CIMA vs. ACCA

Ems!

BCD wrote: »

Well, I've just applied for a couple of jobs- one as a cash room assistant (collecting and totalling takings from different departments in a supermarket), and one as a cashier for an insolvency firm (collecting a recording cheques and other payments).

Are either of those relevant?

Whilst you ou couldn't use them as part of your experience working in accounts for the purposes of your training record, they are good that they are showing an interest in working in finance and would help on your cv in a few months to hopefully get a trainee accountant job ( or there may be promotion opportunities within the firms you apply to).

Re the study route ( uni course v FTC/BPP) - I have done both and would strongly recommend the FTC/BPP route ( incidently I have studied at both of these and preferred BPP but they are much of a muchness really!) However, I do think your learning style plays a part in which would suit you

With the uni course, I did a day release for a year where I was studying for 4 papers over the course of a year ( it was about 1 1/2 hrs a week on each subject). This just didn't suit my learning style very well as I found it hard to motivate myself with the fact it was all so spread out - at the start of the course the exams are miles off. Somebody who is good at revisiting work and relearning it to "drum" it in would probably find this OK though.

At the accountancy colleges though, i normally only studied for 2 or 3 exams at once ( I once did 4 but it was VERY hard!). This involved a few days on each subject over a period of a few weeks. There was then normally about 3 weeks of no college, then a revision course for a few days, followed by the exam the following week. Because it was all so close together and pressured, I worked hard in between the days I was at college, and it all just stuck in my head more, I found it sooo much better. Also, doing 3 at a time (every 6 months) means the exam part is out of the way faster than just doing 4 a year.

Hope that helps a little on your decision!

BCD

Thanks jessicamb & Ems!

Ems!- I've been looking at BPP quite a bit, but I'm worried that I will struggle to learn a whole new skill in just 5 teaching sessions with them. The uni' offers the course over one year, spending 10 weeks on each paper.

Am I reading the timetables wrong?!

jessicamb

BCD wrote: »

Thanks jessicamb & Ems!

Ems!- I've been looking at BPP quite a bit, but I'm worried that I will struggle to learn a whole new skill in just 5 teaching sessions with them. The uni' offers the course over one year, spending 10 weeks on each paper.

Am I reading the timetables wrong?!

May be worth comparing the number of hours each spends on the modules as it may not be substantially different. The BPP ones are full time - roughly 5 days from 9 - 4.30 with an hour for lunch. I'm guessing university does a a similar number of hours but spread over a longer period. I personally preferred the concentrated learning effort of BPP, which tends to be staggered over 3 or so weeks, than dragging it out over a year.

Ems!

jessicamb wrote: »

May be worth comparing the number of hours each spends on the modules as it may not be substantially different. The BPP ones are full time - roughly 5 days from 9 - 4.30 with an hour for lunch. I'm guessing university does a a similar number of hours but spread over a longer period. I personally preferred the concentrated learning effort of BPP, which tends to be staggered over 3 or so weeks, than dragging it out over a year.

Sorry I only just saw your reply bcd, i agree with Jessicamb, at the uni, you'll probably only do about an hour and a half per week on each subject, and it'll only be during term time, it will probably be a few more hours at uni but not many. I found the concentrated effort of doing it over a shorter period worked a lot better for me.

choccyface2006

CIMA every time. In more demand for job adverts and more global.

Sarah

Ems!

choccyface2006 wrote: »

CIMA every time. In more demand for job adverts and more global.

Sarah

I thought that ACCA was the most global of all the accountancy qualifications - thats defo how they try to "sell" themselves anyway!

jessicamb

How are you getting on BCD?

Treading_Water

Sorry if I'm a bit late, but I've only just caught up with this thread!!
Since you have no accounts and no work experience it may be worth looking at City and Guilds or AAT in the first instance, just to get you started until you are sure thats the direction you want to go in. Both are a lot cheaper - if I remember right - and can give you partial exemption when you come to ACCA or CIMA.

BCD

jessicamb wrote: »

How are you getting on BCD?

I'm still unsure what to do.

I'm leaning towards doing the AAT first to get some relevant work experience, and then in a few years possibly do the CIMA if I choose to.

That said, I haven't ruled out the CIMA now and if I did it, it would be through BPP.

But I'm not at all sure! I don't know anyone who has accounts knowledge, so you guys are helping me out!

sadsadjenjen

Hi BCD
I am currently sudying AAT technician stage with BPP. Day release block per subject
For me Block day release is the best. homework is quite intense though, but you can go in daytime and evening to revise and do homework in empty classrooms.
After completion of my AAT. I think I will go on to do ACCA suits me better, as I do not want to work for big corporate companies any more. Mid size, public sector or charities (currently working for) suits me fine.
Not sure how correct this is but I have heard that with AAT qualifacations and the right company you could do ACA
Hope I have helped in a small way:T