AAT course

horny_kez

Hi, I have been looking at a change of career and would like to do a AAT level 2 course for accountancy.
I have looked at all different ones online but was wondering if anyone had any recommendations?
Kaplan seems reasonable, I'm not necessarily looking to find a cheaper one but just want to make sure I'm not going to get ripped off!

Any advise would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

liam8282

Kaplan are good.

Depending on how old you are, you might be able to get an AAT modern apprenticeship. (If they still do them, and if there is a firm that you could work for as an apprentice?)

horny_kez

I can't really afford to work as a apprentice unfortunately which is why I'd like to do the AAT course as distance learning or online learning then hopefully look for employment after.
Thanks for re-assuring me though.

Jess23x

I currently do mine at the local college 2 evenings a week and they are excellent. Plus I can still work full time to keep paying the bills. I have heard kaplan are good though. Good luck

horny_kez

Sometimes I work away so I can't really do it at college, looks like Kaplan will be the best option then, thanks :j

saintjammyswine

Speak to your local college, these courses are very flexible in the delivery. there may be options for you, if not the AAT tutor will give the best advice as they would have done it & would be a member of AAT.

liam8282

I have done the AAT and am now a fellow member, personally I think the best way to do this course if you do it whilst working in an accountancy practice.

Most of the AAT course is possible to learn out of text books, but you need the experience of putting what you are learning into practice, to really understand what you are doing.

It is about 10 years since I did the AAT, but IIRC if you are under 25 the course is free, it is just a matter of finding a practice that will let you have the time off to attend college.

You will still get paid for being employed, but obviously if you are getting the benefit of having time off to go to college etc. this will be reflected in your salary.

I also think that you can do the AAT on nights and weekends, but I suppose this depends on where you do the course.

If you are looking for a job in the accountancy industry, you should check out http://www.hays.co.uk/job/accountancy-finance-jobs/index.htm , I have used them and they are very good.

saintjammyswine

To add to previous message that AAT is one of the few areas where apprentices seem to earn higher than minimum apprentice wage. worth looking into, first port of call should be local GFE College though.

baleb

Hi,
Just thought i would add my input, i am studying aat level 3 through distance learning with BPP, and i find them to be very good. their online learning courses in particular are excellent.

sweettirana

I completed the AAT qualification 2 years ago and was entirely funded by Kaplan themselves. I told a work colleague about the scheme and she is also doing it for free and she is 28, so the rules about being under 25 may have changed.

However, (I might be wrong here) I'm sure I and my colleague only got funded for Level 2 and 3 and we had to pay for Level 4, but that is still a lot of money saved!

I don't work in practice - I'm a management accountant for a charity on a decent wage and was still funded.

I contacted Kaplan directly prepared to pay and they told me about the scheme. They come to your workplace about once every 8-10 weeks to get your manager to sign some forms and tick some boxes and write a brief comment stating that you are progessing well and they are happy for you to continue doing so - used to take about 10 minutes or so.

I attended college on a mixture of days and evenings depending on work constraints etc and found that the Kaplan learning system was EXCELLENT. I passed every single paper first time, and on Level 4 took 5 at the same time!

They are also very flexible in that if you miss a lesson you can attend a lesson at one of their other locations free of charge so you don't miss anything out.

If you would like I can PM you the email address of my tutor at the time (who administered the scheme) and if you contact her direct she will be able to tell you more than me!

Just to add I went onto study ACCA with Kaplan and used their virtual online learning course, which was fantastic as well!

(Also, I believe that BPP offer the same type of funding and are on an equal par to Kaplan)

Best of luck with the beginning of your new career - people will always spend money and someone will always need to count it! :rotfl:

omas

From the Kaplan's website:

Funding your course

You may be entitled to full or part-funded training when studying the AAT qualification through either a Classroom or Live Online course. The funding is available through the Apprenticeship scheme. To be eligible you must fulfil these basic requirements:

• A UK resident living in England for the last three years
• 16 years old or over
• Not currently in full time education
• Not currently receiving government funding
• Not in possession of a level 4, or higher, qualification. This includes degrees and HNDs
• Are working in an accounts related role for 30 hours or more per week