ACA vs ACCA.... very confused

There was a discussion on here about this last week too. My opinion, for what it's worth.....

I'm doing ACCA and the Oxford Brookes degree, but only because the degree is so little work on top of what I'm already doing. And that's the issue, almost everyone who is recently ACCA qualified will have had the opportunity to do the degree, so really, what is it's worth? It's not really going to set you apart from the other 1000's of ACCA qualifiers. I often see on other forums, foreign students talking about how it's the easiest way to get a UK degree, interpret that how you will.

However, if you don't already have a degree and want the satisfaction of having one, then it's ideal. I just don't think it will be viewed particularly highly when it is having to compete against 1st's and 2:1's from red brick uni's. Just my opinion, I have no concrete grounds for any of this.

If it were me and I had the choice of ACCA and ACA, I'd go for ACA, purely because it is SOMETIMES seen as more prestigious. To start ACA you have already had to prove yourself to an employer whereas anyone can start ACCA. Of course, those less able will certainly have fallen by the wayside along the ACCA route so theoretically once chartered there should be no difference. However, realistically ACA is seen as better by some, so why take the risk if you have the choice? I believe in hedging my bets.

As I say, I'm on the ACCA route as I don't yet work in accounting, and I think it's an excellent qualification (I'm just over half way through) so I don't think you'll go far wrong whichever route you choose.

I would never dissuade someone from doing a degree and if the opportunity is there to do it, then I'd say do it. But I wouldn't choose ACCA vs ACA on the basis of the degree. If you really want the satisfaction of knowing you have a degree then go for it, but if you're hoping that it will open doors for you, then I really am not sure that it will. I may be wrong and perhaps someone can correct me if I am.

You are probably better placed than me to know this, but once you are fully qualified as a chartered accountant with the necessary experience, are there any jobs out there that will still insist you are a graduate despite being chartered (or is the graduate issue more for trainee roles with the Big 4 and the such like?)

Isn't there a fast track AAT-ACA scheme where you only need to evidence 2 years work experience rather than 3. I don't know much about it as I'm not doing ACA, but that might be worth a look perhaps?

I was in the same situation as you, and the degree was one of the reasons I chose ACCA over ACA. I didn't go to uni either, and my teachers and classmates thought I was mad, so I too would like the satisfaction of finally getting a degree! I wouldn't agree with Nps that the degree is little work though - yes, by already completing the exams it much less work than going to do a degree from scratch, but I certainly wouldn't say the dissertation is easy! My biggest tip for doing the dissertation is to find a mentor who is experienced specifically with the OBU degree and knows exactly what you need to do to pass - there is so little guidance out there and for my first attempt I managed to write a good report about completely the wrong thing!! So you need someone who knows exactly what criteria you need to meet.

I would also consider when choosing between ACA and ACCA:
Which syllabus most appeals to you - you should enjoy what you are studying.
Where you will have to go to study and take the exams.
The cost of both options (if they won't be fully funded for you).

The other reasons for me choosing ACCA over ACA were that I don't believe my employer is currently an ACA approved employer (although as an ACA practice, this may not have been to hard to achieve) and I found a college within travelling distance that taught the F level ACCA papers.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Sheepish93 wrote: »

I think they are as we've just taken on a new person who's studying aca as it can be done I independently without a training contract...

Hi

You can study ACA independently outside of contract but you won't be able to complete the qualification unless you have 3 years practical experience gained under contract with an approved employer. Also, I'm not sure if it is still the case but at one point you couldn't take the final stage ACA exams unless you were in the third year of a training contract.

Neil