I have just graduated with a 2:1 Business Administration degree and am keen to go down the financial route. Im unsure as to exactly what I want to do but really want to keep learning whilst I am in the practice of studying and keep adding to the CV!
Im in the typical graduate position of looking for the dreaded first job so am really looking for a distance learning or evening course.
Does anyone have any suggestions as which course to do and with which provider? Its all so confusing, there are so many of them and they seem to offer the same thing. AAT, CIMA, IAB?
What is the difference between ACCA and AAT? Most of the forums I have trawled through recommend AAT as it is widely recognised and more jobs advertise looking specifically for AAT (apparently).
AAT, from my experience, is generally considered to be the accounts degree equivalent. If you go to work in an accounts practice, as you have got your degree, you should be able to move direct to the ACCA application and will gain a number of exemptions from their syllabus (dont ask what they are as it tends to vary depending on your degree and who receives the application!)
If you do go for it, I dont envy your current position as the training for ACCA, or I guess any CCAB qualification, will require you gaining practical experience, normally at a firm of accountants or in a business. I am however unsure if you could train independently (i.e. as a self employed person) without somebody with a CCAB qualification to help you out.
I am of the opinion that you can get someone with CCAB qualification that you know to certify your experience.
As far as I know, if you work for a small company without a supervisor with CCAB qualification, you can always ask your company's external auditors to certify your experience, that would be acceptable to ACCA.
