I'm just wondering if becoming MAAT will benefit me. I am considering not renewing my membership after completion of level 4 as i intend to become a student of one of the chartered bodies anyway.
I know about AATs reduced fees for student members of other bodies, but as i am looking to work in industry will the letters MAAT be of any benefit?
Of course, they prove that you have a minimum of 1 years relevant work experience, but isn't this what your CV is for?
I would have something like 'Fully qualified AAT, student member of ACCA' written in my profile.
I have always paid my membership for MIP purposes and now becuase i am a tutor, but if i was just employed, i dont think it really adds anything that isnt covered by having it on my CV.
Likewise i pay my ACA memebership, and although i like the letters after my name, i dont think at the moment i am financially better off for doing so. If i wanted to set up in practice under ACA obvioulsy i would need to pay it. But at the moment i am paying quite a lot for having letters on my email signature!
Nick
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Nick
Nick Craggs FMAAT ACA AAT Distance Learning Manager
That confirms my way of thinking. I was looking at the fee (that won't be paid) money being used for a good study text or relevant book instead.
I'm not a letters kind of guy. I don't think i'd use them apart from on my CV anyway. I never set out studying AAT to become MAAT, more to prove to potential employers that i have a solid interest in the subject, a willingness and ability to learn the subject at hand and dedication to seeing the whole mess through to the end lol.
I can't see the letters proving this anymore than what i already have on my CV, and if what i've gained up to now isn't enough, i'll continue to push forward.
But don't dump the AAT until you've got your ACCA exemptions that I know that you are going to be taking Neil (in your case I agree with them as you've been using ACCA study materials to pass the AAT exams anyway).
Would it not make sense to keep MAAT as a safety blanket for a while?
I would quote Sun Tsu's art of war about not burning bridges but I've actually read the original rather than the executive version that everyone quotes and that one also tells you when one should burn bridges behind your army to make sure that they only have the option of going forwards.
Just a little voice of caution from the wings in that yes, I agree that once you are PQ the AAT qualification won't be that relevant (but as you have already identified, unlike some other qualifications it's still a good one for the CV to show where you came from even if no longer paying towards membership).
As Nick concurrs, eventually I would lose the AAT subscription... But personally I wouldn't do it this year until you are absolutely sure that you have no use for keeping the letters.
Your recent AAT exam successes could help you land the job with a suitably qualified accountant in order to gain your practical experience requirement for membership of the ACCA after you have passed the exams.
For ACCA you will need three years relevant experience under a suitably qualified accountant (not necessarily ACCA or ACA but thosee are preferred) to be accepted as a member and to gain an ACCA practicing certificate two years post qualification experience (which will need to be under an ACCA or ACA) although those two years can also count towards the three years total for membership.
HTH,
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'm sure that they are only looking for membership fee's to pay for the party that they are going to throw for you Neil... But will they have chocolate cheesecake, that's the question.
You just need to have passed the level 4 to get the exemptions and you will have hit PQ status before june and they can never take AAT off your CV even if you are no longer a member.
Will MAAT pay off? Job ads don't specify MAAT, All they ask for AAT or PQ... BUT.... When they say PQ they are actually really only interested in people who have passed at least the first nine (otherwise anyone who had signed up with the ACCA would be PQ regardless as to whether or not they had passed an exam).
That you will have both should make you made of Gold matey!
It really all comes down to whether you feel that having MAAT after your name is worth the expense.
Some qualifications after your name may actually detract from your employability if they exist in combination with higher ones (no, you won't draw me on which ones). AAT is not one of them so it really all comes down to a matter of whether you feel dual memberships are justifiable and being honest, whilst I think that keeping your options open is a good idea if it comes to a choice then the funds involved would probably be better spent on acquiring the higher qaulification.
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.
Be another 3 years minimum before i can add PQ ACCA to my CV.
The last 2 years have flown by though, it's been really good. The only trouble is, i'm 2 years older and will be another 3 older in 3 years time lol.
My wife and i are always talking about how we can't wait for the mortgage to be paid off, then we talk about how we will be 5 years older, then we both agree that it's best to still have the mortgage lol.
I think i'll spend the dosh on ACCA instead of renewing my membership. It was niggling in my mind, it niggles no more.
To be honest I don't make best use of my membership....but the idea is it's not just about the letters. AAT provide a lot of free CPD, networking and support opportunities. I went to one VAT update seminar once which was excellent. Also lots of discounts off insurances and gym memberships. Being totally disorganised in my personal life I take advantage of none of them! :(.
You could always join as a MAAT later if you felt you needed/wanted to.
