I took my AAT exams a LONG time ago - 1997 to be precise! At the time, I was planning on going on to CIMA/ACCA, so didn't become an MAAT. I started my CIMA; then 6 months later fell pregnant. So for the next few years, other things took priority! In 2004, when kids started school, we moved to the south west, and I started up as a self employed bookkeeper. It has grown into a reasonable business, but I have always pitched myself as a bookkeeper - Never gone beyond accounts to Trial Balance for Ltd companies, Sole Trader accounts and sole trader self assessments.
I am beginning to feel that I'd like to offer a bit more. A number of accountants that I work with say I am undervaluing my services. I do more than just number processing, (no offence meant!) and think I add value to my clients businesses. So, I have approached AAT to see if its not too late for me to become an MAAT, and possible an MAAT MIP. I am currently waiting for them to get back to me.
Are there any MAATs out there with a view? Is it worth going down this route (if I can)? I have a 'friendly' accountant who would sign off my work experience, so that wouldn't be an issue.
If any of your clients need to apply to a bank for a loan or mortgage and need an accountants reference, the banks are likely to accept you as a reference if you are MAAT, especially if you are licensed MIP.
The full AAT qualification is an accounting qualification so this in principle qualifies you to do accounting work.
You can tell clients that you are a fully qualified and regulated member of a highly respected professional body.
You are probably doing continuing professional development anyway for your existing business. As an AAT MIP you will have to formalise the planning and recording of CPD so this will be an additional time consuming task.
For areas in which you don't have experience signed off (limited company accounts, corporation tax), the AAT practising certificate would not include these areas so you would be restricted until you got this experience signed off.
Liz I was in a similar position to you- I did my first year of AAT back in 2003 then life and my bookkeeping practice took over so something had to give and I chose to stop college.
I carried on with my bookkeeping practice until I had time several years later to re start college and continue with my studies, I gained my MAAT status and registered my practice with them (as well as keeping my practice licence with ICB) and find I am now able to offer much more than previously- I am registered to process company returns, self assessment etc. which my ICB licence wouldn't allow without even more exams
So what I would say is go for it- it gives you more scope and more credibility as an accountant - I sell myself as both a bookkeeper and an accountant
You will be able to offer more services and therefore increase your revenue
Hi. Thanks for your replies.
I have contacted AAT, and they are digging out my details, to confirm that I did pass what I say I did!
Sounds like they will then send me the membership paperwork to complete, so I think I am going to give this a go, and see what happens!
With MAAT you get loads of benefits, not just the option to get MIP status. It is great for professional recognition, but you also get AAT additions where you get discounts off all maner of things.
Kind regards
Nick
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Nick
Nick Craggs FMAAT ACA AAT Distance Learning Manager
OK, so after much toing and froing with emails and calls to the AAT over the last couple of weeks, I have finally got all the forms I need to fill in to become MAAT, and a licensed MiP.
I have to say I feel very daunted by it all!
The MAAT application form is 6 pages long. The Work Experience evidence another 8. And now I have just printed off the 22 pages of application forms for MiP. Soo many words to write to prove I can do what I say I can: I am good with numbers not words! .
I am a bit lost as to where to start with it all. (I have an ACCA ready to vouch for me; but I need to find someone to give me Continuity of Practice before I start this process.)
As I understand it, I can't apply for MAAT first, as because I already have clients and practice (unlicensed) as a Bookkeeper, I cannot be MAAT without being MiP, so I need to apply for everything at once . I feel like I have spent the last 8 years playing at running a business, and now it gets real!
Thing is, I really want to develop myself, which hasn't really happened up to now. I have only worked at this part time, whilst bringing up a family, so have 20 clients or so, and only offer Bookkeeping, Payroll, VAT, and SA for sole traders. I am going to need a mentor to get experience finalising accounts and preparing Corp Tax.
I think I am just going to have to take a deep breath, and try and start the application, before I lose heart and talk myself out of it!
I think you have to be FMAAT to become MIP. That's 5+ years as MAAT.. either that or I got gibbed!!!
I've done the forms and still have my copies, so let me know if you need any help.
Ye Gods - so glad David replied quite quickly about the FMAAT. I nearly had heart failure when I read that!!
The question I've been asking the AAT, (and not really getting a definitive answer on) is as I am not an AAT member at the mo, but am working as a self employed bookkeeper, can I apply for MAAT first, and then the MIP. Or do I need to do the whole thing in one go? Can you practice (all bit it briefly) as MAAT whilst applying for the MiP License? I am struggling to find examples of just how deeply I need to go in answering the MiP questions to prove my experience and for CPD. It looks like there is lots of help on the AAT website; but you need a membership number to access it! So I am a bit stuck!!
(So yes FoxAccounting, if you do have anything which you area prepared to share with me to help with my application, that would be very kind. Thanks!)
You can be MAAT like i am not and not be MIP, or you can be both. You just cant be MIP without MAAT.
Any problems just let me know
Nick
Oh thank you for clarifying that Nick. I had got that completely wrong then, as I was understanding it to mean you couldn't run a business and just be MAAT. You needed to be MiP as well. (Though I do intend to become MiP.)
And thanks for the offer of a chat FoxAccountancy. I may take you up on that; although I'm having to keep postponing when I think I can spend time on this application, as work keeps getting in the way!! So it might be after Christmas now; or after the January Self Assessment 'rush'!
I think I am just going to have to take a deep breath, and try and start the application, before I lose heart and talk myself out of it!
Have you started the application Liz? I have just spent 2 hours on mine and still unsure if I have written enough. All seems quite repetitive on the work experience sheets on mine!
Getting slightly back to the title of the thread, can I shamelessly plug the AAT's MAATchat event where the AAT and I will be discussing what the benefits of becoming a full member of the AAT are tomorrow evening?
If you want to join (it is a Facebook event) you can see do so here:
Have you started the application Liz? I have just spent 2 hours on mine and still unsure if I have written enough. All seems quite repetitive on the work experience sheets on mine!
Funnily enough, I had a client cancel an appointment at the last minute, so I spent yesterday afternoon putting some words together. I thought mine was a bit repetitive as well! I found this was quite good at giving an idea on what to put :
I also read somewhere that about 160-180 words per section was enough.
Are you applying for MiP as well? I will need to do that after this, as I run a small practice. That application is much worse than the MAAT one, in my opinion!
Nick - No worries about the plug for the MAAT Chat - I have just registered to join it!
Are you applying for MiP as well? I will need to do that after this, as I run a small practice. That application is much worse than the MAAT one, in my opinion!
I am already MAAT. Can't remember filling out an application for it though. Maybe because I went straight from student member to full?
I was talking about the 22 page MIP application. Think I might go back to it on the weekend with a clear head before submitting it!
I am already MAAT. Can't remember filling out an application for it though. Maybe because I went straight from student member to full?
I was talking about the 22 page MIP application. Think I might go back to it on the weekend with a clear head before submitting it!
Oh lord; I'm not even thinking about the MiP bit yet I'm currently getting frustrated with the AAT Call Centre, as they say I can log in to do my Work Experience bit for my MAAT application but its not recognising my email address. Twice I've called, and been told it will get 'reset'. Still not getting in this morning...
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. I feel like I have spent the last 8 years playing at running a business, and now it gets real!
I'm currently getting frustrated with the AAT Call Centre, as they say I can log in to do my Work Experience bit for my MAAT application but its not recognising my email address. Twice I've called, and been told it will get 'reset'. Still not getting in this morning...
