I've had some good advice from people on here regarding the AAT qualifiation. I know it is a good qualification which provides great opportunity in both self-employment and working for prospective employers.
However I don't think the AAT allows studing without a training provider. This is such a shame as I would like to study the AAT, but I would prefer to purchase the relevant books and study on my own. I think the AAT are loosing out by not allowing students to do self study. Alot more students would study with them if they were given the option.
I know the new syllabus will be finalised by 1st July, so hopefully I can make some decisions then.
-- Edited by louis on Thursday 27th of May 2010 11:21:07 PM
Fingers crossed! I want to progress further to chartered accountancy but to start with I would like to study AAT or CFAB with ICAEW. I would prefer AAT but I do not want to pay for a training provider either and CFAB you can do self study ( I only need it for chartered accountancy study entry). I just have to wait until July to see. AAT could give us some more info really.
From reeading last nights post about what CIMA's are allowed to do compared to ACCA's it has to be worth investigating.
Job ad's ask for AAT or PQ which is part qualified (passed fundamentals levels at least) ACCA, CIMA or ACA so it's not like going the ICB / IAB route and self employment being your only option.
In the greater scheme of things CIMA is a higher qualification than AAT. It includes financial accountancy even if it is geared more towards management accountancy.
Persoanlly I still believe ACCA to be the better qualification but then I would! However, the restrictions placed on what you can do by ACCA are draconian to say the least.
Whilst AAT is still the best and fastest option open to you, if you want to self study rather than use a training provider take a serious look at CIMA.
Another to consider would be ATT. It's mainly tax as suggested in the title but it's as sought after as AAT by practices and can lead on to being allowed to study CTA (possibly one of the most difficult qualifications to be accepted to study let alone pass) which is right up there with ACA (ICAEW / ICAS) status if you can get it.
Anyway, back to the real world. Take a look at self studying CIMA which would be a good (but difficult) route to accountancy. In books and exams it's not going to be cheap but at least you can do it without a training provider.
Before you sign up for it though go and sit in Foyles or a larger Blackwells or Waterstones and have a read of one of the Kaplan or BPP study texts to see how the higher level of study feels to you.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
And you can use CIMA exemptions to jump to different bodies as well.
One downside about CIMA from reading PQ magazine is that they don't seem to hold their students in as high a regard as the ACCA hold theirs.
There are horror stories about them changing test centre and not telling anyone so people would turn up for exams on completely the wrong side of Birmingham and there wouldn't even be a note on the door to say where the centre had moved to.
When this happened with the ACCA when there was an asbestos scare at the old Aston Villa Leisure centre everyone was informed by email and snail mail and on the day there was an ACCA representative at the closed centre giving directions for anyone who still turned up at the wrong place.
Whilst with the ACCA you really do feel the restrictions you do feel as though you are part of something special which is not the impression that I get from the CIMA studiers that I know.
The difficult part with going to accountancy is getting all of your boxes ticked in your performance evaluation and also getting two years post qualification in properly recognised practice.
At times it really does feel like a closed shop old boys club.
All of my experience is signed off through work in banking (which counts as a branch of accountancy). If it wasn't for that I would be completely stuffed with my practical experience requirements as unless you have the experience nobody wants to hire you and you can't gain the experience unless someone does.
Real catch 22 there.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I also looked at CAT (Certified Accounting Technician), the awarding body is the ACCA. The only thing is, you would not beable to practice as an accountant, but can practice as a bookkeeper or work in an Assistant role to a Management Accountant. You also need to complete a years work experience before you can use the letters after your name.
You can do the CAT without a learning provider. I think I may opt for this route as well as taking the ICB exams. So I will have the option of self employment via the ICB and Employment via CAT.
-- Edited by louis on Friday 28th of May 2010 12:53:41 PM
