To ask if AAT Level 2 is worth it?

[ducksgoquack222]

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?

I suppose it all comes down to what job you actually want though. I have been able to go from admin to an accounts position where I am gradually being given more and more responsibility. Without AAT I would not have got this role and I am now able to learn on the job and progress.
It was worth every penny and every hour for me, but it depends on your reasons for doing it and what you want at the end of it.

As somebody who as worked in Practice, in Industry and in the public sector Alfie is talking utter piffle.

Yup the high paid jobs go to the folks with CCAB qualifications
but the non arrogant ones of those know that the bedrock trial balance work is done by AAT's

AAT is the book keeping / mid range internal reporting qualification.
Those who pass the whole shebang are unlikely to ever be out of work.

Businesses and Firms and the Public sector rely on them.

As another person who has worked in accountancy practice (both qualifying in the big 4 and now running my own small practice) and in industry, I think it really depends on what you want.

AAT is a good bookkeeping qualification to ‘work in accounts’ but I really wouldn’t consider it suitable for being an ‘accountant’.

If you want to be an actual accountant then you need to be looking at ICAEW/ACCA. The qualification is a total different level and enables you do to a lot more.

So actually I think alfie is largely right in terms of serious accountancy roles but that may not be what you want. Certainly ICAEW training was all consuming for a few years and you may not want or be able to commit to that.

Your choice, horses for courses etc.

Can you go straight in to ICAEW without any practical experience? I'm doing p/t degree and thinking of packing it in to go straight in to work as I just can't afford to be a student anymore.

I think everyone is assuming OP wants to walk straight into a high ranking role. Maybe he/she doesn’t. Maybe they would be happy just banging out sole trader/partnership accounts?

Notscrewingup
You can join an accountancy firm as an ICAEW trainee.
Contact the ICAEW and find out who your local training firms are and go talk to them.

Hi, I’m in a similar boat. Just this year started AAT level 2 and not sure whether to continue on to level 3 next year. Can anyone advise how long it takes to complete ACCA course. Also are the exams all computer based like AAT. Thanks all