Hi Paula,

we've been hitting similar scenario's on the site quite a lot recently.

There are more than the above choices but it all really comes down to what you are looking for from the qualification.

Whilst IAB and ICB qualifications cover much of the same ground as the AAT qualification those qualifications are really only useful for becoming self employed.

For that discussion you will find this thread particularly useful :

http://www.book-keepers.org.uk/t50138909/do-accountancy-practices-recognise-the-icb-or-iab/

So, looking to become employed you need to be looking at AAT or PQ (working towards the ACCA or CIMA qualification).

Your initial time frame is two years which makes only AAT the most viable option.

Next thing is finding a training provider. Obviously this needs to be distance learning and you need to be able to commit at least 15 hours per week to study.

The study does get pretty intense and you would probably not at the moment believe that amount of information that you need to absorb in order to qualify.

I know in the early days of ACCA I would read my son accounting manuals as bedtime stories (with the excitment of a fairy story) and be getting up two hours before him to get a little study time.

Training companies to consider are :

Training Link

Premier Training

Kaplan

Woodgrove Tutorials

Eagle Training

Ideal Schools

Not all of the above currently offer AAT although each provider changes the courses that it offers so keep an eye on each of them to ensure that you get a good deal.

Currently my recomendation for AAT would be Premier Training. Nick from this site will no doubt post imminently on what they can do to help you.

Whichever one you go with also consider that you will need to also read around the subject as you are learning the subject, not a single text from any provider (Osbourne, Kaplan and BPP all produce excellent study materials and it would help if you had all books rather than only those provided as part of your course)

See this discussion :

http://www.book-keepers.org.uk/t50172026/who-is-the-best-training-provider/

Ok, third part of this is will this study lead to employment?

There are no guarantee's and you will stand a good chance of being caught in the trap of employers only wanting experienced employee's and you cannot gain the experience without getting a job.

Temping in entry level jobs can help you get started although entry level temp staff can be treated quite badly but it is a stepping stone into employment.

You will also gain the confidence to do your own tax return although it will not be the course that you go on that teaches you how to do it. Bookkeeping courses teach principles, they don't cover HMRC forms which are of a more transient nature than the courses that will teach you bookkeeping and low level accountancy.

Hope that helps for starters, feel free to post follow up questons,

kind regards,

Shaun.

Hi Sonya,

I just try to ensure that newbies are guided to the training providers who are the best for them and who will not be attempting to fleece them (think you know which one I'm talking about there although my understanding is that even they are improving since they lost the double glazing sales approach... Still can't see myself including them in a recommended list anytime soon though!).

As you know not all of the above offer the courses that the poster was interested in but who is to say that in the future someone may not read this post and a good quality training company that I missed from a list then offers a course but the reader misses that because I didn't include them.

Premier always get a mention because Nick Craggs who is one of the key contributors on this site has become a trainer with them. He's a qualified accountant (ACA) who runs his own accountancy practice so newstarts being taught by a qualified, experienced accountants in practice wins brownie points for Premier.

Although I've not used Premier myself I have spoken with them in the past and found them to be helpful and not at all pushy.

kind regards,

Shaun.

p.s. Amended because of giving the wrong Nick the wrong qualification (and the two wrongs didn't make a right!)... Sorry Nick.

-- Edited by Shamus on Wednesday 8th of August 2012 11:44:55 AM

Hi Shaun.

Interesting. I fully appreciate your comments in the first paragraph! :))))). We too have our swords drawn here! It's disappointing that the profession has been tarnished by sales driven organisations.

Eagle are a very similar, conscientious provider to premier. But there are some differences. I think it's important to encourage people to shop around and do their own research to ensure they choose the provider that will suit their individual learning style and needs. We are all so unique aren't we? One box ticked or unticked can really make a difference to a student's interest in a course, motivation and achievement.

By the way - We have very conscientious experienced chartered accountants working for us and awarding body exam markers too :)))

Seriously, we want customers to make the right decision for them because then they're more likely to achieve their goals.

Thanks again for mentioning us we really appreciate it. :D
Sonya

And you found it already. Many appologies, I got the wrong Nick! Free coffee / beer on me if ever we meet up. Sorry matey. Just off up to fix that now.