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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask if AAT Level 2 is worth it?

57 replies

ducksgoquack222 · 06/12/2018 20:12

So, I'm due to go off in maternity in a couple of months and have been looking at potential courses I could do to retrain during this time. I enjoy my current job but want a career I can progress in and after doing my job for 5 years it's starting to feel a bit stale and at a stand still.

I have always had an interest and worked with budgets and been good with numbers, have an A Level in Maths and have a BArts 2:1 in English.

I suppose I'm looking for other people's experience, is a Level 2 AAT qualification worth investing in? Ive worked out my budget and can just about afford the course whilst on maternity but obviously dont want to invest if there is little chance of a return. Will it help me to get an entry level position in order to work up?

OP posts:
Screamqueenz · 06/12/2018 20:28

AAT is a good start, bu5 you'd need to get up to level 4.

Talkinpeece · 06/12/2018 20:29

AAT is a really good qualification.
Get AAT under your belt and you are employable within accountancy practices and many organisations

Shootingstar20 · 06/12/2018 20:32

I’m currently taking level 2 and level 3 AAT with ICB training link, they’re currently doing offers on the training link website and they’re amazing. You become icb registered so you always have a community to talk to and they help you get started in becoming self employed and doing books for small businesses and self employed people. My tutors really good as well, it’s pricey but worth the money :) www.traininglink.co.uk

TheMobileSiteMadeMeSignup · 06/12/2018 20:35

I did level 2 to get back into work. I then did 3 whilst working. Haven't done level 4 yet but looking into it.

CrazyKitkatLady · 06/12/2018 20:38

AAT is good. Level 2 would help you get an entry level job. A lot of places will pay for you to do level 3 and 4 once you get a finance job (which you need to do to move up, assuming you'd want to eventually). Level 2 & 3 are reasonably similar but level 4 is quite a bit harder - I thought so anyway! Worth it though 😁

Bigchanges2018 · 06/12/2018 20:43

I would recommend doing distance learning as a way to save money. If you are on Facebook there is a group called AAT distance learning group that I would highly recommend joining.

Ilovealexa · 06/12/2018 20:45

If you’ve not done any accounts whatsoever I’d start at Level 2 and you’ll immediately be employable as a bookkeeper.

ducksgoquack222 · 06/12/2018 21:00

Thanks everyone, the plan would hopefully be to progress up to Level 4. The company I have spoken to have sent over packages where I can pay for level 2, 3 and 4 to save money but hoping if I find a job and show and willingness to learn I may be able to get the following levels through employment?

OP posts:
Logistria · 06/12/2018 21:02

Potentially. No harm in it.

Looking longer term, if you were progressing you'd be likely to move onto one of the chartered qualifications afterwards if you wanted to open more doors.

You could equally well spend the time starting the ACCA qualification. On the face of it it sounds like you'd be eligible for direct entry without AAT.

You don't need to be in a training contract to start your exams and can do them at your own pace. It's pretty flexible now in terms of how many exams you do how often etc. Self study, online study, classroom study. BPP and Kaplan are the main providers.

You have ten years to complete all your exams and achieve your practical experience in order to qualify, so you wouldn't be up against the clock and could take a pause or multiple pauses. You need 3 years practical experience on top of the exams to qualify, but you can gain it afterwards or alongside.

Having started yourself on ACCA does make you more marketable. I've worked with people who started their exams in an entirely unrelated role as a way to get their foot in the door of an accountancy job, and then absolutely flew in terms of progression.

There will always be a transition between what you learn in the classroom and learning the job itself (hence the practical experience requirement to qualify), but if you're capable and determined in your studies then there is no reason you won't be able to and employers will look at how you managed your exams - so if you have exam passes under your belt already that is a positive. Employers tend to look favourably (in my experience) upon prospective trainees who've already shown the commitment to study and pass exams in their own time before landing a job.

ACCA also offers a technician qualification (which is what AAT is) that you can do before moving on to ACCA - CAT.

I don't think it's a bad idea at all. Just make sure you fully research and understand the different accounting qualifications, what they mean (eg difference between a technician qualification and a chartered qualification), and where they'll take you. As well as what you want to do with them afterwards!

AAT courses are offered a lot in colleges so there can sometimes be a perception that it's THE way to become an accountant and that once you have AAT you're fully qualified. Whilst it's absolutely a worthwhile qualification, it would also be a much longer path if you wanted to go all the way through to achieving chartered status. If you don't there is nothing wrong with that, but I would encourage you to make sure you understand the sector and all your options before you commit to one qualification. Some people want the experience of one of the technician qualifications before moving on, others don't. There is nothing wrong with either choice

Technician - AAT, CAT, ATT (tax specialist)...

Chartered - CIMA, ACCA, ICAEW, ICAS, CTA (tax specialist)...

There are other qualifications, but those are the main ones... With the exception of CAT, these are all from separate institutes (CAT is offered by ACCA). There are also other qualifications on offer by them. The qualification you choose really depends on what you want to do with it.

For example, CIMA is more for people who want to work as part of the accounts function in another business (eg being part of the finance team at M&S), ICAEW is traditionally for those who want to work in an accountancy practice, and ACCA is suitable for both.

Logistria · 06/12/2018 21:15

Should have mentioned. I wrote that essay as someone who was on the brink of signing up for an AAT course when I was looking at changing directions. Had it all mapped out how I was going to do the levels. Then somebody mentioned that it was only technician level even if I got all the way to level4, and if I wanted to be chartered I'd have to do another qualification afterwards. At which point I stepped back and realised I needed to do more research about the sector!

So I did my research and picked my qualification. You can probably guess which. I've never regretted it and I really value everything it's given me.

In terms of employment in this field, it's standard to be offered a training contract/be sponsored. I started my studies on my own, and then when I found a training post they paid for my courses and exam entry and gave me the time off work to attend them.

If you do well, often they'll sponsor you to do further specialist qualifications if they interest you or you have an aptitude for them. Some, particularly larger, firms will have clauses in training contracts where they can dismiss you if you fail exams or fail them a certain number of times. Others don't, or just say that you have to pay for your own resits but your job is safe unless you have capability issues in the role itself.

Just mentioning to make you aware.

Unless it's changed, ICAEW requires you to already have a training contract with an employer before you can start studying. So I have worked with lots of people who started ACCA on their own as a way to change paths. Most of the people I've worked with who did ICAEW did so as graduate trainees. Hence why I didn't say much about ICAEW as it seems less suitable for your circumstances (unless this rule has changed and I managed to miss it).

Like I said, prove yourself with whichever qualification path you start on and employers will be interested.

Talkinpeece · 06/12/2018 21:23

I did ACCA
when I was training, accountancy degrees were considered utterly useless
but AAT was the gateway qualification

ducksgoquack222 · 06/12/2018 21:25

Wow Logistria Thank You for all that and taking the time to respond, has definitely given me some research to do before making a decision!!

OP posts:
Logistria · 06/12/2018 21:32

One last thought before I shut up and bugger off...

If you're trying to get your toe in the door with an entry level accounts job, a short course on, or experience with, one or more of the main book keeping software packages would help immensely.

Xero, Sage, QuickBooks... If you want to start in a role that involves book keeping then having strong knowledge of how to use book keeping software will make you more marketable. (It will also help your studies take on more meaning).

Logistria · 06/12/2018 21:35

No worries. All the best with whatever you end up doing Smile

MarmiteTermite · 06/12/2018 21:38

I would recommend CIMA Smile

Merryoldgoat · 06/12/2018 21:38

Personally I’d look at the entry/foundation levels of CIMA or ACCA.

I started with the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting which is equivalent to AAT and allows you to progress to the professional qualification.

It’s cheaper, quicker, and more relevant than AAT if you want to work in industry rather than practice.

I’m not a careers adviser - just my experience and how I’ve progressed from bookkeeper to Finance Manager over the years.

PetiteMamaNoel · 06/12/2018 21:42

I started the AAT Level 2 this year in hopes of completing it up to 4 then moving on to ACA. Looks like I could be wasting my time. Also do I g my degree in a useless subject but need to complete it to get a grad role but will most likely get a 2:2 or fail.

Dear me. Sorry for the take over OP.

UncomfortableBadger · 06/12/2018 21:45

Have you thought about financial planning as an alternative to accounting? Still maths-y, spreadsheet-y & logic-y but slightly more creative and people focussed Smile

Even if you don’t want to be a front-line financial planner, there’s a huge shortage of experienced and qualified paraplanners in the industry at the moment & salaries are getting super competitive to reflect this.

The way in is to start as an administrator within a financial planning firm & then work your way up; most firms will offer support with qualifications and memberships.

Have a look at CII/PFS qualifications - the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning is the minimum standard for a proper paraplanner.

Cheby · 06/12/2018 21:47

Sack off AAT. Go straight for the foundation level of ACCA or CIMA. You’ll need to do that anyway if you’re going to progress. You basically saving yourself about 3 years of study.

Talkinpeece · 06/12/2018 21:57

THe trouble with the big qualifications (the CCAB ones) is that they are worthless till you qualify .... students are not allowed to sell their services

whereas AAT let you start earning while learning
and AATs can earn GOOD money in firms and organisations

Logistria · 06/12/2018 22:12

@PetiteMamaNoel it's not a waste of time if it's the right path for you to get where you want to be. Off the top of my head I can think of several ACA or ACCA qualified people I know who did AAT first as their way into it and are now doing brilliant things professionally. It was the right path for them. And you can always modify your path if appropriate.

Guessing from your post you mean you're doing an accountancy degree, but strictly speaking you don't need a graduate role as accountancy offers apprenticeships and training posts for non-graduates. You don't need a degree to be an accountant; you need accountancy qualifications. Once you qualify it doesn't matter if you got a degree and it doesn't matter if it was a first or a 2:2. Just get yourself a training contract and make the most of it.

I don't think you're wasting your time. I know I wasn't suggesting AAT has no value, because I don't believe that to be the case. I and others are merely highlighting that it's one option among many, and a stepping stone to other qualifications. If people aren't aware of that I'm going to share it with them when they're asking.

There's no reason any of us can't make new decisions once we have additional information... Or reaffirm our previous decisions.

Merryoldgoat · 06/12/2018 22:22

@talkinpeece

What do you mean by this?

THe trouble with the big qualifications (the CCAB ones) is that they are worthless till you qualify .... students are not allowed to sell their services

I don’t quite understand...

ACA has a part qualified status and at each level of CIMA is its own stand-alone qualification.

You can’t call yourself ‘qualified’ but otherwise I don’t see the issue. I’m not being combative - I’m genuinely asking as I don’t quite understand what you’re saying.

Unicornsbumhole · 06/12/2018 22:22

Currently studying level 4, started at Level 2 with high hopes of walking into an entry level finance job, just don't get your hopes up, I just about finished level 3 before i was offered the lowest of entry level positions as I had no previous finance experience and every man and his dog are AAT level 2 qualified, it is a good qualification and I'm well on my way to my end goal of ACCA but beware it can be a while before you see a return.
Don't expect to be earning well straight away

Talkinpeece · 06/12/2018 22:25

Merryoldgoat
Maybe they have changed it - I qualified a long time ago.
When I was doing my exams students were not allowed to charge fees under their own names at all
no book keeping, no nothing.
You had to be fully qualified with a practicing cert.
Anything else was a disciplinary offence.

Logistria · 06/12/2018 22:41

THe trouble with the big qualifications (the CCAB ones) is that they are worthless till you qualify .... students are not allowed to sell their services

Interesting perspective.

Worthless apart from being employed throughout your studies, receiving a decent starting salary that grows every time you pass an exam, receiving additional paid leave on top of annual leave to attend courses and exams, having expensive training courses paid for in full, and basically ending up qualified for free, without any debt, and having earned a full wage throughout?

You can offer basic book keeping services to the public without a practising certificate. Isn't that the same as with AAT?

I wouldn't want a medical student to carry out surgery on me on their lonesome - I'd rather have a qualified, experienced surgeon with a team of qualified staff and highly supervised trainee staff. Why would you want accountancy services from a trainee acting alone without adequate experience or supervision?! If they were competent to provide those services they'd be qualified and have a practising certificate. But they don't yet, that's why they're being trained and supervised and examined.

Pesky safeguards. Grin