[Castleman]

So I have been out of Uni for 2 years now, and it's about time I got a 'real' job with career prospects.

I have been offered a job to train to become an accountant doing the AAT intermediate level in one year and then the AAT professional level (final level) in my second year.

Is this the right level of training for a graduate From on a non accounting backround??

Also they pay is very low (apparently to reflect the training)

Any replies will be greatly helpful,

Thanks

[mosmof]

i have no interest in accounting or anything, but just think, the someone from some family had to be first.. (if you get me)

if this is what you really want to do, do it and be happy - dont live your life trying to make other people bar yourself happy

[Castleman]

Thanks for the reply Mosmof,

But I was more intersted in knowing if the level of training, the qualification and the level of pay is sutible for a graduate of a non accouting backround who wants to become an accountant.

Thanks,

[livefires]

I wouldn't have said that it was the right level for you to be going in at. From what I can gather the AAT is aimed at school leavers looking to get straight into accountancy without doing a degree.

You say you graduated 2 years ago, can I ask what degree classification you got and how many UCAS points your top 3 A levels (or Highers if you're Scottish!) give you? I only ask because the route by which most graduates get into accountancy is through a graduate training scheme and they ask for a 2.1 and have guidelines on the UCAS points.

Don't let the fact that you're from a non-accountancy background stop you from applying for the graduate schemes either, they accept people from all degree backgrounds. I'm a microbiologist by training but am starting the graduate scheme with PwC in September.

[monk_keys]

No this is not appropriate for you. As a graduate you should be looking to do ACA, CA, ACCA with an accountancy firm. Applications start in 2/3 months.

Good luck!

[Castleman]

Hmm...

This does not seem to be good news at all!

I got a degree in Politics 2:1, from the University of Southampton.

before that I got 320 UCAS points from English, Politics and Geography.

So this AAT is wasting my time??

Thanks,

[monk_keys]

It is a waste of time, but on the plus side you are more than qualified to apply for far better paying accountancy jobs with more progression.

[livefires]

Definitely! Wait until the graduate schemes for larger firms re-open for the next intake (it might be worth checking that they aren't open already/still open for this year as I think some of them recruit continuously) and apply to do the ACA, CA or ACCA rather than the AAT.

With a 2.1 and 320 UCAS points you have the qualifications to apply to any of the Big 4 or, if you don't want to work for them, any other accountancy firm with a graduate scheme. As monk_keys says, these are better paid schemes and the qualification offers better long-term prospects than the AAT.

[M1011]

If you join a firms graduate scheme (from any degree background) you can often get ACA training straight away (better than ATT). You'll also expect to start on double that salary. So the offer you have is far from generous.

However it really comes down to you as an individual. If you think you have a shot at getting into a decent size firm and securing an ACA training position, go for it. Better money, better qualification and better experience, it's an easy choice really. If you don't think you're a strong enough candidate right now, then perhaps consider the ATT position for the time being and apply for bigger firms once you have a little bit of experience.

I can't express this strongly enough, you SHOULD NOT feel at any disadvantage because you did not do an accounting degree. It's not a requirement for any of the firms I looked at, and they welcome diversity. They are far more interested in your aptitude (they'll administer tests) and your soft skills (interviews etc). However they will require a 2.1 and 300 ucas from your top three A-levels in general, so you'll struggle if you don't have those requirements.

So ultimately my advise; try to apply to some ACA graduate schemes with top 20 firms and see where that gets you. If you can't get on to one of those, or you don't meet the basic requirements, then perhaps take this AAT position with the intention of building relevant experience to facilitate a future move.

If you're still not sure, just google some of the big names and get a feel for what their graduate schemes offer (PWC, Deloitte, E&Y, KPMG).

(Original post by mosmof)
i have no interest in accounting or anything, but just think, the someone from some family had to be first.. (if you get me)

if this is what you really want to do, do it and be happy - dont live your life trying to make other people bar yourself happy

What on earth are you smoking? Can I have some?

[Castleman]

Thanks for the info livefires and M1011

Hmm....

Probably should of come on here before handing my resignation in at my current job....

[monk_keys]

lol

[Tactical Nuclear Penguin]

Oops!


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[Tokyoround]

(Original post by Castleman)
Thanks for the info livefires and M1011

Hmm....

Probably should of come on here before handing my resignation in at my current job....

Doesn't matter, at least now you'll get some relevant-ish experience to help when interviewing for grad schemes. Keep an eye on the big 4 sites or the likes of GT/BDO/other top 10 and apply when you get chance. Don't worry about leaving the new job if it's soon, do what's best for you, someone out there would love to replace you anyway.

[2late]

(Original post by Castleman)
Thanks for the info livefires and M1011

Hmm....

Probably should of come on here before handing my resignation in at my current job....

To be fair, this shows the lack of research you have done. I wouldn't hire you