Accountancy jobs - what's yours?

Any

minnie123 wrote: »

Hi just wanted to say I don't agree with AAT qualified having a ceiling earning limit of £21k I have worked in an accountancy practice for nearly 10 years and so have met a lot of work mates who have moved on etc etc I know of 3 who stopped at AAT and are yet to start ACCA/CIMA the one earns 22k and he is just starting the technician stage, the another earns 26k (AAT qualified), and the final one earns 28k (AAT qualified).

I haven't posted this to be argumentative lol I just want people to know that you can earn more with AAT.

I have to say I thought £21k ceiling is pretty low. The highest wages for AAT I've ever seen was £25k + car. But that was it - the boss said there is no way he can ever pay any more for AAT qualified... This person consequently left and never found better paid employment.

But we are talking about person with 20 years experience. In comparison to freshly qualified ACCA starting salary £28k....

Any

flossy_splodge wrote: »

I am learning Sage Line 50 on the job and also Sage Payroll.
I have found it to be perfectly straightforward and certainly not onerous.
I work part time (my choice) either 2 or 3 days a week.
My boss, who runs his own business is 'only' AAT qualified so he employs a qualified accountant to do the management accounts.
He has specialised in Tax and I understand is very good at it.
So anyone concerned that AAT limits their earnings? I don't think so!:rotfl:

Yeah, and I've seen millionaires on the TV who can barely sign a document...
That doesn't mean that we should all give up on qualifications does it?!;)

Any

Amara wrote: »

I think I will go for self-employment, because simply I don't know what to do in my situation. I don't want to work in dead-end job for rest of my life and think "But I've got degree!". I can't take any temp jobs, because I need stable income.

Have you actually done any of the exams yet?

I found entering job market after moving to UK difficult with foreign qualification, but found job no problem once I passed my first 3 exams...

I think they can't believe it until they see it kind of thing...

Also I started on basic level.

Personally can't see how self-employed would work. Having good book-keeper/accountant is for many people very important issue and often jobs go through recommendations... As you have no experience I think you might find it very hard.

Amara

Any wrote: »

Have you actually done any of the exams yet?

I found entering job market after moving to UK difficult with foreign qualification, but found job no problem once I passed my first 3 exams...

I think they can't believe it until they see it kind of thing...

Also I started on basic level.

Personally can't see how self-employed would work. Having good book-keeper/accountant is for many people very important issue and often jobs go through recommendations... As you have no experience I think you might find it very hard.

No, I haven't satany exams. I can't see point, if I have no practice. Althought, proprably you got a point about sittingexams here. Self-employment? I knowit will be hard, but what other options do I have?

jessicamb

Amara wrote: »

No, I haven't satany exams. I can't see point, if I have no practice. Althought, proprably you got a point about sittingexams here. Self-employment? I knowit will be hard, but what other options do I have?

I'm pretty sure it will be easier to find a job than it will be to craft out a self employed career in finance without qualifications or experience.

I know its hard but you have to stick with it. You could start doing your exams, if you need to you could brush up on your business language skills.

jessicamb

geek84 wrote: »

Hi Everyone

I am thinking of having a career change and going into accountancy. I have not got much knowledge of accountancy, although I do have an 'O' level in accountancy - so I know what a debit & credit is!

I have started doing the ICB distance learning course in book keeping. I then hope go on to do the AAT and then hopefully progress to 'chartered status'.

Can someone give me a rough idea of how long it, how many years, would take me to get to chartered status from where I am now, including any work experience required.

By the way, I chose to go into accountancy becaue I love dealing with numbers.

Finally, is this the best route to take ICB - AAT- CIMA/ACCA?

Thanks in advance.

AAT I think would take approximately 3 years but someone who actually took it probably has a better idea than me!

CIMA and ACCA both require three years relevant practical experience and it will take that long roughly to get through the exams assuming you pick up a couple of retakes along the way which most people do. AAT will get you exempt from the foundation level so you could probably do the exams in a couple of years with a lot of hard work.

Your route seems fine, AAT is a good option if you dont have a business degree or finance experience and lots of people go on to do CIMA/ACCA afterwards. I've not seen the ICB qualification before. AAT starts with the basics so if you hadn't already started it I'd probably suggest starting straight with AAT but it wont do you any harm. You will probably cover some things twice thats all.

Good luck, its hard work but worth it.

Any

Amara wrote: »

No, I haven't satany exams. I can't see point, if I have no practice. Althought, proprably you got a point about sittingexams here. Self-employment? I knowit will be hard, but what other options do I have?

??????
Employers can't see what your qulification (outside UK) means and you think individuals with responsibility for their own companies will?

You need to show them some qualifications they understand and then they will let you gain some practice in a job. I don't get your comment at all. You don't need practice in order to sit exams, but qualification helps in order to get job.

Amara

Any wrote: »

??????
Employers can't see what your qulification (outside UK) means and you think individuals with responsibility for their own companies will?

You need to show them some qualifications they understand and then they will let you gain some practice in a job. I don't get your comment at all. You don't need practice in order to sit exams, but qualification helps in order to get job.

Yes, like I wrote before: I've got 5 ACCA exams and I'm doing bookkeeping level I, II, III and computerised sage bookkeeping by ICB. I'm about to sit my first exam.

Any

Amara wrote: »

Yes, like I wrote before: I've got 5 ACCA exams and I'm doing bookkeeping level I, II, III and computerised sage bookkeeping by ICB. I'm about to sit my first exam.

What you wrote before was that you have exceptions from 5 exams. Believe you me for employer that is not good enough. Until you prove you can sit it here and manage fine.

And we've already agreed on here that noone knows what ICB really is.

Just my opinion and experience.

Good luck with the exam!!

geek84

Hi

Just to let you know ICB stands for Institute of Certified Book Keepers. I am doing a book keeping qualification through them. I am still getting my head round debits & credits !!

Anyway, I then hope to go on to do the AAT and then ACCA or CIMA. However, it just seems a long road - 3 years to qualify at AAT level and then another 4 years to qualify from ACCA or CIMA. I am already in my mid 40s, so seriously considering whether or not to study the AAT and then CIMA/ACCA. By the time I have finished all those studies, I will be approaching 50 years of age!

What would you do in my situation? Study and then stop at AAT or go on to eventually get chartered status?

Thanks for any advice.