[batboy113]

Is it possible?? I've just finished my A-levels and am thinking of doing the AAT and then going onto ACCA...just wondering how difficult it would be to get into a top 20 without a degree?? Is it even achievable?! Thanks

[Brotherhood]

(Original post by batboy113)
Is it possible?? I've just finished my A-levels and am thinking of doing the AAT and then going onto ACCA...just wondering how difficult it would be to get into a top 20 without a degree?? Is it even achievable?! Thanks

School Leavers Scheme.

[Bill_Gates]

(Original post by Brotherhood)
School Leavers Scheme.

KABOOM thread over and out.

[batboy113]

What if your A-level grades aren't good enough to get into the school leaver schemes?? Is it worth re-taking them, bumping them up and then applying the following year??

[ForKicks]

(Original post by batboy113)
What if your A-level grades aren't good enough to get into the school leaver schemes?? Is it worth re-taking them, bumping them up and then applying the following year??

Nope, must be done in first take (although allowed module re-takes). For the big ones anyway.

[M1011]

(Original post by Brotherhood)
School Leavers Scheme.

Exactly this - click here OP

(Original post by ForKicks)
Nope, must be done in first take (although allowed module re-takes). For the big ones anyway.

Agreed, no point retaking the year. Also some don't allow module retakes either (Deloitte).

[batboy113]

Ok thanks guys! So what should I do?? Get an apprenticeship with a smaller firm and do AAT with them, then ACCA and start working my way up?! What is a realistic target for me in the future...top 50 perhaps? Top 20 at a stretch?? Will it still be achievable?! Thanks for the help

[M1011]

(Original post by batboy113)
Ok thanks guys! So what should I do?? Get an apprenticeship with a smaller firm and do AAT with them, then ACCA and start working my way up?! What is a realistic target for me in the future...top 50 perhaps? Top 20 at a stretch?? Will it still be achievable?! Thanks for the help

I guess you should apply for apprenticeships wherever your A levels allow. There is no way we can hypothesise based on the information provided on how high you can aim I'm afraid.

[hippobluecampe]

(Original post by batboy113)
Is it possible?? I've just finished my A-levels and am thinking of doing the AAT and then going onto ACCA...just wondering how difficult it would be to get into a top 20 without a degree?? Is it even achievable?! Thanks

ACCA is Masters level anyway, and you can opt into the Oxford Brooke's degree programme.

[Brotherhood]

(Original post by batboy113)
What if your A-level grades aren't good enough to get into the school leaver schemes?? Is it worth re-taking them, bumping them up and then applying the following year??

We don't allow retakes at Deloitte. Not sure about the others but I would start looking lower down the ladder.

[poony]

All the top firms are looking for school leavers with exceptional quality, majority of them have very good A level grades.

[lilac_glitter]

The route I have taken is working as a team PA full time in a top 20 firm while completing my degree part time at a good uni. This has enabled me to have 4 years experience in a blue chip experience with the training and also earning money. I plan to apply this year to some grad schemes with a degree and 4 years experience which I hope will stand out on my CV. Have you thought about junior admin roles I know at least 3 people who have done this way and completed their degree part time or a professional qualification. There are more routes than people on this board realise to getting into different companies.

[laurie93]

My dad is a senior partner at deliotte with no degree and a few alevels. Qualifications aren't everything!! Experience is what counts

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

[ken2]

(Original post by laurie93)
My dad is a senior partner at deliotte with no degree and a few alevels. Qualifications aren't everything!! Experience is what counts

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

Son, you are sorted then!

You know competition for places are tougher than ever, i hate to say this but in this climate you would be lucky to get a job let alone the top 20... its unfortunate, i know.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

[MancStudent098]

AAT then ACCA with a small firm is fine, if you can find one that offers that. You could then apply to larger firms and they may well take you, although by that point you'll probably have realised the errors of your ways and no longer care about working for a big accounting firm anyway.

[zedeneye1]

(Original post by batboy113)
Is it possible?? I've just finished my A-levels and am thinking of doing the AAT and then going onto ACCA...just wondering how difficult it would be to get into a top 20 without a degree?? Is it even achievable?! Thanks

You can get into a top 20 firm without any education at all, as a janitor or something...

[ForKicks]

(Original post by laurie93)
My dad is a senior partner at deliotte with no degree and a few alevels. Qualifications aren't everything!! Experience is what counts

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

True, but your dad entered when the entire education system and working of the job market was different. Now it is very much tickbox, whilst it used to be much more flexible. Once you get the job qualifications don't matter though.

[ForKicks]

(Original post by MancStudent098)
AAT then ACCA with a small firm is fine, if you can find one that offers that. You could then apply to larger firms and they may well take you, although by that point you'll probably have realised the errors of your ways and no longer care about working for a big accounting firm anyway.

I thought large firms want ACA? Is ACCA an equivalent qualification?

[DaneCook]

(Original post by laurie93)
My dad is a senior partner at deliotte with no degree and a few alevels. Qualifications aren't everything!! Experience is what counts

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

Pointless post as your dad is most likely Chartered now, which makes him qualified to do the job.

Nowadays you need certain qualifications to be 'trained' to qualify so to speak.

[M1011]

(Original post by lilac_glitter)
The route I have taken is working as a team PA full time in a top 20 firm while completing my degree part time at a good uni. This has enabled me to have 4 years experience in a blue chip experience with the training and also earning money. I plan to apply this year to some grad schemes with a degree and 4 years experience which I hope will stand out on my CV. Have you thought about junior admin roles I know at least 3 people who have done this way and completed their degree part time or a professional qualification. There are more routes than people on this board realise to getting into different companies.

Interesting route, glad it worked out for you. However please look up the meaning of 'blue chip' before applying it to random companies.

(Original post by laurie93)
My dad is a senior partner at deliotte with no degree and a few alevels. Qualifications aren't everything!! Experience is what counts

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

Different time.

(Original post by ForKicks)
I thought large firms want ACA? Is ACCA an equivalent qualification?

ACA and ACCA are similar, however big firms tend to train employees on the ACA (all the big 4 do ACA). It's the stronger of the two IMO and statistically holders of the ACA earn more on average then holders of the ACCA. However both are strong, generally speaking the reason for training for the ACCA as opposed to the ACA is that for the ACA you have to be training within an approved firm, so many learning in industry do the ACCA.