Interested in Accountancy, please read my story.UK

[Adamlivuk]

I am currently working fulltime in Telewest communications on the broadband technical support team. I have been working in this position for approximately 18 months.

Before that I started a degree in computer games technology in JMU, however I had a real life crisis and I ended up leaving the course and moved to full time work. I also realised that this was not the course for me. I lost a lot of interest fast.

I have completed a BTEC in computer science at Southport college attaining several distinction passes in my 2nd year.

I have 5 A - C grade GCSEs.

I have a keen interest in pursuing some qualifications in Accountancy.
At GCSE level I really enjoyed the accountancy modules in business. Shortly after school I almost went to do some Accountancy at college.
However I was much more interested in Computing at the time.

I was thinking about pursuing some qualifications on the AAT (association of accounting technicians) courses (www.aat.co.uk).
Through this I would become a qualified Accountant in a work based environment.
I would ideally like to aim to go for ACCA based chartered accountancy.

I figured the AAT courses are really good as they are work based qualifications, that include pay and education. As from what I can see these days having an accountancy degree is by no means enough, Its the work experience that employers want?

I am thinking about starting from the foundation level of the AAT. This would cost me approximately £800. Then with the foundation level I may be able to secure a position at an accountants as a trainee technician. This would mean my further qualifications would be paid for.

I realise that this would mean a lot of hard-work. But I am most willing to take this risk.
Falling out of my current job would be a risk. But I really do not want to be stuck in computer based technical support. As I have pursued through levels of computing I have realised that just about everyone these days is going into Computer science. And many many graduates are without work.
I have also heard Accountancy is going this way too.

I would ideally like some advice from some ACCA students whom could advise me on a good career path to choose. I would also like to ask some questions about what the ACCA course is like.

Many thanks in advance guys.
Most appreciated!

Adam Hardy
Liverpool UK

Age 20





Edited by - Adamlivuk on Aug 10 2004 054630 AM

[Ice_Blue]

did u give ICAEW a thought.... they give an ACA qualification.

Best of luck.

Ice Blue

[Pracs]

Adamlivuk,

I am also an ACCA qualified accountant and work for the Internal Audit department of a large bank in Dubai, UAE. I think your line of action is at its best economical and workable. As long as you like accounting and know what you are getting into, I’d say go for it. I am not too much sure of what the job prospects (at entry level) in the UK are, however the accounting profession is still expanding especially with new tighter legislation and the EU moving towards IFRS and other SOX like legislations coming in.

An accountant’s job is never done, there are always opportunities opening up. One of my friend’s who is also an ACCA was trained and worked in Pakistan and Dubai, recently joined EY in the UK. If you are decided upon accountancy I’d say ACCA is the best qualification to work upon, especially in your case where you would like to do it at your own pace.

Regards

[label]

Hi Adam

I'm an ACCA Student - doing options in December and have taken the route that you described in your post.

I became AAT qualified in 2001 and then proceeded to ACCA after that.

Regarding your goal of starting at Foundation - depending on the experience you currently have in Accounts you may be able to start at Intermediate Level. You may also be able to find an employer to offer you a study package.

There are different study and work routes that you can take with AAT and ACCA.

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See Ya
-)
Visit www.accountancystudents.co.uk