Undecided whether to start ACCA or CIMA

stuartt
stuartt Registered Posts: 5
edited June 18 in AAT member discussion
i have just finished AAT level 4 and currently trying to decide whether to do ACCA or CIMA next. My employer is paying for all of the costs so don't need to worry about that and they have no preference with which one i take. What I'm mainly looking at is what is best / easiest for setting up your own practice which is what i want to eventually do

Comments

  • Nps
    Nps Registered Posts: 773
    If you want to set up a practice, then definitely ACCA. CIMA is more for management accounts (industry) whereas ACCA also covers tax etc which will have far more relevance to you.
  • Sharon123
    Sharon123 Registered Posts: 77
    Absolutely agree with Nps. Definitely would go for ACCA if you intend to go into practice
  • RyanMIP
    RyanMIP Registered Posts: 50
    I wouldn't bother with either AAT is more than enough in practice
  • Nps
    Nps Registered Posts: 773
    I disagree with Ryan I'm afraid. If your employer is supporting your studies, why would you not want to become as qualified as possible. I am AAT and very nearly ACCA qualified and if I was to set up my own practice, I would be grateful for the extra qualification. I personally don't think I had the required knowledge to set up on my own after just AAT as I didn't have years of experience to back it up with.
  • Sharon123
    Sharon123 Registered Posts: 77
    I agree with Nps again. AAT is a good qualification but ACCA will give you even more. If you have study support and are willing then it is an opportunity too good to miss.
  • angelaw
    angelaw Registered Posts: 1
    Hi Stuart
    It is always best to have highest qualification in this chosen field as AAT does not cover everything. I have worked in a lower management role and if you like the day to day operations of dealing with finance and speaking to outside parties be it clients and suppliers then ACCA is the way to go. If you like to analyse, assess and have some control of where the company is heading then CIMA is for you. There are Financial Controllers who are CIMA qualified who learn to do ACCA duties they learn on the job.
  • stuartt
    stuartt Registered Posts: 5
    Thank you for all of your replies, i think it would be too career limiting to not study either especially if i change my mind about what i want to do or starting a practice doesn't work out. For me the worry that i have about doing ACCA is i need to get experience with an ACCA approved employer to get a practice licence but with CIMA there doesn't appear to be similar requirements

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