Should I start working towards becoming an Accountant by doing AAT Foundation course?
I am a 27 year old graduate and am currently taking a Book Keeping for Small Business course at my local college. Thinking of a career change and am really interested in Accountancy. Any ideas where I should start? My lecturer recommended the AAT course (Foundation Level). Is this the best option? Thanks!
Other - Careers & Employment - 5 Answers
People Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
Hi i am 26 and have just completed the book keeping course, iv been told that AAT is really difficult and would not advise it as home study but yes its a very good start. Good Luck
Answer 2 :
That would certainly help. You will also need to get in the door and get hands on experience. You may try a trainee accountants role. AAT foundation will teach you the basics of double entry and prime entry books. Yes its a very good course, each year gets harder!
Answer 3 :
Hi there. Last year I finished a degree in Fine Art, but was offered a trainee accountant job with a friend of the family. So having done 3 years of art, I had no experience with Accounts. However, I have started doing the ACCA course. It is taught worldwide & the organisation/association is highly looked upon. I am doing it as a home course & it is quite difficult to find the time whilst putting in the physical side at work however, it is very rewarding. Check out their website & if you want any further information, please email.
Answer 4 :
If you know the basics of bookkeeping then the Foundation AAT should be a breeze. The difficulty is when you start the Intermediate and Technician levels and you are not working within an accounts environment. It's very hard to take it all in when you have no way of putting it into practice. My advice would be to do the Foundation course and in the meantime try and find a job that will involve you putting some of the things you had learned into practice and some may even give you time off to study and go to class. Having completed the AAT qualification, whilst working in accounts, there are still some things I have forgotten because I never had to apply them in my job.
Answer 5 :
AAT is a very comprehensive course and would give you a sound background in all areas of accounting. But you mention that you are a graduate. Depending upon your degree, you could either do a conversion course for your chosen professional body (ICAEW, CIMA or ACCA) and then go onto full exams or you may even be able to go straight onto their exams with some possible exemptions. Passing AAT won't make you an accountant, it will make you an accounting technician. Nothing wrong with that, just limits your career path or makes the journey a bit longer. Decide which qualification you want, then go onto the student pages of their website to see the quickest way to reach your goal.
Read more other entries :
