I have browsed websites/forums and think I found most answers I need but wondering if someone can still help/advise with regards to my own situation? I'm hoping I have my background information right!
I have self studied, completed & passed ICB level 1, 2 & computerised level 2. I spoke to AAT earlier in the year and they agreed that yes the 3 exams can be used (kind of instead of AAT level 2) so that I can start straight at AAT level 3.
As with the financial issue most people have, and that I am happy I have passed previous exams without tutor assistance, I have (practically) decided to do the self study route, so buying the books for the 6 modules (I have found 2nd hand on Ebay from Kaplan/BPP & Osbourne), and booking the exams as an external candidate as other people do. I understand there is a spreadsheet module that has to be done through a provider but don't mind if I am saving money on the rest of the modules/exams.
My couple queries are firstly which books would most people advise, kaplan, BPP or osbourne? Secondly has anyone ever had issues booking exams as an external candidate. And thirdly, I know with regards to universities some people/companys say that although the result is important they also take note of where the student was, will I be any worse of for future prospects for completing level 3 as a self study as opposed to through a provider?
First off, Distance Learning is as good as classroom based learning as far as employers go. In fact you could actually use the distance learning to your advantage as it proves self motivation. You may find yourself completing exams far quicker than the classroom students are, or you may enjoy taking time out in between exams, the choice of what, when and where is entirely yours.
I studied level 3 AAT with Kaplan Financial (Distance learner) and never used tutor support so really i could have saved a fortune. Tutor support IS a safety net though, but with internet access to sites like this you already have that.
I would recommend the extra spend on brand new study texts and also revision kits. AAT have had a bit of a shake up this year and some stuff has been jiggled with.
Spreadsheet Software has to be purchased through a training provider, but shop about and don't be afraid to haggle! there are students over on the AAT forum that have paid between £50 and £200 for this module. (I think BPP were the cheapest in my area).
After reading through this you will have found that i favour Kaplan study texts, I passed every level 3 & 4 AAT exam first time using these texts. ( i wouldn't say 'these texts alone' as there was a fair bit of internet research involved too)
The ICB site won't let you answer peoples technical queries unless they are signed up members of the ICB so straight away falls down on advice independence.
Accounting web... Well, think Christians, Colluseum and lions... Great spectator sport but try to avoid being part of the action... Well, unless your a lion anyway.
Great advice by the way and I've nothing to add to it.
Welcome to the ski slope Sarah... Well, you can't go off piste unless you start there can you Neil. lol.
kind regards,
Shaun.
__________________
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 think that we should all be signed up for Accountingweb. The only thing to remember is that one posts at their own peril over there where we are generally a lot more accommodating. (Thinks about Lorraine' post where the lions got loose on this site and whistles a happy tune hoping that everyone else has forgotten that one!).
I like Kaplan Engage. Its quite useful having your books available at the click of a button.
One thing that I do find strange though is that the include a list of corrections on the engage site but they do not correct the online version of the books! (I also generally have longer lists of corrections than the one's that they have spotted).
Despite the issues that they suffer by updating previous examples for changes of legislation too quickly I swear by Kaplan texts (rather than at the BPP ones for not having enough examples (I'm very much a let me do it sort of learner)).
I will say though that for AAT Osbourne have some excellent texts, especially the one's written by David Cox.
If I were Approaching AAT studies the way that Sarah is I would go with the Kaplan study texts but also buy a copy of this book that covers more than one of the modules :
Oh, and Sarah, There's also a sticky on this site directing you to free learning resources available from the Web.
All the best,
Shaun.
p.s. Totally identifying with the coffee comment at the moment... Will that damn kettle never boil.
__________________
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.
Why are you always twisting my words lol. (this could turn into a value pricing thread lmao)
Ohhh it's definitely coffee season, bit too nippy for them energy drinks.
As for booking exams as an external candidate Sarah, Kaplan used to charge an admin fee but they charge all students this now. You should have no problems booking but again i would advise that you shop around as prices can vary quite a lot between exam centres.
Thanks everyone for all the replys and advice. Excited now to get started but figured I would wait till after christmas, roll on the new year :)
My only other dilemma now is experience - practically all jobs want experience that revolve around going into accounting. Hard decision is I am happy in my job for the time being, working as an administrator while studying at home, and its currently better paid than a lot of payroll/accounts assist/trainee accounts jobs that I have found within a reasonable distance.
I have some experiance whilst being an administrator of things like petty cash, invoicing systems & purchase orders, and my partner is in his second year of being a sole trader and I have completed his tax return and look after all the finance side using sage.
What I can't decide is whether to take a pay cut now and search for a job where I will get some experiance whilst studying, or whether to stay where I am until I complete level 3 & in the meantime do some voluntary work experience, so that when I start applying for jobs I have a higher qualification to offer people so might have a better chance of getting somewhere decent?
I studied level 3 and 4 on my own as you are planning. I didn't get the Kaplan books, they didn't seem to be written in an easy to understand way whereas I found the BPP books simple. I booked my exams mainly at BPP because they only charged the AAT fee. Kaplan charged me £15 admin fee. Other places wanted to charge £40 admin fee per exam! Spreadsheets module was slightly cheaper with Kaplan so I went with them although their organisation was so bad, no dates available ("for the next 6 months"!!!), took weeks more than it should to mark the exam and unfriendly staff on the phone that i decided I wouldn't use them again. So for the level 4 ICAS project I paid the extra and went with BPP which was a much better experience.
Dear all, I liked a lot post from Sarah because I am in the same situation = I did my manual and computerised bookkeeping Level 2 (+ payroll still on-going) and after useful advice (also discussed on this forum) I decided to continue with Level 3. (I realised that even if I will choose my own path as self-employed I will need knowledge from Level 3 definitely.). I used to study distance learning till now but I realised that all that money which I did pay to provider was just waste of my money because I did my study during the nights (when my family was sleeping) and on my knees during the day brakes in my full-time job. I did not feel any extra support from my tutors I mean 98% was my hard study and rest tutors pointing on the pages in books and marking my assignments So please will you be so kind and can one more time explain to me how does it work to study as EXTERNAL CANDIDATE??? (Is it just to buy cheaper studying materials via lets say e-bay, doing my study alone =what I am doing this practically now anyway and pay for my exams? + I believe that even in this case I still need to be registered with some professional body, organisation .) As I look at this I can save this way huge amount of money Thank you for help
