Sorry if this is rookie question number one but, I am interested in starting a new career as an accountant.
I have been studying with CIMA but I think I would rather start as a book keeper and go from there. What I am having problems with is understanding how to start at nothing and work my way step by step towards being chartered.
The local council offer book keeping and Sage at NVQ level. Sage has 'official' certificates for Sage 50. Then there is AAT and CAT....arrgghhh
You're right, it's a complete minefield and in order to become chartered at some stage you either have to work directly for a qualified accountant or have be supervised in a freelance capacity by a suitably qualified accountant.
Assuming that you can find an accountant to take you under their wing this generally costs. One approach that many have adopted in the past is building up a client base and then giving them to the accountant in exchange for supervision... So you do the work, the accountant gets the money. However, after a couple of years of this if you're not bankrupt by then you should be able to get a practice certificate from your supervisory body.
CIMA are quite good when it comes to self employed students. Much better than the ACCA who have quite draconian restrictions.
As for your shortest route to becoming and accountant. Take a serious look at AAT as an MAAT MIP can actually call themselves an accountant (much to the annoyance of many ACCA's, ACA's and CIMA bods out there).
Other approaches worth considering would be IAB to level IV then conversion accross to IFA. IFA's are not chartered but they are financial accountants non the less.
If your interest was only in the bookkeeping and preparing books for small business then why not consider just going as far as becoming a full member of the IAB or ICB?
I think at the moment that CAT is not really worth considering. There is nothing wrong with the qualification but if you are going to take that why not just go down the full ACCA route.
AAT seems much more routed in practical experience than the CAT qualification.
So, anyway, welcome to the forum. How far did you get through your CIMA studies?
Shaun.
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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 have also been looking into the Open Uni B190/K01 Pro. Cert. in Accounting. That has an exemption to the CIMA Certificate level and ACCA F1,2,3. All said it will cost £1970.00 and for me will take about the same time as all 5 papers with CIMA.
I also saw on the IAB website that the Lv4 diploma exempts you from the CIMA C02 paper. Does that work the other direction? Could I join the IAB at Lv4 Diploma in accounting to international standards?
I gave up on the AAT[ABC] to AAT to ACA route as that was like 30 papers by the end!!
