we often get questions on the site about which route to go but just thought that it would be interesting for people to learn from our mistakes by reverse engineering that question.
If you could start your qualification again would you do the same qualification and if so would you have done anything differently?
I'll start to get the ball rolling.
I would still have done the ACCA qualification but I would sit the latest version of all of the papers that I had already passed after each sitting as I think that I've forgotten too much of the things that I don't use day to day as I've progressed.
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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 thought about AAT, but in hindsight I think that ICB was right for me at the time.
My mum tried to get me to go to uni to do accounting when I left school, but the call of work (what I thought was a great job at the time) got the better of me. I wish I had done that. I'm getting there now at nights but it will take so much longer.
Years ago, when I did the Careers Advice Centre thing upon leaving school where you answer lots of questions and some computer program decides what your top three occupations are, my first and third came out as IT things - which is what I did, having a Computer Science degree - but the second choice came out as Tax Inspector.
Given my current interest in bookkeeping and accountancy, I wish I hadn't just dismissed that out of hand. While not necessarily the choice of career I am thinking of now either, if it had said "Accountant" or "Bookkeeper", things might have been so very different...
Where I am now I wish that I had kept my AAT membership valid.
Many many years ago I went to college after work, two nights per week, studied BTEC business diploma in Business Studies which was an exception course for AAT at the time. I then only had to pass a couple of AAT exams and have 3 years relevant work experience to gain membership.
My career progressed very well without the need for qualifications and I somewhat arrogantly thought that I wouldn't need to continue it, but would have been really usueful now
I always wanted to join the police too Amanda, but having been a special for 8 years now, I'm glad I didn't. I don't think I'd have the same fun as I do now.
I also wish is kept up my AAT membership. I passed in 1983 when it was the Institute of Accounts Staff. !! I couldn't afford the subs so having gone to college on day release for what felt like years I passed the exam and then that was that !
Uni or going for any professional qualification wasn't an option at the time I left school unless you were an A+ student and your family could afford to send you. In the main working in various accounts departments from grass roots enabled me to enjoy great QBE positions.
However in this economic climate that has all changed. Hence my choice to setting up in practice as a bookkeeper with ICB as it appears to be the quickest route and my best option.
I do regret not having followed through with ACCA about 15 years ago, things would be very different now. So having todays available options back then I would have gone to Uni & ACCA.
My lesson is a business lesson rather than a training lesson.
Qualified as a CA in 1999.
Then got involved in a couple of businesses with a friend/neighbour who ended up not being totally truthful about matters. End result was i was left with personal debt that couldnt service given the businesses ceased trading.
Took professional insolvency advice and was advised that could sign a Trust Deed (Scottish equivalent to an IVA) without it affecting my CA status. This advice turned out to be wrong and currently excluded from CA membership.
Can reapply at the end of next year so fingers crossed will be able to put it all behind me then.
I probably should have left this firm in the late 90s but it felt disloyal in the circumstances and I wish I'd accepted fta fellowship about four years ago.
If I'd discovered this forum sooner I'd have definitely done a lot of things differently.
Still wondering if AAT was the right choice, my other option being to have started studying ACCA instead. Still kicking myself for not knowing i could have started ACCA with no prior qualifications. How far along would i be with ACCA now? i'll never know (maybe further along than the exemptions granted after completion of lvl 4 AAT)
I joined the army when i was 16, straight from school. I was back home within a fortnight. Apart from being stuck in Folkstone with a load of cockney ex-cadets i soon found out that the junior army wasn't my thing. Sometimes wonder what would have happened if i had stuck it out. It doesn't do what it says on the tin.
I am new to the forum and I am after a bit of advice. I enjoy working in finance and I would like to get a formal qualification. I have some previous accountancy knowledge/certificates - which I know would give me exceptions for example in ACCA (had it confirmed by them)....so I think there is a little point for me doing AAT (exeptions F1-F3). It is really between ACCA and university degree..... What do you think would give me a better chance. I really do not want to do CIMA - I don't think it is really in me to be a management accountant. Is it too late to start I am nearly 35.....LOL
welcome to the forum, lots of good advice for you in a bit but could you post that as a new thread please... Or I could create a new one and delete this one if you prefer.
Issue is that burriedd in here it may get missed and sure lots of people want to say hi and offer a bit of advice to you,
kind regards,
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.
