I'm Lost What Level to Study.....

[CHMTO2]

Hoping I might get some advice here! So I am early 40s with two children (secondary age) and have got to the point where I feel like I want to achieve some qualifications that I probably should have done when I was much younger!
I have a decent job (well in that it looks good on paper, not quite as glamorous as it seems), I am a Director of a small business, but don't know if it is what I want to do forever! I am responsible for managing all aspects of the business (small team), but my academic qualifications stopped as GCSE's! I can't decide what level to go in and study at! Theoretically using experience I could maybe do a CMI level 5 in business management, but having not studied for a long time, I wonder if I should start with level 3, or is that just a waste of time? Alternatively could go down the AAT route to progress into more financial qualifications. Anyone with any experience of going back to study or either of the above, I would welcome your thoughts... I am currently just bouncing around with loads of ideas and making zero progress! A level 3 would enable me to study for free since I haven't achieved one before. :)

Watching with interest to see what advice comes through. I'm late 30s and in a similar position to you.
I'm looking at ACCA qualifications but not sure whether to do CAT (Certified Accounts Technician) which takes 1-2 years or just do full ACCA course which is 5+ years. I feel as though my kids (secondary age) need me more than ever these days with their own exams. So, I'm still swithering on whether to hold off for another few years and try studying when I can focus properly. But I also realise that in reality, it will be something else in the way by then.

I'm lucky as my employer will pay for whatever I want to study so I don't want to miss a great opportunity.

I would do the level 3. It's free and it gets you back into study mode after some time out. The jump from gcse to level 5 will be quite high regardless of experience. I'm a uni lecturer and get mature students struggling at level 4 even after an Access course.

If you do well you could do level 5 after if you want.

I'm with @CormorantStrikesBack that the level 3 might be better. It will enable you to consolidate and get you in the groove for serious study. I started ACCA when I was 38 but I had studied before, I had a BA Econ. So I knew how to 'read' a question.