Ideally a recruitment training scheme??

mjc2012

Many thanks, I shall more than likely take you up on that offer!

In the meantime, as far as you can see from what I have said, would you suggest ACA as opposed to ACCA/CIMA (I think so!) & therefore applying to CA practices not industry .... management accounting does not interest me at all unfortunately!!

Do you know it feels like a little bit of a weight has been lifted or a cloud slightly cleared, I can start to work out how to get where I want to go now!
Thanks again!

persa

mjc2012 wrote: »

In the meantime, as far as you can see from what I have said, would you suggest ACA as opposed to ACCA/CIMA (I think so!) & therefore applying to CA practices not industry .... management accounting does not interest me at all unfortunately!!

Do you know it feels like a little bit of a weight has been lifted or a cloud slightly cleared, I can start to work out how to get where I want to go now!
Thanks again!

If you study for your ACA or CA, you will be able to work in practice or in industry (so flexible, if your career goals change), but you will need an authorised training firm and you will pretty much be tied to that firm for about three years. It's difficult to move whilst part chartered for a number of reasons, so important to work for a firm you like. If you lose your training contract for any reason (even trainees can be made redundant!) you generally need to get another contract asap or it causes problems.

You do need relevant experience to finish off your ACCA, but you don't need an authorised training firm and you can continue to study whilst out of work/not doing relevant work, so it is easier to move, although some of the same barriers remain (paying back fees for one).

There is a bit of snobbery within accountancy circles with some people saying that the ACCA is not in the same league as the ACA or CA qualifications, but I think that is on the decline and many job adverts request ACA/CA/ACCA, so this isn't as important a consideration as it would have been in past years. I think the people who emphasise the difference between Chartered and Chartered Certified tend to be really old school. If I were you, I would be aware of this, but equally not get hung up about it.

CIMA is very much for people who want to be management accountants and work in industry. I can't say I know of any people who are CIMA qualified and do tax - it's more normal to be ACA/CA/ACCA/ATT/CTA qualified. (Apologies for throwing even more qualifications into the mix!)

I wouldn't recommend CTA at this stage in your career - it's maybe something to do later on down the track when you have lots of tax experience. You don't need an authorised training firm for ATT or CTA, but CTA is not something to undertake without lots of practical experience within tax.

Hope that helps!:)

CruisingSaver

mjc2012 wrote: »

Many thanks, I shall more than likely take you up on that offer!

In the meantime, as far as you can see from what I have said, would you suggest ACA as opposed to ACCA/CIMA (I think so!) & therefore applying to CA practices not industry .... management accounting does not interest me at all unfortunately!!

Do you know it feels like a little bit of a weight has been lifted or a cloud slightly cleared, I can start to work out how to get where I want to go now!
Thanks again!

Everything that Persa said! Plus my qualification is ACCA which I gained in practice and I can honestly say that it's never been viewed as an inferior qualification in any of the areas I've worked in.

The advice I give my staff who are looking to study is to go for the qualification that gives you the most exemptions as they are all so close in quality these days (although CIMA has more emphasis on Management Accounting).

mjc2012

Yeh it does - alot more qualifications yes but ones I have heard of so that's ok! ATT - is that the tax equivakent of AAT or have I got that totally wrong? I think I will look up tax specialist chartered accountants within ... any area actually!! Send my CV off and a cover letter and see what they say I suppose - if there is any chance of them giving me feedback that would be great, else I guess they just won't respond. Worse case scenario I could get a junior/accounts assistant role without discussions to further studies at the moment.
It's a shame I can't mix this with marketing though as I do love it dearly!! Just time for a change as that side of me is purely self taught.

persa

mjc2012 wrote: »

Yeh it does - alot more qualifications yes but ones I have heard of so that's ok! ATT - is that the tax equivakent of AAT or have I got that totally wrong? I think I will look up tax specialist chartered accountants within ... any area actually!! Send my CV off and a cover letter and see what they say I suppose - if there is any chance of them giving me feedback that would be great, else I guess they just won't respond. Worse case scenario I could get a junior/accounts assistant role without discussions to further studies at the moment.
It's a shame I can't mix this with marketing though as I do love it dearly!! Just time for a change as that side of me is purely self taught.

Bang on, ATT is the same level as AAT, but pure tax.

Most accountancy firms (even smaller ones) will have a tax department. Google them and see.

TBH, as you climb the ladder, an element of sales does creep in, so your marketing skills will be useful. You will need to eventually mange your own tax clients, maintain relationships, pitch to new ones... Some accountants find it awkward and don't like the selling aspect, but with your background, I'm sure you'd find it really natural.

mjc2012

Ah nice one! That sounds good. I do like that - getting to use imagination!
Would you say ATT is an advantageous line to consider then for me or would it be a little 'useless' (or kind of pointless ish) if I already ahve AAT??

persa

mjc2012 wrote: »

Ah nice one! That sounds good. I do like that - getting to use imagination!
Would you say ATT is an advantageous line to consider then for me or would it be a little 'useless' (or kind of pointless ish) if I already ahve AAT??

Personally, if I were you, I would aim to study for an accountancy qualification next (and get an employer to pay for it). Just my opinion, though.

mjc2012

You mean ACA / ACCA etc as opposed to ATT?? I was lucky enought to have my current place of work put me through AAT also.

CruisingSaver

mjc2012 wrote: »

You mean ACA / ACCA etc as opposed to ATT?? I was lucky enought to have my current place of work put me through AAT also.

I'd say to do ACA or ACCA unless you're lucky enough to land a job as a tax junior!

mjc2012

Ooh that sounds like food for thought! A tax junior ... I have no idea how I would start to look for one of those roles either but I am determined and I have spent sooo many hours on this internet in the last fews weeks I must find something somewhere! Sound slike a tax specialist firm may be a good starting point.