Hi Jo
If he is so set on a masters I don't think much we will say will make him change his mind. But can he do the Accounting one without any background nor related degree in such, as I though their requirements were quite strict?

Re the business management - I wouldn't bother, don't know where that would get him and just wasting his time if he really wants to get into Accountancy. In the businesses I've worked in such a subject at degree level isn't seen as,let's say, equal as some of the others.

Does he want to be Chartered?

Given his degree situation I would've thought he could just cut out AAT and go straight into ACCA or even look to get a training contract and go ACA, but the latter might depend on how long ago he did his degree. He could then do his Accounting and Finance masters after he has gained some experience and after his Chartereds as a bolt on/CPD.

Hi Jo
I saw a great analogy yesterday.....

Your qualification is like an attractive new car that gets noticed, but your experience is the engine that will take you places.

If he is anything like my brothers - he will just ignore his sister anyway 

-- Edited by Cheshire on Tuesday 7th of November 2017 03:23:36 PM

Hi Jo,

an MSc is nothing at all like AAT or even ACCA studies. No debits and credits studies but plenty of getting into the mindset of why the comporate greats (and not so greats) act the way that they do. I would actually say that the accounting Msc is more akin to a cross between History and psycology degree's than what one is used to with accountancy studies.

As joanne suggests, if he's considering this route then look at ACCA and then do the ACCA approved MSc in accountancy with the Univesity of London.

Worth noting that if he does an MSc. he won't have much time for anything else. I certainly dont think that he should attempt AAT at the same time as there is little commonality and he will already be investing all of his time in the degree.

And on which note... Thats just what I should be doing at the moment. Good luck with whatever oute he decids to go,

Shaun.

Hi David,

been a while. Hope that you are well matey.

Think that we are always going to disagree as to whether Cima or ACCA is better for commerce.

I'm working in industry at the moment (high finance sector) and a fair chunk of the guys that I'm working with at this site are fully qualified CIMA. Still not seeing any skills differential on the management accounting side between the two... At the minute the advice all seems to be going one way but thats probably more down to past experience rather than qualifications.

One other consideration here is that an MSc counts as CPD so gaining a top end qualification (ACCA or CIMA) could be supplemented with an MSc. I agree with you. It should definitely not be considered as an "instead of" qualification.

I would however disagree with you about an MSc or MBA not counting. Having a BSc is now an expected entry level qualification to the profession (although I for one don't have one but suspect that others always assumed that I did) and wins absolutely no brownie point on applications. Having an MSc. however differentiates you from the crowd as like ACCA (and I believe CIMA) with good reason only a few of those who start it actually gain it.

I been in positions where we are hiring people and seeing an MSc AND accountancy qualification on a CV gets them a position in the consider pile even with limited other relevant experience... Of course, it also works the other way in that I've also witnessed conversations along the lines of "why would someone with a masters want this position? Whats wrong with them!". So it can count against candidates as well.

Hi David,

it's peripheral hedge fund work with emphasis on next level investment property financing (i.e. global investments in office complexes and shopping malls). Whilst it's in my world still trying to decide whether or not it's a good fit for my brought forwards skillset and experience as I find many elements of it far too simplistic when compared to banking operations.

Its not a permament role as such as there is a defined end date (I'm only there to fix them and then move on). That suits me perfectly as I should be able to better judge which side of the fence my future career path lies on. Certainly it's not working "for" others, but the question is whether my skillset is better employed working with a succession of very large clients or a large number of small ones. Both have benefits and shortfalls but the perception of some of the smallest clients that we are an overhead rather than a benefit to their busineses is very much swinging me towards corporate work.

You are too kind with the encyclopedic comment. Trust me, there are still huge gaps in my knowledge... But for me, I think thats the real key to this. The continual learning and underlying feeling that no matter how much you know you are also fully aware that in the greater scheme of things you know nothing (Why do I have this overwhelming desire to finish that sentence with "Jon Snow").

I agree completely with your stance over degree's compared to professional qualification. To me being able to wield professional letters (ACCA/ACA/CIMA/etc.) trump the purely academic suffixes. But as you say, employers seem to attribute some perceived superiority to candidates with degree's that when compared to professional qualifications is not to my mind warranted. On the positive side of course the major bodies know this and help members to gain additional letters post qualification as CPD. For example, I am doing my Masters in professional accountancy through the ACCA's arrangement with the University of London (the BSc. if you want it is through one of the Oxford universities).

And talking of MSc's. Thats what I should be doing at the moment. Laters matey.

Shaun.