Hello everyone,
I have no experience in accountancy, and I’m thinking of starting off with an online AAT course; this may be the *Level 1 Award in Bookkeeping*, being the most basic one.
Is it a good point to start from in order for someone to get into the accountancy field? Do you have any relevant experience with those qualifications? Have they helped you in getting a job etc?
What do you think?
4 comments
I think AAT is realistically a route to ACCA/CIMA.
You could stop at being a bookkeeper of course with the AAT qualification, but for higher earning potential going on to become a chartered accountant or management accountant is more lucrative.
You would basically need AAT to get into 95% of accounting roles
I used to run accountants and they looked down at AAT. it was CIMA or nothing.
of course they never used the CIMA twaddle. only boys learning used to prattle on about it
I’m currently a level 4 AAT accounts apprentice. I’m also new to the field, so this is my understanding but it may not be perfect. Basically… AAT is your route into accountancy, and completely worth it.
Getting to level 4 in AAT is going to mean you can get most bookkeeping/accounting jobs that don’t require charters. You can do most work except for signing stuff off.
They are also the route to ACCA/CIMA if you don’t have a degree: you *can* get level 7 (CIMA/ACCA) training as a post grad. But it is competitive.
I have gone straight in at level 4, but starting at level 1/2 is going to make life a lot easier for you, as I have had to fill the gaps in knowledge myself.
Edit: just Google “accountant jobs” and have a look at the requirements, it’ll show you what you need for your desired pay grade/level.