Accountancy jobs - what's yours?

Icey77

Hi PL,

I would suggest starting with AAT, this will teach you the basic mechanics of accounting and as many people on here will agree, the basics are critical!

Once you've got the AAT under your belt and hopefully a job to go with your knowledge you can think about ACCA or CIMA - these are "chartered accountancy" qualifications and the next step on from AAT.

Your local college for further education is likely to run these courses or alternatively you can study from home. I always chose a college course as the people in the class can become good friends and will help you and you'll help them through the bits you find hard.

Good luck! :beer:

Not_a_Newbie

heretolearn wrote: »

One thing I would say to avoid (although no offense to the person above who did it) is doing a degree in accounts unless this is also tied to professional qualifications/membership. (I don't know if any do that).

An accounts degree is not seen in the same way as ACCA etc by employers, and having tried a couple of people with these degrees, we know why. They seemed to have learned more 'about' accounting, rather than how to 'do' accounting. We would never employ anyone again with just an accounts degree.

I have to disagree with this comment. I did a combined studies degree (accounting and law), after I graduated I managed (without a problems I might add) getting an accounting assistants role. We definitly learned how to 'do' accounting on my degree.

I do agree with what you have said about degrees not being on the same level as ACCA, but neither is AAT. Both AAT and relevant degrees give some exemptions with ACCA. The main difference (as far as I know) is that most AAT students tend to be in employment whereas degree students are more than likely fulltime.

I have just passed my finally ACCA exams, and with the exception of one short term position at a university, I have always worked in industry (from enginieering to food).

ACCA has, over the past couple of years, started to cover more managerial/strategy topics in its syllabus. This has meant that it is more on a par in this area with CIMA.

Just a quick note for everyone who is currently studying, I used opentuition.com which is a free portal for ACCA students. You can watch podcasts of lectures on a variety of topics. This definately helped me pass my finals.

rikbar

Well I am a manager in one of the big 4 and did the ACA.

I am not going to get into the usual bashing about which accountancy qualification is better, and agree with the above somewhat about the relative strengths and weaknesses of the different courses.

Most grads that enter the big 4 on training contracts will be expected to pass the ACA, mainly because it is more focused on the financial reporting requirements of large PLC companies and international groups. These are our key clients and therefore this explains the bias.

ACCA is more used in areas of the business that deal with smaller clients who also require more accounting advice, and therefore is a mix of financial reporting and management accounting.

CIMA is not provided or used in either of the big 4 that I have been with, unless by the consultant departments, as it is more industry based and management accounts focused. This accounting is more suited to internal reporting rather than external.

I have enjoyed my years in the accountancy profession and would recommend it to anyone looking for a change, although joining the big 4 is not for the feint hearted. You get rewarded very well, but they do expect quite a bit in return, I enjoy it still

HTH

Rikbar

sharonr

Hi All

I'm 35 and was thinking about starting on the path of AAT. I had decided to go to college in September, but instead I have decided to have a second child.

I'm not sure I'd be very disciplined in home study, but considering my baby is due in November, I can't really start college. Not wanting to put the course off for another year, I am seriously considering a distance learning course.

Can anyone recommend a good value distance learning provider and if possible, how much it would cost.

Thanks!:j

mintel_2

Hi all, sorry I wanted a bit of advice aswell.

I am currently working as a Management Accountant for a firm and they are paying for me to my professional exams either ACCA or CIMA. I graduated last year and have exemptions for both, however I do have more exemptions in ACCA. I told my manager I would probably do CIMA, however I'm not really sure what one to do.

I was think CIMA as it may be more relevant, then I heard that it limits options such as going into audit. Also I would do less exams with ACCA.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

anniecave

Sharonr - I'm currently doing distance learning AAT via kaplan.
There's a price list at

http://financial.kaplan.co.uk/TrainingandQuals/DistanceLearning/Pages/Enrol.aspx

and look at AAT Diploma enrolment form page 2.

Total cost of all the units is about £1700 (this includes exam fees) and you'd need to pay for AAT registration and membership too (one off of about £30 plus approx £70 per year).

Some units you can just buy the books and pay for exams and it works out cheaper but you don't get access to past papers and tutor support that way.

It seems like a lot of money but you'd pay for it in stages, and it would be worth it if you want to work in the area.

Good luck!

jessicamb

sharonr wrote: »

Hi All

I'm 35 and was thinking about starting on the path of AAT. I had decided to go to college in September, but instead I have decided to have a second child.

I'm not sure I'd be very disciplined in home study, but considering my baby is due in November, I can't really start college. Not wanting to put the course off for another year, I am seriously considering a distance learning course.

Can anyone recommend a good value distance learning provider and if possible, how much it would cost.

Thanks!:j

BPP or FTC Kaplan both have good reputations. I didnt do AAT but the further accountancy exams definitely have demand that you have the discipline to cope with a full time job and study for a few years while you get qualified. You might want to look at your career path before you start and make sure that you can get to where you want to go with the time you can invest in the studying. I'm not saying dont do it but make sure it will give you what you want upfront.

jessicamb

mintel wrote: »

Hi all, sorry I wanted a bit of advice aswell.

I am currently working as a Management Accountant for a firm and they are paying for me to my professional exams either ACCA or CIMA. I graduated last year and have exemptions for both, however I do have more exemptions in ACCA. I told my manager I would probably do CIMA, however I'm not really sure what one to do.

I was think CIMA as it may be more relevant, then I heard that it limits options such as going into audit. Also I would do less exams with ACCA.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

What is your expected career path? That is more important longer term than the number of exemptions. If you ever want to go into audit then CIMA is unsuitable as you dont learn enough of that type of theory to be an auditor. If you want to go down a management accounts/commercial route then stick with CIMA. If you really arent sure then ACCA will let you keep your options open at least.

If audit is something you really want to do though you might want to look at changing careers sooner rather than later as you dont see very many people going from industry into audit practice. More the other way as auditors leave the accountancy firms into industry roles.

Really there is very little difference between the two and very few employers would discriminate between the two qualifications.

katebl

Sharonr,

I also (like annie I think?!) am studying Diploma AAT distance learning through Kaplan, just passed my first AAT exam and think they are quite good - I also found it hard to make time but it is really important that you do - you have tutorial support but it's only you that can push yourself to do it. Good luck!

Oops just noticed you asked about cost - think it was just over £400 for first level with Sage, as well as £100-ish for AAT registration and membership. I did the Unit 30 exam through CBA (computer based assessment) and it cost £65.

kingnoodle

Hi all,

I have also been thinking about doing an AAT course, because even after completing my degree at University in Economics I can't seem to get anyone to employ little old me (not that old or little really ).
I figured that this was because of my lack of experience in the working world and the fact that I have only learnt about accounting albeit very little, but have no idea how to do it. Thus AAT seems a good option.

Had a little search on the good old net and I was wondering what are people's thoughts on Apprenticeships?
I know they are generally targeted at school leavers and not graduates, however it seems a good option because I can study and gain some valuable experience.
Naturally the wages won't be too high and I may be able to earn more if I find a job myself and study AAT in my own time, however I am worried that I wont be able to find a job while studying.

I appreciate your words of wisdom and any personal experiences' too