AAT Vs ACCA

abushohag

I have been looking to start a career in accounting. I searched for various qualifications. Two of them seem to be quite popular. AAT and ACCA. However, I am very confused as to which one should I pursue.
I have browsed AAT's website on and ACCA website on to find more information. I also contacted one training provider Osborne Training for AAT courses and ACCA Courses to find more about these courses.
However, the information is somewhat inconclusive.
I want to become a practice accountant. Can anyone has suggestion which route would be better career wise and cost effective.

Many thanks in advance.

andygb

Generally speaking, private practice firms accept both qualifications, but they are a bit different at the start, because AAT lets you take the course without qualifications, unlike ACCA which demands 2 A levels at least (I hope this is up to date).
When I was working in practice, the ACCA qualified bods always seemed to get the big promotions or leave to take on high flying jobs in finance and banking. The AAT qualified seemed to get stuck as accounting technicians.

becominganobsessivesaver

I would suggest trying to find a job where they will put you through the training, rather than putting yourself through the course, whichever option you choose. You will be at a huge advantage with work experience and colleagues to guide you through the exams and training.

JCS1

AAT is the lesser of the two, but if you do AAT first it will give you some exemptions on ACCA

Pennywise

You'll never be able to "practice" as an ACCA without being employed elsewhere as you need pre and post qualification experience signed off by a suitably qualified accountant for the ACCA to grant you a practising certificate. You really can't do it on your own. You'd need a training job where you do the studying/exams alongside a job. That's a better solution anyway as most decent employers would support your study/exams in terms of paying for study and exam fees and maybe even paid time off for the exams.

Carl31

When you say practice accountant, do you want to work in a practice? Or have your own? If th latter you will need a practising certificate

AAT gives you essentially the same level of theory as the first (of 14) ACCA papers. The qualifications are not really comparable, it's a bit like comparing a level to a masters, which is essentially the level of knowledge gained from each qualification

If you want to do the full on accountant thing, ACCA is very worthwhile (speaking as a member), but a lot of work initially

Kynthia

AAT means you'll be an accounting technician. Many people do this qualification and then go onto ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, or ACA if they want to be a qualified accountant.

So what is your level of knowledge and experience at the moment? Do you have the knowledge and education to go straight into studying accountancy? Do you have any financial support as paying for years of accountancy studying, membership, books and exams is expensive? AAT can be more affordable and if you have some knowledge you can often study it at a faster rate which makes it attractive to those entering the industry or who don't need to be a qualified accountant.

System

Carl31 wrote: »

When you say practice accountant, do you want to work in a practice? Or have your own? If th latter you will need a practising certificate

AAT gives you essentially the same level of theory as the first (of 14) ACCA papers. The qualifications are not really comparable, it's a bit like comparing a level to a masters, which is essentially the level of knowledge gained from each qualification

If you want to do the full on accountant thing, ACCA is very worthwhile (speaking as a member), but a lot of work initially

That is not strictly true regarding practicing certificate. In theory anyone can have their own practice. Not having the practicing certificate would just limit that person's level of activity, e.g. s/he cannot sign off an audit.

Their are plenty of self employed AATs that do client work in relation to VAT, payroll, corp tax, individual tax, management accounts and stat accounts amongst other things.