Anyone done AAT whilst working?

[TulipsInbloom1]

If so, how was it? I'm being offered this course as it ties in with my role, but I'm unsure on how intensive it will be (have small dc and work ft).

It's level 2/entry level if that makes it any easier.

Are you working in finance already? Will you be given study leave? I did it after A Levels and the first modules were pretty much the same as A Level accounting. I did very little extra study other than the taught course and the revision course. It would be much harder without any existing finance knowledge though.

I'm currently in finance, have been for about a year. The organisation is small so I do get involved (and overwhelmed!!!) with a lot of what goes on.

I need to check what the process is for study leave/being able to work on the course at my desk in weekly slots etc.

Dh did level 2 over a year with about 10 hours study a week at home

Yes I did. It really depends on the class you get - for level 2 we got loads of homework; level 3 not much and L4 quite a bit. Colleagues who went to a different provider got no homework at all.

My DD was 3 when I started and I was working full time. I got a day off a week to go to college, and leave for exams.

DH was all at home

It's looking like it will be all done via distance learning which daunts me. And means I will have to purchase a laptop.

I did two levels and it was pretty difficult doing it all distance learning but that was managing time really. Why don’t you buy one of the books online (don’t have to sign up for anything) and have a look? It is possible to do it through the books but the exams are computerised.

Hi OP I'm in a similar situation. I work part time in finance and have 2 young DC. I'm studying Level 2 through distance learning. I'm not finding it too bad although finding time to study consistently can be tricky. I do enjoy it though and have wanted to do it for ages. I wish I'd cracked on with it a few years ago really. PM me if you fancy a chat

CIMA rather than AAT plus many of my colleagues study for AAT while working. The key is being disciplined. Some of my colleagues start early or leave late and go somewhere else eg meeting room so that they are out of sight while studying.

Read carefully any learning agreement you are asked to sign. Some try to tie people into staying post exams with the threat of recovering company costs.

It is a slog, there is no getting around that but getting qualified is transferable.

I studied ACCA while working full time. Challenging at times but organisation is key. I did not have children At the time however. I do know plenty of women with young children who have completed masters and phds!

It’s possible and do able so go for it

Level 2 is pretty easy, as you’ve got finance experience you’ll probably breeze through it.

I’ve done it, before kids though. I also did some coma exams whilst pregnant (enough to get me part qualified).

It is hard. But worth it. You need to be very disciplined.

Good luck! X

I did ACCA whilst working full time. It is hard but it is standard in the industry to do it that way.

I did all three levels of AAT while working full-time - pretty doable, although that was pre-DC. Have since started (very slowly!) working through ACCA foundation papers, and that's been a slog (two very young kids and no time off work for study/revision/exams...). In fact I've basically ground to a halt

But I digress - I think you should go for it, but as others have said, suss out what support you'll be getting from work and specifically what strings may be attached!

I have and I’ve done it all distance learning. It’s been fine. I’ve gone at my own pace and had a few times where I’ve paused for a few months due to life but it’s easy to pick up again. My advice would be to not pause in the middle of a module as you just have to go back and relearn it! Good luck!