A Level choices too limiting? Economics, Business Studies and Accounting

[Choices2024ALevel]

Ds has a couple of weeks left to make his A Level decision. I'm very much leaving the decision to him but want to provide some gentle guidance and thinking points and I'm a bit concerned about his choices.

He's decided he wants to be an Accountant and has selected Business Studies, Economics and Accounting.

I've already had the discussion with him that some Unis will require Maths for an Accounting/Finance degree so this may limit him - but he's adamant he doesn't want to do Maths (despite it being one of his best subjects, he's just got his early GCSE results and had A). Also spoken about keeping his options open - but in typical teen style he's supremely confident that his future career is mapped out as an Accountant and of course there's no chance he'll ever change his mind 🙄

How are these for choices do you think? Is there far too much overlap which will massively impact his future options? Is Accounting A Level going to put Unis off? Or will these be fine despite the overlap and many Unis won't mind as long as he gets the required grades?

I personally think they are too similar. I also wonder whether accounting is one of those jobs which could be lost to AI. Maybe better to have a wider skill set

Has he read the Russell Group informed choices document.

I agree that he should take Marhs, it seems odd to take subjects around Maths but not Maths. It will probably limit his choices for university.

DH is CIMA qualified of thirty years.
He did maths (a very big step up from GCSE) but an excellent A level to have in general.
He also did economics and a science.
Business studies is thought to be a slightly weaker A level and Uni's don't always like it alongside Economics due to the overlap. DH says accounting A level absolutely not necessary. In fact, he wouldn't advise an accounting degree to become an accountant (although he did one) and favours applicants for interview with sciences, History, Geography etc, those that show a greater range of skills and breadth of thinking.
The idea at 16 is to keep doors open (and choose what you like and importantly, will do best in). You have to play the game. His choices seem very narrow.
Look at the grade and subject requirements for different uni's.

I don’t think maths is an essential for career in accountancy at all , I got a good GCSE but no A Level and have had a 30 year career with a degree in Business Studies and Finance - it’s more about aptitude for numbers than advanced maths skills tbh

I have a feeling that economics and business studies are not always liked as a combination due to the overlap.

Is the college even allowing him to do that combination? It's very unwise.

My DH is a ACA and didn't do maths A Level, he did Business and French at Sheffield and trained at Ernst & Young. I'm one for keeping your options open at that age.

If he wants to be an accountant does he need to go to university? Surely that's an apprenticeship/learn on the job type career 🤔

That combination is far too narrow. If he's doing Economics, he doesn't need Business Studies. And Accounting isn't necessary to become an accountant and quite often it's actively discouraged at A level and degree level by the big accounting firms (I'm ex Big Four accounting - started there as a grad with an Economics & French degree). They'd rather have maths or a science or something considered more traditionally 'academic'.

You don't need accounting at A level or even a degree in it to be an accountant.

I'm an FCA and did BTEC in Buisness and Finance rather than A levels. Then I joined a firm with a 4 year training contract - this would.probably be called an apprenticeship nowadays.

My mates did A levels in traditional subjects including Maths. One friend then completed a 4 year training contract like I did and the other three chose to to a degree and they studied Geography, Physics and Ethics.

Get your son to look at routes to the accounting qualification he wants to achieve - there are a few to name some .....ACA from ICAEW, ICAS in Scotland , ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA.

If you live near any big town with accountancy firms he could call them up and ask if anyone would be happy to meet him and talk about their experiences when qualifying. Id recommend he picks a firm big enough to advertise having an accounting, tax and audit department. Just don't call them.in January they will be rushed off their feet with tax deadlines. Late Feb or March would be a better time.

Have you been through the A-levels required by universities to do the courses he wants to do?

If his choices would allow him to apply for what he wants, and he fully understands the limitations he is putting on himself, I would let him choose.

But I would want to spell it all out for him clearly - so go through the courses and see what they say, plus show him how many more options he would keep open by doing Maths.

I agree with you that Maths is a better choice, but also people do have to have room to make their own choices.

They are way too similar! And too narrow imo.

You don't need, and maybe shouldn't, study Accounting to become an accountant.

Much better to get a broad and rounded education and then apply to an accounting firm and learn and take the exams to become a chartered accountant.

Most of the graduates that become accountants (that I know) have other degrees (economics, biology, history etc)

If AI does make accountants redundant then at least you've got a broad education and can find other work

That’s an awfully narrow combination of subjects with plenty of overlap.

I thought that too

Accounting isn't necessary to become an accountant and quite often it's actively discouraged at A level and degree level by the big accounting firms (I'm ex Big Four accounting - started there as a grad with an Economics & French degree). They'd rather have maths or a science or something considered more traditionally 'academic'.

This. Being a well rounded person with a well recognised 'academic' degree will make him much more interesting to potential employers

Maths A Level will offer him the best choice of universities for what he wants to do. Maths + business studies + another subject.

Maths + economics + another subject would be better.

I'm amazed any 6th form would allow this combination, have you checked with them? It won't get him anywhere, spend a bit of time on uni websites to show him what A levels you need for accountancy degrees.

You’re right!

Agree though Economics is again something you don't need to start at A-level.

As an accountant I'd recommend he picked A Levels he enjoys. Accounting isn't needed for A Level. Nowadays I also wouldn't recommend university either. He'd be better either starting an apprenticeship instead of sixth form/college, or doing A Levels and looking for a traineeship instead. Even with an accounting degree you still have further exams to become qualified and you've got no experience.. the difference between the graduates I've hired and those have done AAT and then chartered quals is huge. Those with experience, in general, are leaps and bounds better in my experience.

I studied Economics at university and did not take an economics A level. It's taught so simplistically at school that some Universities actually prefer if students haven't taken it before.

Maths and Further Maths are MUCH more useful.

When I qualified, Accounting did not exist at A level and was not recommended as a degree to become an accountant.

A god range of subjects and interests will stand him in better stead

When my son was at school you weren’t allowed to take Economics and Business Studies together as too much overlap. Economics has a higher status if you’re choosing one.

He needs to bear in mind that it is very competitive to get onto Big 4 training schemes (it’s a global market) and he will be viewed more favourably with more challenging A levels. If he’s capable of Maths. i’d do Maths.

Accountants are far more than numbers people these days - they need to present, go into clients, lead discussions. I’d think of broadening out to a Humanity or a Science.

My accounting son did Maths, Further Maths, Economics and History and has a great career.

Im an accountant 12 years big 4 and another 11 with a mid tier big firm. I recruit for a specialist area.. I did Maths and English plus a MFL.

For recruiting i do appreciate maths a level. I'm also a fan of arts students as being highly literate. I'm happy with any a level choices but those 3 your son wants to do are all the same to me

He would do better to choose one of those (economics would be good) and maths and an academic subject he enjoys.

I really don't find accountancy grads to be any different from any other graduate. It makes someone very same same. I am generally more enthused by someone with a non accounting background who has done relevant work experience from a young age. I can't stress the importance of work experience and really finding out a lot about my firm, what we actually do and the issues which affects us.

I'm currently advising my friends children who are your ds's age to think very hard about the impact of AI on their job choices. We are expecting AI to remove a large proportion of accounting jobs in the future.