AAT NVQ vs Diploma - UCAS points wanted by employers?

Hi,

I am researching accounting to see if it is a viable career path for me and would like to ask some questions, I hope that is ok. I see some parallels between a career in accounting and law. My brother ended up with a third class degree in law and has found it impossible to find a training contract, which effectively means he will can't practice. I don't want to invest several years if I will end up in a similar situation.

I was first looking at job offers on various websites for training contracts and as I am sure you are aware, most of the big firms want applicants with at least a 2:1 and 280 UCAS points.

My concern is that my lack of motivation when I was younger through my A Levels and first degree could cause a big problem for me like my brother.

I am 25, I think I have around 180 UCAS points (CDE) and a BA (Hons) in Film Studies, which is shamefully a third class, and not a useful subject. I did continue on and do a MA (Merit) which I did much better in as I decided to pull my finger out but perhaps it is too little too late.

Now the AAT NVQ is worth 160 UCAS points but the Diploma is worth nothing as far as I can make out. I wonder whether these extra points may work in my favour if I continue training and seek out a contract. This means I would need to find a job in a financial role. At the moment I work in the family business which is a restaurant, I wonder if I can use these accounts for my NVQ rather than seeking out somewhere else.

Basically I would like to know, with my prior academic records, is it realistic for me to get anywhere in accounting, sure I can complete the AAT diploma or NVQ, but I would still need to find a job.

I am being optimistic and hoping that with the AAT (either path), I can demonstrate to the employers that I am not the same as I was when I was younger and have learnt from my mistakes. Hopefully once my foot is in the door and I have experience they may be more willing to invest in me should I wish to train for the ACCA or ACA.

I don't think I will ever find a job with one of the big multinationals but maybe smaller local firms will be less demanding about academic records as long as I show them I will do a good job.

I may try to find some work experience to see if I would enjoy accounting because I don't really know anything about it yet. My brain is swirling around trying to make sense of all the different professional organisations and their various qualifications.

I understand the economy is still recovering but if it takes me 3 years to finish, I hope by then it will be doing well again and accounting job prospects will be good.

For those of you that read everything, thank you for your patience. If you have any feedback or comments, positive or negative, please post them. I want to be optimistic but I am also cautious.