AAT Accountancy qualifications

[R5GTTgaz]

After getting totally pissed off with my job I've decided to pursue other interests, one of them being accountancy (sad I know) anyway the local uni is doing AAT courses progressing up to technician level which I'm pretty interested in but wondered if its worth having in the world of accounts? Is there something other that I should be looking at?

Cheers

[Eric Mc]

AAT is looked on as a lower grade qualification (not quite to professional level). However, if you have no other theoretical experience of accounting and all the surrounding subjects, then it is a very worthwhile way of getting to grips with the whole area and you will learn very useful information. Once you have this qualification, you can use it as a stepping stone to acquiring a full professional qualification later - if you want to progress further.

[R5GTTgaz]

Eric Mc said:

AAT is looked on as a lower grade qualification (not quite to professional level). However, if you have no other theoretical experience of accounting and all the surrounding subjects, then it is a very worthwhile way of getting to grips with the whole area and you will learn very useful information. Once you have this qualification, you can use it as a stepping stone to acquiring a full professional qualification later - if you want to progress further.

Thats great, I don't have a lot of experience but its something thats alway been an interest, I think I'll give that a shot.

I'd like to progress to professional level, but I do understand that will take some time and effort! Eric, what professional body would you recommend after gaining the AAT qualifications?

Thanks

[Eric Mc]

There are three main professional bodies operating in the UK ( four if you include the body that covers those who work in the public service - the CIPFA)

These bodies are:

Institute of Chartered Accountants (ACA)
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

The ACA is bit more complex as there are separate institutes and exams for Scottish, Irish and English Chartered Accountancy qualifications.

ACA is the most restricted regarding starting off as the only route to qualification is through obtaining a degree and then, on graduation, applying to joing a firm of Chartered Accountants on a training contract.

Certifieds (ACCA) can qualify under a similar regime but they are more flexible in that those who work in accountancy outside of professional firms can also apply to become students.

CIMA is aimed mainly at those who work in industry and commerce and they do not require training contracts of the Chartered or Certifieds might.

The best thing would be to get onto the websites of these bodies and find out how they go about accepting student members and what the entry requirements are.

Edited by Eric Mc on Tuesday 9th September 17:08

[AAT1981]

Eric Mc said:

AAT is looked on as a lower grade qualification (not quite to professional level). However, if you have no other theoretical experience of accounting and all the surrounding subjects, then it is a very worthwhile way of getting to grips with the whole area and you will learn very useful information. Once you have this qualification, you can use it as a stepping stone to acquiring a full professional qualification later - if you want to progress further.

I did AAT a number of years ago and it has lead me into other jobs such as fraud investigations and risk management.

Worth doing.