Accountancy Training for (mostly) fun and a bit of profit

tubseye

I'm in my late 30s and thinking of training to be an accountant.

I currently run a small business and do most of the bookkeeping and finance stuff, and really enjoy it.

The business will probably die to automation at some point, so I'm thinking doing some training on the side to add another string to my bow. (maybe accountancy will go too!)

So I'm wondering if anyone has advice on what kinds of courses and routes might be suitable? Presuming a start date in about 5 years time.

I'm also interested in business strategy, programming, IT and investment, if that helps narrow it down.

Manxman_in_exile

For fun....?

Scorpio33

There are many different qualifications to take, all of which depend on where you want to go in the future.

AAT is a good qualification for a person new to accountancy. It gives you a basic level of understanding and a stepping stone to the other qualifications.

CIMA is good for management accounting. Think analysing variances and understanding what the impact on the business would be. Its good if that is where you want to go.

ICAEW is the more traditional qualification in the UK. You need this qualification to be called a "chartered accountant". It is good for preparing accounts and auditing and appeals to the more traditional UK centric organisation

ACCA is similar to ICAEW, but this has more of a global appeal. This will mean you are a "chartered certified accountant". Again, it is good for preparing accounts and auditing.

The mostly take 3/4 years to get fully qualified so if you are looking for this as a future career, it may well be worth exploring these further with a local college, who can then give you pointers and costs of the courses and exams.

If you want something for fun, perhaps AAT is a good starter to see how you deal with the learning and exams?

Scorpio33

meant to add:

There is also CIPFA, but this qualification is aimed at public body accounting (local governments etc)

tubseye

Thanks a lot! I'll check out AAT first and see how I go.