner focus on progressing you CIMA qualification and gaining experience.

For the reasons given in the previous paragraph I do not think that a degree is essential. However, having a degree can be helpful in setting yourself apart from those in the job market who do not have a degree.

If you decide that you want to have a degree as well, CIMA has provided information on universities which enable you to study CIMA as part of your degree course. Link here: https://cimaglobal.com/Our-locations/UK/find-out-about-joining-us/I-am-about-to-leave-school/UK-University-Partnerships/Study-for-CIMA-through-a-degree/

When choosing a degree course, I would strongly advise you to choose one which would give you a degree and the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting. For example, this one; rgu.ac.uk/business-management-and-accounting/study-options/online-and-distance-learning/bsc-accounting-with-cima. This is the maximum possible benefit you could gain from a degree course. For information, the level of degree would be a bachelor's degree.

You should be aware that you will still have the CIMA Strategic Level to complete even if you do a degree.

Another option in respect of a degree is to complete your CIMA studies and then study for a masters degree. This is the next grade up from a bachelors degree.

As a safety net, completing exams with CIMA will gain you exemptions from AAT exams so all is not lost if you find it too difficult to finish CIMA. Link here: https://aat.org.uk/membership/join-aat-from-another-professional-body

That is all I can think of for now.

Hope that helps.

David.

Dipa

Hi,

I am trying to get started with self study and am wondering if I need a training provider??
And how to register? Looking for Level 2 &3.