I was looking into AAT. I live in Northern Ireland and on the AAT website in their search for a provider section they identified one provider. This provider provides a full-time classroom course. I really wanted to do home learning but the problem here is going to be getting a centre where I can sit the CBA's . I had started ringing round the providers. So far - BBP seem to have no centres in Ireland (North or South) where I can do this Kaplan and Premier Training are to get back to me.
Does anyone have any information or advice that could help me?
They were the provider mentioned on the AAT website - only it said full-time on that site - it says day release (October 2010 (level 3) and Feb 2011 (level 2)) on your link.
I don't seem to be able to find any mention of costs or pass rates or length of study on the site.
I would also prefer to start asap and do home study - as I can then go at my own pace.
I will contact them tomorrow and see if it is possible to go in to their offices and do the CBAs as an external student and maybe do the actual course with Premier Training or such like.
This sort of thing is always a problem in Northern Ireland . If I can do all the CBA's at the same time I might even consider going over to England for this (bit drastic) .
Why don't you see if the provider that does classroom courses will allow allow you to sign up but only touch base every now and again so that you can sit exams there.
CIPFA is The Chartered Institute of Public Finance&Accountancy if you can do your studies with them I am sure it would be to your further benefit in the future... I was looking at their IPFSR certificate just recently what they do together with ICAEW and I was surprised they do AAT,too.
Hi Margo, Just wondering why you don't look at the Accounting Technicians Ireland course - exemptions etc are generally same as AAT for the professional qualifications if you wanted to follow on. It is run in most colleges in North part time. Just a thought.
I am based in Northern Ireland and have exactly the same problem.
CIPFA would not let me sit the AAT exams in their centre without registering as a student which was pricey, i complained to AAT directly but got nowhere, i tried all the home learning providers and none provide exams in Northern Itreland, home learning is the only option form me so has to rule that out.
I tried IATI but only one company based in Dublin do a home learning course, i registered with them but was not impressed with the quality of the study materials so decided against it.
Eventually, i has registered with ACCA to do the CAT qualification, Kaplan are providing the study materials and exams can be sat in Dublin. CBE's can be sat in the Dublin Business School and ACCA organise the written exams.
It took me ages to sort this out.
Nigel.
-- Edited by Nimac on Thursday 12th of August 2010 02:12:01 PM
Thanks for all the replies. The advice has been really helpful and given me a lot to think about.
Nigel - I was in the process of ringing round the main providers thanks for saving me time with this . Could you let me know the actual price you were quoted for registering with CIPFA as a student?
So basically - it looks like if you live in Northern Ireland there is only one provider for AAT and they are classroom based and day release!
I think I will contact the AAT and highlight the situation to them like Nigel did.
I cant remember the exact price but it was near £2000 i'm sure.
I spoke to several people at the AAT about CIPFA, they stated that they had received other complaints about them but it seems to be falling on deaf ears. I even considered travelling to GB to sit the exams but couldnt justify the cost etc....
Look at CAT, its a good technician qualification and you only have to travel to Dublin to sit exams - with the new motorway, its a fairly quick journey.
. I had started ringing round the providers. So far - BBP seem to have no centres in Ireland (North or South) where I can do this Kaplan and Premier Training are to get back to me.
