Anyone done an accounts course?

[Frankie]

I cant decide which one to do through work

 

[CareBear]

AAT is a good course

 

[AnnaHughes]

what are work offering?

if you want to make a career out of it, dont do AAT as thats just basic.do CIMA, the basic level of cima gives you a certificate in business accounting, is eqivalent to AAT, but easier. its 5 computer based modules which you can do at any time.

there is then 3 more levels which once complete lead you to be a qualified management accountant

 

[Ganton]

Like Anna is suggesting, it depends what your role at work is (and what they're offering).

AAT is a good course covering all the basics, so is useful for bookkeepers. If you don't have a degree, it is also used as a stepping stone to ACA or ACCA, which are both valuable courses for practising accountants.

CIMA would be the most appropriate for management accountants, as it puts more emphasis on business management, and not so much on international accounting and financial reporting.

 

[Frankie]

I have a degree in building surveying and im working in Finance for the YMCA which involves housing, theyve asked me to look for various courses to help me progress the finance director above me is a management accountant so do you think a CIMA would be better?

 

[Ganton]

I work in practice and am ACA qualified, so don't have personal experience of the management side. However, I have clients who have management accountants that are ACA/ACCA qualified and they get by very well.

Other than knowing that CIMA is the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, I don't know much about the qualification. It sounds like Anna knows more about CIMA so perhaps she could advise if it would be appropriate.

Sorry I can't give a definite answer on this one. The courses are expensive and can take up to 3 years, so I wouldn't want to lead you down the wrong path.

Good luck with whichever route you take.

 

[Linzi]

I personally think since you have some experience maybe ACCA is a better qualification for you than CIMA. I am AAT qualified & I'm starting CIMA soon, but I kind of wish I'd chosen ACCA.

I dont know an awful lot about any, it depends on what experience & qualifications you currently have

x

 

[Ganton]

It might be worth having a good look around the CIMA website. Obviously they're trying to promote their course, but they have a big section explaining how CIMA is different to other qualifications, so you decide if it fits what you'd be looking for.

 

[AnnaHughes]

sorry - i was a bit vague yesterday - i was typing one handed with a sleeping baby on me!

I am doing CIMA as I work for a private company and i just do the accounts for one of their sites. It is my understanding that ACCA is better for if you want to be a qualified accountant and work in an accounts practice etc, and that CIMA is the preferred route if you are working in the private sector.

However, as someone else suggested, it may be worth looking on the CIMA/ACCA and ICAEW websites to get a better flavour for what they offer


Maybe you could speak to your finance director as they should know which will fit better in the business you work in.

Also, like has been said, these can take a long time to complete and are quite costly, i would ask your employer what they are prepared to pay for. FI, there is usually a yearly subscription, books, exams etc. on top of that, for more of the advanced courses there are revisions sessions but these can be up to £1000 per module. If your company is only willing to pay for exams and subscriptions, then you need to think about the other costs that you maybe expected to pick up.

Hope that helped!

If i can think of anything else, i will let you know

 

[Charlotteee]

Im near the end of AAT and its great, gonna do CIMA after it

It all depends on your qualifications at the minute, cos you may have some exemptions xx