Once you've successfully completed the AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting you can go on to study chartered accountancy. This is an extremely popular route: a third of all AAT students go on to chartered studies.
Chartered status supports a wide range of managerial finance roles across every sector.
The AAT fast track route to chartered status
All of the UK's chartered accountancy bodies offer AAT full members (MAAT) and fellow members (FMAAT) generous exemptions and a fast track route to chartered status. This fast track allows non-graduates to achieve chartered status more quickly than by following the university path.
Find out more about chartered exemptions via the links below:
- ACCA Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
- CIMA Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
- CIPFA Chartered Institute of Public and Finance Accountancy
- ICAEW Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Why become a chartered accountant?
Chartered accountants offer financial advice, audit records, manage finance systems and budgets. They play a strategic role by providing professional advice aimed at maximising profitability for their employer.
As a chartered accountant you'll build on the technical knowledge, professional skills and practical experience you gained when completing your AAT Accounting Qualifications, increasing your value to employers.
Which employers train their staff to chartered level?
Although the majority of training opportunities for chartered accountants are in public practice, more and more employers are offering training contracts for chartered status.
- Public practice: international accounting organisations or smaller accountancy firms, known as small and medium practices (SMPs) - providing a variety of accounting and business services to clients.
- Industry and commerce: major commercial companies, such as those in the manufacturing, retail and telecoms industries.
- Public sector: local and central government, educational institutions, charities and not-for-profit organisations. Historically, the public sector has not been a big recruiter/trainer of chartered accountants, but this has increased in recent years.
Become an AAT full member (MAAT)
Did you know that you can perform many of the same accounting tasks as a chartered accountant by becoming an AAT full member?
As an AAT full member, you can perform a wide range of tasks and enjoy excellent job opportunities. You can even apply for a licence to run your own business as an AAT Licensed Accountant or Bookkeeper. You'll be unable to sign off an auditor's report, but you can sign off the accounts for companies up to the audit threshold, which most UK businesses do not exceed.
You can apply to become an AAT full member after completing the AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting. Once approved, you'll benefit from global recognition, a range of membership benefits and use of the designatory letters MAAT after your name.