I've been browsing the forum for a few days, but seem to be getting more and more confused with the options. If anyone could help, that would be appreciated a great deal.
I'm looking to train towards being an accountant. For this I assumed the AAT Bookkeeping L2 would be the best way to enter the field and get a job as an admin/assistant, and it's also reasonably cheap. After a bit more research I'm thinking that I should just go for the l2 accounting AAT as it would give me a much better grounding and give me a better chance of getting a job (at which point I should be able to get help for training). Obviously the jump in price from around £300 ish to £1000 needs to be taken into account? I'm finding that these are the best to start with, but a lot of jobs are asking (obviously once I had experience etc) for CIMA, ACCA etc. Is it a case of getting in with a company and then getting put through this training.
Is the the route most people take, or do they start studying with the likes of CIMA in the hope that someone advertises for a "part qualified" CIMA member?
Also, it looks like Premier is going to be a good option for the training,
As you can all see I'm going round in circles a bit at the moment.
An easy answer to your question is that the AAT have stopped their bookkeeping course, so that isnt an option.
It is normally the case that graduates get taken on with employers who are willing to pay for CIMA or ACCA straight away, as this is a big investment from the employer in terms of cost. I think most people who self fund ACCA or CIMA have done some form of qualification before hand. Not only to get exemptions, but to make sure that this is the route you go down before you spend a lot of money and invest several years of your life, on ACCA or CIMA.
I would suggest starting with the AAT at level 2, or maybe the IAB/ICB bookkeeping qualification and then starting at AAT level 3. This will give you a good grounding that will benefit you for years to come and it will break you in gently. If you find that after the AAT you dont want to go any further you have atleast a qualification, which in my opinion is better than part qualified, althought i am sure others will disagree.
These are my honest thoughts, dont feel i am pushing the AAT, we also do ICB, ACCA and CIMA so if you did come to us, it doesnt matter what course you do.
As for training providers, obviously i work for Premier, but i really would suggest searching the forum and seeing which ones get the best feedback and then ring 2 or 3. Make a decision after speaking to them all. This may be a big investment in terms of time and money so you need to be sure you have the right training provider for you.
Nick
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Nick
Nick Craggs FMAAT ACA AAT Distance Learning Manager
Yeah I understand they want graduates etc. so discounted getting on the job training until I have some kind of accounting qualification under my belt.
I guess what I'm really asking as well is whether AAT L2 is really enough to even get low paid book keeper/accounts assistant jobs, or would I be looking at L2 & L3.
Thanks for the reply, will have another good look through and a think.
BTW, the AAT BK course is on your website still, just incase you didn't realise.
If you start the AAT level 2/3 on your own it shows you are self motivated and will impress employers. There are many people who have got a job who only have AAT level 2. At this sort of level employers are looking for the person rather than a whole wave of qualifications, so there is no reason why not, if you present yourself well, and are keen.
Yes we left it on there as it says although it is no longer available we have an ICB course available for people who want to do a bookkeeping course and have heard about the AAT level award. As there are a lot of people who have heard of this, but not the ICB, such as yourself!
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Nick
Nick Craggs FMAAT ACA AAT Distance Learning Manager
For what it's worth, one of the routes Nick suggested above (ICB/IAB -> AAT -> ACCA/CIMA) is pretty much what I plan to do, although with some adjustments due to my personal requirements.
I took the Open University (OU) course B190 "Introduction to Bookkeeping and Accounting", and once I get my pass in that I can apply to become a member of the IAB. This should help my CV in trying to get an Accounts Assistant-type job, but the basic manual bookkeeping knowledge is a must anyway!
Then I am going to do the OU's S25 "Professional Certificate in Accounting", which gives not only an actual qualification, but also exemptions to various places, including AAT up to parts of level 4: http://www.open.ac.uk/business-school//files/business-school/Accreditations_update.pdf . I'm going the OU route, rather than directly with a training provider, because I am also looking at business studies courses and all the above can also count towards a BA Business Studies degree should that be something I decide to do - still seeing if I'm *that* interested in it with some upcoming business studies introductory courses. Of course I could have taken the AAT courses and exams directly.
Then once I am with the AAT, hopefully I can get the experience required to ultimately move to ACCA. I believe that membership of a professional body should help one's job, not hinder it, so due to ACCA's regulation 8 (which limits what services you can offer under certain circumstances) I will stay clear of them until I can bypass the regulation.
Of course, this is suited to my needs, but I hope it gives you some helpful input into your own plans. Good luck!
I've had a look and certainly seems like this is the best option to get started. Lot's of research still to do as it's a lot of cash to put to one side when you take into account L2-4.
-- Edited by langston7 on Tuesday 14th of August 2012 01:43:23 PM
