could you not complete the ACCA qualification before abandoning it? (#1)
which paper or option of papers do you still have to go by the way?
There are an awful lot of people in the same predicament as yourself and as a result of that there are many jumping ship to the AIA or IFA.
With only one paper left to go you could get a practice certificate from the IFA but you would only be able to join at DIP FA level rather than FFA level. As far as I can tell it makes no different to the services that you can offer.
Personally I exist in a worst of all worlds situation where I can do anything under my IFA banner but refuse to step down from ACCA so appease regulation 8 by working under direct supervision of a chartered.
considering your studies and background I think that considering ICB/IAB level qualifications would be foolish.
AAT would get you where you want to be and is a viable option with a quality qualification although, remember that you will be dealing with accountants and consider what the qualification that you trade under says about you.
The impression that I get with IFA is that so many of them are ex ACCA students who either dropped out before the final hurdle or their ten years expired that I think many accountants half expect the IFA person to be a cunningly disguised ACCA one and you do seem to get more respect... Of course, in my case being six foot tall and thick set may of course also contribute to that!
As I say, take a look at IFA and AIA to see if they are a good fit for your requirements but also consider finishing ACCA regardless as to whether you feel that you will be able to use their practice certificate.
kind regards,
Shaun.
#1 I edited the post as this line may. I appreciate, not make a great deal of sense. Why complete a qualification that you cannot use? Well, it's what it says about you.
A lot of people start ACCA but few complete it. To have achieved membership even if not able to use the qualification says a great deal about the person and for all the pain and suffering one went through to achieve it, the achievement is worth it as suddenly other organisations want you either by direct transfer of membership or. as with CTA you cannot even apply to study the qualification until you have achieved a qualification of merit such as ACCA.
Ask yourself. When you got so close do you really want to walk away now?
-- Edited by Shamus on Sunday 21st of April 2013 05:18:16 PM
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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.
Hello everyone, this is my first post, I hope you don't mind a bit of background and a question as I need some help please.
I am one paper away from qualifying as ACCA but I will never meet the criteria to get a practising certificate and have decided to go it alone after working as FD for many years in both for profit and in the charitable sector, I also have a degree in Accountancy. I haven't had time to finish the qualification due to family and work commitments and I understand that regulation 8 will stop me from doing the type of work I do in any case.
So it appears I need to give up on the ACCA if I decide to pursue this choice.
I know that I strictly dont need a practising certificate to move forward but I will need to register for Money Laundering.
So if others have been in my position what have you done and what prompted your decision? Have you registered with the HMRC or switched at AAT, ICB, IAB or something else?
Thank you for your very full reply Shaun, I hadn't considered working under supervision I may have to have a chat with some of my mates and see what the art of the possible is. I hadn't considered the IFA so I'll have a look at that too.
ACCA qualification has been a long and at times very painful experience and I am booked to sit the exam in June so I will probably complete it if only for the satisfaction of doing so, I usually complete what I start I suppose it's just who I am.
Best advice for that one is just doing every question in the Kaplan study text repeatedly (espechially all of the group accounts chapters)
On the bright side, although it is officially the worst of the papers its pass rate isn't that bad I think reflecting that people know what it's like.
Personal view is that the BPP text is not good enough for that one as their text is all about theory whereas the Kaplan one is about practical application and repeated practice building up one's skills with repetition and slight variation.
Actually, there are a lot of mistakes in the questions in the Kaplan text and in hindsight I think that they might be there on purpose as you only really know that you are ready when you can turn around and say that the books wrong.
I've passed P2 (2nd attempt). Only got P7 to go now.
I'll race you to the letters, lol.
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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 didn't do P7 Shaun so I have no advice to offer. I know some of the students at Kaplan who did do it were very unhappy with what they said was a tough paper so good luck! I have the Kaplan stuff and hopefully will go on the revision course.
I have missed the opportunity to sit this blasted paper twice because of work pressures I am determined to do it in June. It seems silly to pass it only to resign but after getting very good advice from Shaun I'm seeing if there is another way even if it delays my plans for a while.
