How important are A levels?
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How important are A levels?Basically I am not sure what i want to do with my life. I am thinking either investment banking, accounting, or something else in finance. I am going to work my ass off to get a first in university(studying accounting), and like my chances of getting it.
However, I do not have great "A levels". Actually, I have none at all, as I finished high school in us and 2 years of univeristy there. I did average in high school because I was a dumb kid back then, but at uni I got A in maths and english in my first year. Would that satisfy most employers requirements for A levels? And really, would it matter anyways what my A levels are if I get a first or 2:1 at uni + some experience?
Also, why does it even mater in this country how you did before university? Most people at such a young age are not responsible nor know what they want to do with their lives!Last edited by mmac900; 20-06-2012 at 21:04. -
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Re: How important are A levels?I will be studying accountancy and finance as of September myself!
It is obviously better to have good levels than bad, but it's not the end of the world if you don't. Some emplyees will look at them some won't. I think A-levels are really just a way to determine which uni you should go to. But this is just my oppinion
I must say my take on A level's may sound a little negative, however this is not really reflected in my grades. I myself am looking at probably getting A*A*A. However I still believe that the degree you get at university will be much more important to your future employers than the grades you achieved when you were a careless 16-18 year old!
Last edited by ezelvyte93; 20-06-2012 at 21:12. -
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Re: How important are A levels?Certainly at the Big 4 your A level (or equivalent) results help to get you through the initial sift of applicants. I'm not sure if this is also the case for smaller accountancy firms but I imagine that any firm experiencing a large number of candidates will use them to sift.
Other than the initial sift though, nobody looked at my A level equivalent results or asked me about them in interview. -
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Re: How important are A levels?Even i do not have "A"wesome grades(Original post by mmac900)
Basically I am not sure what i want to do with my life. I am thinking either investment banking, accounting, or something else in finance. I am going to work my ass off to get a first in university(studying accounting), and like my chances of getting it.
However, I do not have great "A levels". Actually, I have none at all, as I finished high school in us and 2 years of univeristy there. I did average in high school because I was a dumb kid back then, but at uni I got A in maths and english in my first year. Would that satisfy most employers requirements for A levels? And really, would it matter anyways what my A levels are if I get a first or 2:1 at uni + some experience?
Also, why does it even mater in this country how you did before university? Most people at such a young age are not responsible nor know what they want to do with their lives!
Its not only here, grades matter anywhere and everywhere you go. Fortunately for no-good-graders like us there is help at hand in the form of distance, correspondence or online learning. And realistically speaking no one expects everyone to do really good in their grades. Then we would be just a nation of geeks! And, who wants that?
firms nowadays really do not consider only graces while hiring or selecting a potential employee. Its a mix and match of both practical experience and a well known degree or certification. My family advised me to complete my AAT levels with a well known service provider who could provide support and also not be very expensive. I have started off with my levels through distance learning as I find it very convenient. I can work, study and make time to have fun as well. Plus, in two years, I will be a qualified AAT professional! It doesn't get better than this does it? -
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Re: How important are A levels?No they don't. This is entirely wrong. They ask for 300-320 ucas across your top 3 A-levels.(Original post by accountant-future)
The big 4 ask for points, so that adds up your AS scores you dropped and your A level scores
Therefore, it shouldn't be too bad -
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Re: How important are A levels?Oh, I must have read it wrong. That makes me upset.(Original post by M1011)
No they don't. This is entirely wrong. They ask for 300-320 ucas across your top 3 A-levels.
I predict it will prove to be a major disadvantage to your application for school graduate schemes or a year or 2 after completing your degree.
However, after sufficient experience in the field, along with a decent degree (2:1 or above) then the big 4 should take you on irrespective of your A level results. The fact of the matter is, they'll rank A level results (which the vast majority of people who achieved over 300 points, would have done so in non-specific a levels) way below experience and your ACCA/ICA exam results
A levels aren't the 'all or nothing' stage in accountancy - I don't care what anyone says -
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Re: How important are A levels?I entirely agree with you, experience is far more important. However it is pretty much 'all or nothing' when it comes to getting on to the big 4 graduate schemes, unless you're willing to wait a few years and apply as a mature student (which people do, there's 30+ year olds on the scheme I'm joining and plenty in there late 20s).(Original post by accountant-future)
Oh, I must have read it wrong. That makes me upset.
I predict it will prove to be a major disadvantage to your application for school graduate schemes or a year or 2 after completing your degree.
However, after sufficient experience in the field, along with a decent degree (2:1 or above) then the big 4 should take you on irrespective of your A level results. The fact of the matter is, they'll rank A level results (which the vast majority of people who achieved over 300 points, would have done so in non-specific a levels) way below experience and your ACCA/ICA exam results
A levels aren't the 'all or nothing' stage in accountancy - I don't care what anyone says
The only reason they ask for A-levels IMO is to stop the majority of applications from low ranked universities. It's a filter which is more politically correct then saying 'we only hire from these 20 universities' but in large has much the same effect. -
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Re: How important are A levels?So what you're saying is, if you don't achieve the 300 points from the 3 A levels, you'll have to retake them - otherwise, there is currently no chance to be part of the Big 4?(Original post by M1011)
I entirely agree with you, experience is far more important. However it is pretty much 'all or nothing' when it comes to getting on to the big 4 graduate schemes, unless you're willing to wait a few years and apply as a mature student (which people do, there's 30+ year olds on the scheme I'm joining and plenty in there late 20s).
The only reason they ask for A-levels IMO is to stop the majority of applications from low ranked universities. It's a filter which is more politically correct then saying 'we only hire from these 20 universities' but in large has much the same effect. -
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Re: How important are A levels?UCAS points aren't going to stop you 'ever' being part of the big 4. They will prevent you from being part of the big 4 graduate scheme. That said in some of the more obscure areas (public sector internal audit?) I think there are lower UCAS requirements.(Original post by accountant-future)
So what you're saying is, if you don't achieve the 300 points from the 3 A levels, you'll have to retake them - otherwise, there is currently no chance to be part of the Big 4?
As Monk_keys said, you won't be able to retake them for the big 4. -
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Re: How important are A levels?They are. They'll transfer his US grades over to the equivalent A level grades and see what it comes to. If you dont meet the min requirement you cant even send an application in.(Original post by accountant-future)
Oh, I must have read it wrong. That makes me upset.
I predict it will prove to be a major disadvantage to your application for school graduate schemes or a year or 2 after completing your degree.
However, after sufficient experience in the field, along with a decent degree (2:1 or above) then the big 4 should take you on irrespective of your A level results. The fact of the matter is, they'll rank A level results (which the vast majority of people who achieved over 300 points, would have done so in non-specific a levels) way below experience and your ACCA/ICA exam results
A levels aren't the 'all or nothing' stage in accountancy - I don't care what anyone says
edit. if were talking experienced hires then fairplay I doubt they'll care that much. But thats looking 6+ years down the line so I wouldn't worry about it.Last edited by partoftheweekend; 12-07-2012 at 11:30. -
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Re: How important are A levels?I heard that KPMG allows for extenuating circumstances when it comes to A levels, is that true?(Original post by M1011)
I entirely agree with you, experience is far more important. However it is pretty much 'all or nothing' when it comes to getting on to the big 4 graduate schemes, unless you're willing to wait a few years and apply as a mature student (which people do, there's 30+ year olds on the scheme I'm joining and plenty in there late 20s).
The only reason they ask for A-levels IMO is to stop the majority of applications from low ranked universities. It's a filter which is more politically correct then saying 'we only hire from these 20 universities' but in large has much the same effect. -
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Re: How important are A levels?I think all companies put the standard 'extenuating circumstances' blurb, but from what I hear you're not going to get through that by claiming you didn't work hard in sixth form, or your parents divorces, or any of the usual flimsy extenuating circumstance excuses. However if you had cancer or something for a year during your A-levels, that is a serious excuse.(Original post by mmac900)
I heard that KPMG allows for extenuating circumstances when it comes to A levels, is that true?
I'm not a KPMG recruiter though, so if in doubt apply anyway, but the above is my understanding of the situation. -
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Re: How important are A levels?As I said, I didnt do A levels in the UK. And my circumstances are worse then divorce but not as bad as cancer, so i might have a shot lol.(Original post by M1011)
I think all companies put the standard 'extenuating circumstances' blurb, but from what I hear you're not going to get through that by claiming you didn't work hard in sixth form, or your parents divorces, or any of the usual flimsy extenuating circumstance excuses. However if you had cancer or something for a year during your A-levels, that is a serious excuse.
I'm not a KPMG recruiter though, so if in doubt apply anyway, but the above is my understanding of the situation. -
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Re: How important are A levels?Well there's no great harm in trying, so go for it. Worst case scenario is you get told no, then you're no worse off then if you hadn't applied(Original post by mmac900)
As I said, I didnt do A levels in the UK. And my circumstances are worse then divorce but not as bad as cancer, so i might have a shot lol.
It is obviously better to have good levels than bad, but it's not the end of the world if you don't. Some emplyees will look at them some won't. I think A-levels are really just a way to determine which uni you should go to. But this is just my oppinion 
Its not only here, grades matter anywhere and everywhere you go. Fortunately for no-good-graders like us there is help at hand in the form of distance, correspondence or online learning. And realistically speaking no one expects everyone to do really good in their grades. Then we would be just a nation of geeks! And, who wants that? 
