I completed AAT a few years ago and have had 2 years in practice and 2 years in industry, I have got to the stage that I would like to try and go for the ACCA qualification. My only sticking point is the PER, I know it says that I could use my past experience but I dont want to go back to my old boss for this. If I was to stay in my current role I believe I would not gain enough experience to meet PER, so as I progress through the exams is it a matter of trying to get a job that will get me the experience or if I stay in my current job and say in 4 years time I qualify, I cant get the letters but I can say that I am ACCA qualified.
You've pretty much hit the nail on the head and of course add to that two more years post qualification experience in order to get a practicing certificate.
I think that 4 years may be pushing it.
Assume take exemptions from the first 3 then 2 per sitting with 1 pass 1 fail (average, sometimes you would get both other times nothing (#1)) then aiming for the qualification within 6 years would be more achievable and also give you chance to build up some money before possibly taking a pay cut to find a job as a PQ with a firm that gives you the experience for the PER (there's a lot of competition for a few suitable posts and employers take advantage of that).
You might also want to add another 6 months to that if you wanted to pick up the BSc at the end of the first 9.
On the say that you are qualified... I'm not sure? I know that you can't use the letters until you are a member which of course takes completion of the PER and the two years verifiable experience. My assumption was that beyond your CV there isn't a lot that you can do with the qualification until you have the rest of your ducks in a row.
Good luck with ACCA. To my mind its the best of the qualifictions but it is ridiculously hard and they do make you jump through some burning hoops to get it... Then again, if it was easy to get it wouldn't be worth getting.
kind regards,
Shaun.
#1 its often not lack of knowledge but rather the exams are ridiculously time pressured and you cannot hope to complete them in the time.
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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.
Sorry only getting back to you now, thanks for your advice. I need to have a think and see would it be worth it putting all the time in and maybe at the end of it not being able to use the ACCA to help me get a better job.
