[Beksw]

Hi Im coming up to picking my a levels and I want to become an accountant. I was thinking of taking maths, computing, English and chemistry. I am staying on in sixth form and they do not have an accountancy course. I was just wondering would these subjects be good enough to get me into university and into an accountancy job? X

[monk_keys]

These are all excellent subjects. Bear in mind you give yourself a better chance of high grades if you pick subjects that you will actually enjoy and good grades are as important as relevant A-levels. Secondly maths A-level is beyond what you will need for accountancy so if you weren't overly keen on it you could do something a bit 'lighter' like economics.

I did history, law and politics :/

[ForKicks]

Good subjects, good luck

[Jack McGill]

Those subjects are fine for accountancy, just do what you like though as accountacy is no subject specific, rather its important that you get good grades.

[Industrious Orca]

You should be aiming for at least BBB from your A levels (if not a couple of As or so) to keep your options open to the big 4 and smaller accountancies, so take the A levels that you will enjoy and do best in. As others have said, accountancy is not subject specific so any A levels and degree will be fine.

[HeyyImRyan]

Unless you enjoy computing, do not take it...trust me.
You could also maybe take Economics to fit in nicely instead of computing/chem (Unless you like them of course, then you should take them!)


A tip for the future too, as you say 'get in to university', it may be better to join one of the big four's school leaver's programs instead of independently going to university. Some of these involve a university degree anyways, but you have the benefit of getting it paid for, being paid while you do it, and having a job at the end of it (£45,000pa when you complete the degree and ACCA exams!). That way you get a degree without the huge debts usually associated with uni, and you also have a job, really important considering the amount of unemployed graduates these days!

[Id and Ego seek]

Yes.

Is that English Literature or Language? Just wondering - it doesn't change anything if it's one or the other.

[Beksw]

Thanks for all the replies, they have been really helpful. The English is English literature. Do u think these subjects are hard? And will I be able to cope with them?

[Tokyoround]

(Original post by Beksw)
Thanks for all the replies, they have been really helpful. The English is English literature. Do u think these subjects are hard? And will I be able to cope with them?

Chemistry is quite tough.

[monk_keys]

Yes, one thing they don't really tell you is that a-levels were not created equal. I got the impression that maths was tough as well though I didn't take it.

[HeyyImRyan]

(Original post by Beksw)
Thanks for all the replies, they have been really helpful. The English is English literature. Do u think these subjects are hard? And will I be able to cope with them?

Don't take computing unless you actually already have a strong grasp of CSS and programming languages, otherwise you will really struggle - especially with a nearly three hour exam with questions asking you to write computer coding for various programs and functions.

[LickOfPaint]

It's great that you know you want to go into accountancy.
I wish I'd known exactly where I wanted to go back when I was in A Levels.
It's only now that I'm coming to end of my degree that I know where I want to go and what I need to do.

One of my friends is currently on placement with http://www.sjdaccountancy.com/. They're always looking for people to do work experience placements and internships. So you could always give them a call once you've finished your A Levels.

[A.A.T.]

Learn Accounting Podcasts from Prof. Accounting.

[noorul87]

(Original post by HeyyImRyan)
Unless you enjoy computing, do not take it...trust me.
You could also maybe take Economics to fit in nicely instead of computing/chem (Unless you like them of course, then you should take them!)


A tip for the future too, as you say 'get in to university', it may be better to join one of the big four's school leaver's programs instead of independently going to university. Some of these involve a university degree anyways, but you have the benefit of getting it paid for, being paid while you do it, and having a job at the end of it (£45,000pa when you complete the degree and ACCA exams!). That way you get a degree without the huge debts usually associated with uni, and you also have a job, really important considering the amount of unemployed graduates these days!

A lot of competition to get into these school leavers programmes? and is it better to do this rather than go university? Thnx

[HeyyImRyan]

(Original post by noorul87)
A lot of competition to get into these school leavers programmes? and is it better to do this rather than go university? Thnx

They're pretty competitive yes, not as competitive as getting into Oxbridge/LSE/UCL/Imperial/Warwick of course, but pretty competitive grades needed which would be equivalent to getting into universities below this top six

Definitely achievable if you show passion for accounting though!

[Beksw]

Thanks everyone.. What is involved in English literature and computing? And are they hard?

[jonesyblue87]

I did Accounting & Finance at uni and in the first and second years, I had to do Quantitative Methods and Advanced QM which is basically pure maths! I didn't do maths A-level and I felt that I had to work much harder on that module just to keep up! It really depends on the core modules at your uni.

Do what you enjoy as has been said. The grades count more than what they are in (for accounting) so pick what you are good at! Chemistry is ridiculously hard..I'd steer clear of that personally!

[noorul87]

To become a chartered accountant, are these A-level subjects good enough:

BTEC Diploma in Business
ICT
Accounting
?

And what are the starting salaries like for chartered accountants in North-west England and after a bit of experience?

Thnx

[member961189]

(Original post by Beksw)
Hi Im coming up to picking my a levels and I want to become an accountant. I was thinking of taking maths, computing, English and chemistry. I am staying on in sixth form and they do not have an accountancy course. I was just wondering would these subjects be good enough to get me into university and into an accountancy job? X

If I wanted to study accountancy at a top ranking university, I would study:

A level Business Studies
A level Information Technology
A level English Literature
A level Mathematics

This is just my personal opinion however, the choice is yours and there are many options available that would get you into accountancy so I wouldn't worry but I would say that A level mathematics is a must.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[member961189]

(Original post by BobbyBurke)
If I wanted to study accountancy at a top ranking university, I would study:

A level Business Studies
A level Information Technology
A level English Literature
A level Mathematics

This is just my personal opinion however, the choice is yours and there are many options available that would get you into accountancy so I wouldn't worry but I would say that A level mathematics is a must.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Correction: Mathematics isn't a must if you are studying A level economics.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App