Accountancy as a career - which path to take?

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DS1 is interested in being an accountant, but struggling to know which path to take post GSCEs.

He is planning to stay on into 6th form, but isn't sure whether to take Maths A level or not (some universities seem to want it, some don't specify, and although he is predicted an 8 at GCSE he would probably do better in/enjoy other subjects more at A Level).

And then he isn't sure whether uni or an apprenticeship in accountancy would be a better option.

Does anyone work in this field or recruitment to accountancy and know the best route in for young people at the moment?

Any knowledge/information gratefully received!

You don’t need specific A levels for most unis/courses which is good. However, maths is the most desirable a level in that area if it helps. Anything like business studies / economics would also be useful.

At university he wouldn’t need to specifically study accounting, he could do most degree courses (but especially a maths/business type one) and get a placement for accounting training.

There are lots of good school leaver programmes straight from A level. I would recommend going for a firm smaller than big 4 if you do. BDO /GT / RSM / Mazars would be better. The big 4 (EY, Deloitte, PWC & KPMG) are great for the CV but don’t treat staff that well at the more junior level and you could be on one or two big clients where it’s more monotonous work. Audit is the most common entry route but there’s also tax and other similar grad entry options.

Both the graduate and school leaver route can mean doing the same qualification to be a professional accountant so nothing to hold you back that way. Uni means a few more years of fun/life experience/chance to grow up and become independent but obviously costs a small fortune. School leaver programmes mean starting at big firms very young but you earn straight away and won’t have grad debt.

Hope that is a helpful overview! Happy to answer any other questions.

Hi Dumbles, that was so helpful, thank you! Current A Levels he is choosing between are Chemistry, Business Studies, Economics, Geography, Maths. There is the option to do a Maths Studies AS equivalent which he is thinking about rather than maths, but he is even more indecisive than me so struggling to make the final choice.

When you say that maths is the most desirable A Level, would that be even if he would (potentially) get a lower grade in that than he would a different subject? It's more about the subject than the grade?

Agree with post above. I am a finance director, having worked in house for last 20 years. My a levels were English, history & sociology and I studied law at university. I think accountancy has many entry paths including directly into work within a company or in a firm, or via university. From my own experience I think you can’t go wrong & choosing things you think you can excel at or are interested in, and will therefore do well, is a good start.

My daughter has just started an apprenticeship with KPMG. She is in pensions audit and is enjoying it so far. Lots of spreadsheets at her level, but she is aware that as she progresses she will be given more varied tasks. She took Maths, History and Law at A level. The UCAS points required for the place was BBB, but her offer was conditional on her receiving her predicted grades, which were A* A A.

I did Biology, Chemistry and English and a biology degree. Then trained as an accountant on a graduate programme (in industry, management accountant not auditing). Very few of my qualified accountant colleagues did maths A level. They are a mix of those who left school at 16 and trained in a finance job, some who did apprenticeships and others with degrees. Actually very few did accountancy or finance at Uni but it does give you some exemptions from exams if you do.