Another newbie..... [Archive] - AAT Discussion Forums

Scotty12

09-02-05, 01:00

Hi all, Just wanted to introduce myself, just going to start home studying AAT with BPP late in life (36)!. Hoping that I am not going to find it to difficult. Unfortunate thing is that I do not work in an accounts enviroment and hope I am not going to struggle because of this. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. Simon.

Columbia

09-02-05, 01:00

Hi Simon My advice is to read as much as you possibly can on the subject, from personal experience I have found the Osborne books to be more user friendly and informative than the BPP ones. I also purchased a cd rom from Accountancy Aid which covers all the basics and has skill tests built in. Common sense is the main tip I can give, remember that your personal bank statement is the opposite way round to the way you would post items in your ledgers, so don't use it as a basis for remembering what is a credit or a debit! Also remember your pearls as I have pointed out on another e:mail; DR CR P Purchases E Expenses A Assets R Revenue L Liabilities S Sales Drawings are a Debit Entry (it starts with DR) Capital is a Credit Entry (it starts with C) If you can try to remember the "Pearls" you should be able to enter items on the correct side of the Main Ledger and the Trial Balance, which in effect means you are accurately entering everything into the accounts. Like everything else practice makes perfect, but before long it should become second nature. Hope this is of some use, and good luck! ps what environment do you work in, and why the change to accounts? If you don't mind me asking! Tracy

Amanda258

10-02-05, 01:00

Simon I study via home learning and I am doing great. Although I work in accounts (sales ledger and payroll) I would say this helped in foundation but its not helping in intermediate. All the intermediate study is different to what I do at work. I find that with home study, if its something I dont quite understand I keep putting my book down and thinking, I will try again tommorrow!! I think the secreat of home study is keep picking that book up and reading - if it doesnt go in, read it again. Unit 4 book I have read from front to back, THREE times and I have my skills test for the unit this week or begining of next!! Everyone struggles with different things - I know plenty of people that think im thick because unit 4 is suppose to be easy and in some cases its the first unit they teach in some foundation class courses. So just keep reading, take a unit at a time! Logic way would be 1,2,3 then 4, but some people do them in different orders to sit unit 3 exam. You could work on Unit 21,22 and 23 at the same time as units 1,2,3 as the admin units are really just portfolio things and not much to "learn" as most is common sense. I would start the admin units early as you are not working and some of the evidence might be more difficult to get hold off. Well ive rambled enough now - better get off to work!!! (Hope the Unit 4 is NOT in the post today, lol) FAO : Tracy Sorry, I know I am changing the subject, but the Accountacy Aid CD! Which level do you have?What is it like? Are the Skills tests printable or do you do them on screen? Im not sure if to buy this CD or not!! Amanda

Columbia

10-02-05, 01:00

Hi Amanda I bought all 3 levels on 1 CD. Basically the cd has information covering all the units required to pass the exam, so in effect it is like reading the descriptions from a book, then underneath each element there are tests which you do on the screen and the package automatically tells you if you are right or not. The downside I found (other than a mistake in one of his answers!), is that if you are wrong it doesn't point out what exactly is wrong or how to correct the error, and some of the vat elements are rounded up not down, so you often have to change your answer in order for the CD to say it is correct, but that said I have found it to be extremely useful. As for printing out I'm not sure to be honest, and as it pouring of rain outside and my laptops in the car I'll have to get back to you on that one! Tracy

Scotty12

10-02-05, 01:00

Amanda, Tracy, Thanks for the replies. I actually already knew the PEARLS rule from doing a Sageline50 course with learn direct. I too found that so useful when starting. I just could not get my head around Debits & Credit's, but now I think they have sunk in!! I have also just finished my Pitmanâ??s level 1 Bookkeeping and Accounts, so I think the Foundation may be a little easier for me as I have some experience. I have just ordered the Accountancy Aid CD as well, practice makes perfect they say. My wife is an assistant accountant who is just starting to do her CIMA study, so at least I have some help at home as well. At the moment I am just going to start a new job as a Logistics Administrator, I have been in the Warehouse and Stock control for the last 15 years. Also have a little Auditing experience. The reason I decided on accounts was because i had just been made redundant, and i had no idea what I wanted to do, so my wife suggested that I do the Pitmanâ??s course. I really enjoyed it, came away with a first class pass. I would like eventually to have my own business. Simon.

Columbia

11-02-05, 01:00

Hi Simon Well sounds like you've got it all covered really, we'll be coming to you for tips in future! Take care. Tracy

georgiegirl

14-02-05, 01:00

Hey i like that, thats smart thinking, it will really help me. Thanks Georgie Why didn't i think of that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol