I'm quite lucky in that I live quite close to Birmingham, giving me the choice of Kaplan, BPP & First Intuition.
My self study with Kaplan isn't quite going to plan, not with working ridiculous hours and having no study support at work at all. Nothing. And with added pressure to work Saturdays (when hell freezes over) I am really struggling to get going.
I am considering going to class. (I dread the idea, I am breaking out into an uncomfortable sweat just at the thought of it, but needs must). Kaplan is so expensive!!!! I was wondering if anyone can recommend First Intuition as classroom based tuition. I am not keen on BPP (they seem really stuffy and also very expensive).
I really need to crack on with CIMA as I am now applying to management accounts positions where CCAB etc is required. Will I really be able to learn as well in a classroom? Is it worth the money or would I be better having the live online lessons?
Can anyone tell me their experiences and whether to go to Kaplan or FI?
My next step is to ask for the time off to attend - I plan on asking for it to be without pay as I cant get a pay rise at all (4 attempts!!!!) -Can I ask how anyone would phrase it so it sounds beneficial to the company to let me have time off!!!
Sorry to have a whine
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Em
MAAT, CIMA student, avoider of Tax as much as possible and going greyer by the day.
I would say living near Birmingham means you are very unlucky.
Now Im expecting a couple of people to come on and batter me for that, but they must realise by now that Manchester is the second city! lol.
Actually FI havent yet realised it, but no doubt they will at some point.
The only time Ive studied at college was going back to the 1980s when I had day release to start my Chartered Banking exams, so I cannot speak from personal experience. But a couple of thoughts -on that front:-
Glad its not a local generic college!!! Ive been hearing dreadful things about one local to me and yes thats just one amongst probably a few thousand but when you hear things such as 23 out of 30 pupils failing one module, and they have already moved on to the next, then you do have to wonder. But of course the likes of the three you mention specialise in such subjects so choosing one of them is a plus point.
Whoever you choose you will have to put in as much work as if you were doing the course via DL - which Im sure you appreciate, but at least you would have a dedicated day to your studies, without having to worry about work. So another plus point.
Ask yourself if its just the pressure of work that is stopping you, just a time issue or if you feel the need for some support through a tutor. Then its what kind of tutor support you need. Face to face/available to respond with 'x' amount of time/available at weekends etc. Its all about your own learning style and nobody can really advise you on that Im afraid. When Im learning I do my best to work it out myself, but do like to know someone is there who I can ask (even if I never ask!)
If you were taking an 'unpaid' day - would you be better just concentrating on the DL. Given you have paid for it already/dont like classroom environments/can work at your own pace (bad if not motivated, but good if you arent waiting for someone else to get it before you can move on)
Kaplan and FI both do the live online BUT I understand they work quite differently. Kaplan - you can attend on the day/evening and you will also then get a link of the recording which you can dip into and out of for months afterwards (possibly even a year). If you miss a lecture you can just jump in to listening to that link anyway the next day and obviously get tutor support. FI - you need to check out as I seem to recall that either you didnt give you a link to the lecture OR you only got it for a short time (BUT I could be completely wrong, so worth a chat with them. Try Nick (the Craggy) Craggs - he is on here and is one of their tutors (up for an award by the way as are FI - see the BKN Awards at the top of the page if you havent already!)
On the old day release. Dont ask for unpaid. Go for paid first. Work on the basis of - Dont ask dont get. Do ask, might still not get, but nothing lost. I would ask your line manager a straight question perhaps whilst having a general chit chat - does the company offer day release and how do I apply? They may be surprised to hear you want it. Then you can launch into the benefits - tell them you love working for them, want to progress in and with the company, feel that you would be able to offer the company more by taking on more complex roles once you are fully qualified and that by them assisting you with the training means that you will be able to work better and smarter for them in the future. Something along those lines. (In lieu of a lack of a bloody payrise, you tight wads I would add, lol)
Failing that you might want to look at compressed hours to get say half day, or go part time to get the full day you need.
I didnt hear any whining!!!!!!!!!!!! Must try harder Em.
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate the time you've taken to do so.
I think its the time pressure of working so much and then struggling to get into a groove to do the distance learning. Hence the thought about unpaid to go to college to have the time without distractions to actually get on with it.
I've said unpaid as the reasons I cant get a pay review are from we have no work, have to see what happens with brexit, I'm too busy to look at it at the moment and yesterdays delight of well I don't know if we will have much work next year. So on the whole I am feeling very fed up, under appreciated and generally fobbed off. So the chances of me actually getting leave to attend is really bloomin slim.
This is where I struggle to "be adult" and have conversations without letting emotions get in the way. I worry way too much about the outcome being negative that I find it easier to not have the conversation in the first place!! I need to man up!!
Hopefully next year I will move away from these types of companies and get into one that is actually interested in staff development. On the plus side, I have learnt so much, my confidence to apply for jobs I would previously discount has increased ten fold.
Thanks again for your advise and thoughts Joanne, you have my vote for Bookkeeper of the year :)
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Em
MAAT, CIMA student, avoider of Tax as much as possible and going greyer by the day.
Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate the time you've taken to do so.
I think its the time pressure of working so much and then struggling to get into a groove to do the distance learning. Hence the thought about unpaid to go to college to have the time without distractions to actually get on with it.
I've said unpaid as the reasons I cant get a pay review are from we have no work, have to see what happens with brexit, I'm too busy to look at it at the moment and yesterdays delight of well I don't know if we will have much work next year. So on the whole I am feeling very fed up, under appreciated and generally fobbed off. So the chances of me actually getting leave to attend is really bloomin slim.
This is where I struggle to "be adult" and have conversations without letting emotions get in the way. I worry way too much about the outcome being negative that I find it easier to not have the conversation in the first place!! I need to man up!!
Hopefully next year I will move away from these types of companies and get into one that is actually interested in staff development. On the plus side, I have learnt so much, my confidence to apply for jobs I would previously discount has increased ten fold.
Thanks again for your advise and thoughts Joanne, you have my vote for Bookkeeper of the year :)
Emotions show you are passionate about something, so dont worry about those. Although in those really awkward conversations I used to dig my fingernails in my hands to not get emotional - doesnt do your hands any good, but keeps that steely glare when needed. But I am guessing that you would struggle with that line ''tell them you love working for them'' !! Just chatting the other day and saying about companies who drop the 'Christmas will there will there not be a job bombshell' - very caring of them!
You might be seen to be doing them a favour by reducing your hours.
Do what is right for you, give yourself a break, but dont give up, keep the job as long as you can hang on as finding one is always easier when you have one. Bad time of year for job hunting to my mind unless its absolutely necessary. BUT - remember you have your AAT to fall back on if needs be. Whilst perhaps not what you want at this stage at least it gives you the option of being self employed to keep bringing money in.
Maybe use their attitude as a motivation to get that study done.
Thank you on the vote - its so very much appreciated. Im extremely chuffed to be even nominated so any votes are a lovely bonus.
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
