AAT to Business and Finance Degree??
Miss_HJ
Registered Posts: 89 Regular contributor ⭐
I completed the AAT a year or so ago and was quite happy and content with that, I decided I didn't want to follow the trend and be a fully qualified accountant with ACCA/CIMA as at my work there are too many studying for any progression!
That's all fine, however I have now moved into a new role in the company on a project and am being encouraged to progress myself through study (they will pay!) I still feel I dont want to be a qualified accountant but I like the idea of Business and Finance degree? or Business and Accountancy degree?
Its early days of me looking into it but Has anyone done this after AAT? Do what are the employability benefits to a qualified accountant? Are there any exemptions? etc
Thoughts/comments/advice welcome!!
That's all fine, however I have now moved into a new role in the company on a project and am being encouraged to progress myself through study (they will pay!) I still feel I dont want to be a qualified accountant but I like the idea of Business and Finance degree? or Business and Accountancy degree?
Its early days of me looking into it but Has anyone done this after AAT? Do what are the employability benefits to a qualified accountant? Are there any exemptions? etc
Thoughts/comments/advice welcome!!
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I can't comment on the suitability of the degree you mention, but just want to be pedantic and clarify that MAATs are qualified accountants. We're just not chartered accountants. Please don't think you aren't a qualified accountant already
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Its surprising how many people see AAT as a stepping stone, its a good qualification in its own right.0
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The AAT also do some sort of degree, like ACCA does, but i think there is a bit more involved. Perhaps that is something to look into? It is in partnership with Northampton University if I remember correctly.
Any other degree is likely to be VERY expensive, considering most universities are charging the max £9000 a year.0 -
As i said i am happy with my AAT, its that the employer are trying to get me as employable as possible whilst im on this project, its expected to be long term but once it completes they will try and slot us back into the main business, its a large company!
my old finance boss has suggested ACCA or CIMA but i dont want to be a chartered accountant, I am happy with AAT but in the business they like fully qualified, so hence my thoughts on a business element with finance.
Thanks for the tips on the AAT bit I will look into that!0 -
I completed the AAT a year or so ago and was quite happy and content with that, I decided I didn't want to follow the trend and be a fully qualified accountant with ACCA/CIMA as at my work there are too many studying for any progression!
That's all fine, however I have now moved into a new role in the company on a project and am being encouraged to progress myself through study (they will pay!) I still feel I dont want to be a qualified accountant but I like the idea of Business and Finance degree? or Business and Accountancy degree?
Its early days of me looking into it but Has anyone done this after AAT? Do what are the employability benefits to a qualified accountant? Are there any exemptions? etc
Thoughts/comments/advice welcome!!
I used the AAT as a 'stepping stone' onto the second year of an Accounting and Finance degree.
What do you hope you can get out of it? I had hoped that I would be able to get onto "graduate recruitment" schemes on the strength of my degree. Instead I found that most employers considered the two years I spent in full-time education to be time wasted.
I have yet to meet anyone who sees any employability benefits in an AAT-qualified person taking time out of work to do a degree. This might not quite be the case if you could do it while working full time.
I was granted generous exemptions from CIMA exams on the strength of my degree (F1, F2, P1, P2, plus C01-05 which I had from AAT anyway). However, without the work experience to back it up I have been unable to get into a halfway decent job where I am earning relevant experience.
With the benefit of hindsight, I can see that it was a terrible mistake for me to make and I regret the decision greatly. I am sorry if this sounds harsh or negative, but I do not want to see anyone make the same mistake.0 -
I know its an old discussion point and that the definition of "qualified account" is not protected, but I think that the general understanding of the term qualified accountant relates for CCAB qualified. I doubt that an employment agency or a top ten accountancy firm would consider an AAT as a qualified accountant. Totally accept that there are some very good AAT qualifieds and very poor CCAB qualifieds, but still think that most people in the profession would not consider AAT as being a qualified account.0
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but still think that most people in the profession would not consider AAT as being a qualified account.
Then the AAT need to do more to correct this belief.
CCAB folk are qualified chartered accountants.
Ergo, there must be qualified non-chartered accountants in order to make that distinction.
Non-chartered qualified accountants include AAT and Institue of Financial Accountants.
There are so many accountants who are MAAT. I wish the AAT would drop the word "technician."
AAT is far more recognised than the IFA, yet some people rank us below them because we don't have "accountant" in the title.0 -
Monsoon I am MAAT and the way I understand it is that if you are AAT then you are not really a qualified accountant in the real meaning. My boss is ACCA and I consider her to be a qualified accountant whereas I would never get to be an audit manager with just AAT that's what the agency said to me before I got my new job and the lady that got me my job was also a chartered accountant in an agency so I accepted it.
I do agree with Ras that anyone without knowledge of the qualification status would assume a qualified accountant to be ACCA ACA CIMA or otherwise but not AAT.
I also quite like being a technician as I personally think it is distinguishing. That's what I put on my CV anyway 0 -
Then the AAT need to do more to correct this belief.
CCAB folk are qualified chartered accountants.
Ergo, there must be qualified non-chartered accountants in order to make that distinction.
Non-chartered qualified accountants include AAT and Institue of Financial Accountants.
There are so many accountants who are MAAT. I wish the AAT would drop the word "technician."
AAT is far more recognised than the IFA, yet some people rank us below them because we don't have "accountant" in the title.
AAT should be changed to mean Association of Accountant Technicians0 -
Monsoon I am MAAT and the way I understand it is that if you are AAT then you are not really a qualified accountant in the real meaning. My boss is ACCA and I consider her to be a qualified accountant whereas I would never get to be an audit manager with just AAT that's what the agency said to me before I got my new job and the lady that got me my job was also a chartered accountant in an agency so I accepted it.
I do agree with Ras that anyone without knowledge of the qualification status would assume a qualified accountant to be ACCA ACA CIMA or otherwise but not AAT.
I also quite like being a technician as I personally think it is distinguishing. That's what I put on my CV anyway
What real meaning? There's no "real meaning" by law. An accountant is someone who fulfils the function of an accountant. Qualified means "Having the appropriate qualifications for an office, position, or task." Accountants prepare accounts. Is that not what the AAT teaches us?
It's different in most employment environments and I know the chartered qualifications carry far more weight there, and I can't comment on employment in industry. However, as an employer I definitely consider AAT qualifieds to be accountants.
In practice, I'm most definitely a qualified accountant, by virtue of my qualifications and my extensive experience. I would have serious words with anyone who tried to tell me otherwise. I think all my clients would consider me a qualified accountant.
Yes, I know I probably sound defensive. Yes, most defnitely have a bee in my bonnet about this. I know there is a certain perception about what is and what is not a qualified accountant. I guess I'm just surprised that some AAT members aren't bothered about it.AAT should be changed to mean Association of Accountant Technicians
Association of Technical Accountants?0 -
I know of someone who has the letters QBE after his name, Qualified by Experience. As the term "qualified accountant" isn't protected, then the reality is that if you consider you have sufficient experience then you don`t necessarily have to pass any accountancy exams to call yourself a qualified accountant.
I guess it is more important on the standard of work you carry out rather than what you call yourself. However, I still think that the general perception is that "chartered/certified accountant" has the same meaning as a "qualified accountant". Not saying that is right or wrong.0 -
I say I'm a qualified accountant. Chartered accountants should say "I'm a chartered accountant".0
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Perhaps AAT accountants should call themselves "I'm an AAT qualified accountant" Don't see a problem with that.0
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The term "Technical Accountant" is already in much use and implies a certain mix of work carried out. Because of this it would not be appropriate for AAT to use this term0
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ThanksBookworm55 wrote: »I used the AAT as a 'stepping stone' onto the second year of an Accounting and Finance degree.
What do you hope you can get out of it? I had hoped that I would be able to get onto "graduate recruitment" schemes on the strength of my degree. Instead I found that most employers considered the two years I spent in full-time education to be time wasted.
I have yet to meet anyone who sees any employability benefits in an AAT-qualified person taking time out of work to do a degree. This might not quite be the case if you could do it while working full time.
I was granted generous exemptions from CIMA exams on the strength of my degree (F1, F2, P1, P2, plus C01-05 which I had from AAT anyway). However, without the work experience to back it up I have been unable to get into a halfway decent job where I am earning relevant experience.
With the benefit of hindsight, I can see that it was a terrible mistake for me to make and I regret the decision greatly. I am sorry if this sounds harsh or negative, but I do not want to see anyone make the same mistake.
Thank you for this, I have been doing some research myself to see what the industry is looking for, although i am in a secure job I want to know what I am taking on is of benefit to me should I need to get another job. I would be studying whilst working and my job is secure so I wouldnt have to worry about finding employment after.
My research has shown reardless of the position that everyone seems to want CCAB, I am a financial controller at the moment with 4 years Management Accounts experience and MAAT, however I would not feel confident applying for the roles I found and I looked at lots, TBH unless I was CCAB or studying I dont think I would meet the criteria and knowing from a role just filled in my department Management were ruthless and if the CV didnt state qualified they wernt considered regardless of experience! its sad, but I guess I need to do what will benefit me and my career and I am now looking into ACCA with my finance Managers approval.
Best to get this all out the way whilst I am still young I guess!!
Glad I raised the subject as it would be a long hard slog and to no benefit in the end.0
