Benefit of AAT

mergen
mergen Registered Posts: 112 New contributor 🐸
Hi everyone,

Thought I would ask here. Recently started Level 4, having finished 2 & 3 and work as Assistant Accountant. So far I haven't had to apply anything that I've learned and studied in L2,3 and 4.
Has anyone else had the same experience, everything that I have learned it's either done completely differently in practice or not done at all.

I guess L2 does give grounding of where/how Dr and Cr work/applied, but L3 and so far L4 no relevance at all.

Just as an example at work I deal with, Fixed Assets, Costings, Prepayments, Accruals and etc

Thanks

Comments

  • Bertie
    Bertie Registered Posts: 376



    Just as an example at work I deal with, Fixed Assets, Costings, Prepayments, Accruals and etc



    Thanks

    You haven't applied any of your knowledge gained from studying AAT?

    I find that hard to believe.

    To answer your question - I've always used my AAT knowledge, granted some areas require a more detailed knowledge of what AAT touches on the surface.

    How long have you been there? Maybe time for a change of employment?
  • mergen
    mergen Registered Posts: 112 New contributor 🐸
    > @Bertie said:
    > Just as an example at work I deal with, Fixed Assets, Costings, Prepayments, Accruals and etc
    >
    >
    >
    > Thanks You haven't applied any of your knowledge gained from studying AAT?
    >
    > I find that hard to believe.
    >
    > To answer your question - I've always used my AAT knowledge, granted some areas require a more detailed knowledge of what AAT touches on the surface.
    >
    > How long have you been there? Maybe time for a change of employment?

    Thanks for your reply. The only knowledge that I have applied is Dr, Cr and depreciation of assets, everything else I feel like it has been a waste of time studying.
    Not sure why a change of employment would help. In my previous role as a finance/accounts assistant while helping out management accounts team, again I did not have to apply any of my knowledge. Colleagues have mentioned the same thing as well and in the current place.

    Examples: MABU - majority of companies never use flexed budgets, as they see it unnecessary. MDCL - cost variances, in practice they are worked out completely differently and much easier. Prepayments and Accruals - I never had to apply the 'PAPA' rule.
  • Zoynal98
    Zoynal98 Registered Posts: 65
    Have you done Level 4 Financial Statements? I think a lot you learn from this module can be implemented.
  • Bertie
    Bertie Registered Posts: 376
    I'm not sure why my post did not show your quote properly, maybe I deleted one too many BR tags -

    Anyway.

    If you're performing accruals and prepayments how are you doing them if it is not how you were taught from level 3?

    As an assistant, a real one not one who is classed as one but has to perform processes of a seasoned pro - you will only be doing the basics.

  • mergen
    mergen Registered Posts: 112 New contributor 🐸
    Zoynal98 said:

    Have you done Level 4 Financial Statements? I think a lot you learn from this module can be implemented.

    Not yet, just waiting for the new timetable to come out.
  • mergen
    mergen Registered Posts: 112 New contributor 🐸
    Bertie said:

    I'm not sure why my post did not show your quote properly, maybe I deleted one too many BR tags -

    Anyway.

    If you're performing accruals and prepayments how are you doing them if it is not how you were taught from level 3?

    As an assistant, a real one not one who is classed as one but has to perform processes of a seasoned pro - you will only be doing the basics.

    I thought that as well, oh well.

    Think I am answering my own question, as I am typing lol. Think it all depends in which industry we work at.

    Accruals and prepayments - Dr Prep and Cr Rent, then release it over 3 months by doing the opposite. Dr Phone and Cr Accrual. Those are just examples (not from work).

    I think you are right in that, it depends what level/position I hold. The further I progress the more in depth knowledge and understanding I will get.

    One thing I will point is that AAT should implement more of excel into their syllabuses and more real life scenarios.
  • Bertie
    Bertie Registered Posts: 376
    There are Excel resources found within the myAAT portal.

    The trouble with Excel, in a positive way, is that it is a huge piece of kit. To try to cover every element would be an entire level, never mind a unit.

    Search around for Excel for business, or Excel for finance and such.

    What packages are you using at work? What is it you are using Excel for?
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