Intermediate, no job, distance?

[JackieP]

<BR>Hi<BR><BR>I'm planning to start AAT at intermediate level in September.<BR><BR>Once of my options is distance learning.<BR><BR>Is that wise in my situation where I do not (despite trying!) have an accounts job?<BR><BR>Is there anybody in my situation who could advise.<BR><BR>My other option is a taught course - this is attractive, as prehaps as fellow students might be able to provide job/experience leads.<BR><BR>I'm in my 40's and changing career direction from IT.<BR><BR>Thanks<BR><BR>Jackie

[milliebagpuss]

Hi Jackie,<BR> <BR> I am currently coming to the end of the Intermediate level, and I still haven't got a job in accounts, neither have I any experience and like you I've been looking but to no avail at the moment.<BR><BR>Which ever way you decide to learn, if it's what you want then go for it. Cos like I keep telling myself, work will turn up eventually.<BR><BR> Good luck.<BR><BR> Naomi

[JackieP]

<BR>Hi Naomi<BR><BR>Thanks for your reply.<BR><BR>I have been to the volunteer bureau this morning and now have two opportunities to follow up.<BR><BR>However today for the first time in months I have seen an IT job I can apply for, so I will give that a go as well.<BR><BR>I'm also finding it very difficult to choose between CIMA & AAT, so I'm going to do a separate post on that.<BR><BR>Jackie

[Dan]

Jackie,<BR><BR>I wish you good luck in your choice but I do believe that AAT is a good starting point especially if you have no previous accounting experience. Then CIMA or CIPFA are good routes to follow in order to specialise in your chosen field of accountancy.<BR><BR>I'm coming to the end of the technician level and I plan to follow CIMA, which is more specialised along the lines of management accounting. But I may take time out from all this studying first to refresh and regroup my options.<BR><BR>Dan

[Paddywack51]

I was in a similar position to you as regards age and experience (or lack of). I studied AAT at my local college using the BPP books. I think that without input from the tutors and help from fellow students it might have been hard going. Several of the students have found jobs with the help of the college. Hope this helps I am just waiting to sit final MFR after completing the rest of Intermediate and Foundation.

[Podhan]

I have been studying AAT for almost 2 years and started at the foundation level. If you have no prior accounts experience, I would not advise starting from the intermediate level. I found foundation quite easy, but necessary as it taught me all the basics. In my opinion, the foundation stage would be ok to do as a correspondence course, but I think input from tutors is very important, especially as the course gets much complex in the intermediate stage. If you were working in accounts, a correspondence course may be suitable, but I fear that with no work experience and no input from tutors, you would find AAT very difficult.

[JackieP]

<BR>Hi Dan<BR><BR>Thanks for the reply - the consensus is that AAT gives the better foundation, but that if you are looking to minimise the time spent then CIMA is the better approach.<BR><BR>Jackie

[JackieP]

<BR>Thanks Podhan & Paddywack51<BR><BR>I think the taught option will be better for me especially whilst I don't have an accounts job.<BR><BR>Jackie<BR><BR>