Slightly confused..What next?
imtiaz
Registered Posts: 20 Dedicated contributor 🦉
Hi, I have looked through the forums, while many posts have been made regarding this topic, I haven't come across one which just quite nails it, so I apologize in advance.
I am unsure whether I should go down a university degree route or straight into ACCA after completing AAT.
The main pressure to complete a degree is coming from my father, while I wouldn't mind completing a degree I don't want to be wasting precious time by doing a degree, instead of going direct through ACCA.
I have organized volunteer work in a practice. As I am lucky enough to be financially stable I could in essence gain considerable work experience over a period of time there.
Is there a way that I could complete ACCA fully or partly and use the ACCA qualification attained to possibly take a year out to complete a degree just to satisfy my father?
I'm 23, have 5 GCSEs Grades A - B, 1 As level - B, and now gaining the AAT qualification also. I have studied A level maths and chemistry previously, I will probably complete those over time as I complete the accounting qualifications. Academically I believe myself to be extremely capable, over the years I had some problems which affected my studies.
So back to the main question, degree, direct ACCA or both? If both then how do I go about that? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I am unsure whether I should go down a university degree route or straight into ACCA after completing AAT.
The main pressure to complete a degree is coming from my father, while I wouldn't mind completing a degree I don't want to be wasting precious time by doing a degree, instead of going direct through ACCA.
I have organized volunteer work in a practice. As I am lucky enough to be financially stable I could in essence gain considerable work experience over a period of time there.
Is there a way that I could complete ACCA fully or partly and use the ACCA qualification attained to possibly take a year out to complete a degree just to satisfy my father?
I'm 23, have 5 GCSEs Grades A - B, 1 As level - B, and now gaining the AAT qualification also. I have studied A level maths and chemistry previously, I will probably complete those over time as I complete the accounting qualifications. Academically I believe myself to be extremely capable, over the years I had some problems which affected my studies.
So back to the main question, degree, direct ACCA or both? If both then how do I go about that? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Comments
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Do you know about the ACCA/Oxford Brooke's degree option?
Personally I'd go to university - best years of my life!0 -
I'll assume you don't as I'm sure you would have mentioned it in your post if you did (apologies if you know all about it).
Basically, you complete F4-9 of ACCA, complete a dissertation type project, and bingo, you have a BSc in Applied Accounting (if you have high enough marks of course). I don't know how highly the degree is thought of by employers so can't comment.
As I say though, I wouldn't swap my university days for the world, and what's a few years in the whole scheme of things. Some relevant degrees can also exempt you from F1-F9 too, so that's another option.
I suppose you should also consider the experience you are currently gaining. There is an argument that this is worth more than any qualification.0 -
I am unsure whether I should go down a university degree route or straight into ACCA after completing AAT.
The main pressure to complete a degree is coming from my father, while I wouldn't mind completing a degree I don't want to be wasting precious time by doing a degree, instead of going direct through ACCA.
I have organized volunteer work in a practice. As I am lucky enough to be financially stable I could in essence gain considerable work experience over a period of time there.
I would do what you want to do rather than what anyone else wants you to do - this is your career, and possibly a large part of your life you're talking about here. Why exactly is your father pressurising you so much to get a degree? Is it because he thinks highly of people who have degrees? If so, he should think very highly of you if you completed the ACCA qualification, it is a well respected professional qualification and a lot of hard work goes into completing it.
When I finished sixth form I was under pressure from my teachers to go to uni. I'd decided early on this wasn't the right path for me, but no-one seemed to understand that. I think there should have been a lot more focus on other career options available (e.g. vocational qualifications) not just assuming everyone wants to go to uni. I wanted to get work experience, and always thought I could try and get a degree later on in life. As it turned out I'm now studying ACCA and hoping to get a degree that way. (I'm currently working on my dissertation now.)
If I was you I would envisage how you see the two options unfolding. I think you're in a great position to be getting accounting work experience - I presume you'd have to give this up if you went to uni now? Then where would you be in two or three years time - yes, you may have a good degree, but not necessarily much work experience to support it, and possibly some student debt to go with it.
Personally I would recommend ACCA and the Bsc degree, but overall you have to be happy with whatever decision you make otherwise it will be a long slog if your heart's not in it. Good luck.0 -
I think you need to take the path that is right for you and not your Father.
ACCA is a wonderful qualification to obtain and allied to your work experience could give you an excellent
springboard for your career.
However, if you feel you want to enjoy three years of University life before committing then go for that
option.
I'm in my early 30's and working through ACCA but would love to get a degree at some point in the
future. However I don't want to do any degree in accountancy.
Mark0 -
Thanks for the advice.
I have now looked into the ACCA/Oxford Brookes option and will most likely take that route.
It is true that if I take a direct degree path after AAT I will firstly have to move from where I currently live meaning my expenses increase considerably, secondly gain some debt, and I will have to give up the work experience I have organised, which to be fair is too much to lose, infact going to university will definitly be a step sideways and not forwards in this case.
Thanks again to all who replied.
Imtiaz0
