ACA Vs Finance degree

I am currently in year 12 at sixth form and I am considering going straight into ACA after i finish my schooling in year 13. I was thinking of doing this over a degree for a number of reasons:

1. I have spoken to career advisers, friends and fmaily etc and they all suggest that a more vocational certificate such ACA would mean so much more than a degree in the appropriate field.

2. Living in London I will start on a reasonable salary for just leaving school, instead of spending three years of my life getting into debt.

I have a couple of family friends working in the accountancy field already for the big 4 and they believe ACA means more also.

Well if anyone could help me out i would be gratefu; :smile:

Reply 1

comic_book_guy

Unless its changed and Ive been left completely unaware, I dont think you can go straight into the ACA after school.

You either go to uni, get a degree and jump into an ACA graduate scheme afterwards, or if you dont want to go to uni you do the AAT and when youve passed that you go on to the ACA.

Reply 2

Mos Def

AAT --> ACA

None the less, narb and others have advised me on this forum that employees look for a 'well rounded' applicant, and that roudedness can only occur with a uni grad, compared to someone who didn't attend uni. I'm sure not going to uni will hurt some of your personal attributes that were going to be matured at uni.

Reply 3

Illusionary

comic_book_guy

There's no requirement to have a degree to study for the ACA, though it is the most common entry route, AFAIK: http://www.icaew.com/index.cfm?route=150463

A First or 2:1 or its equivalent in your first degree in any subject if you choose to go to university (some organisations will accept a 2:2).

Reply 4

comic_book_guy

Oh right....Does that mean you can go straight from A-Levels into the ACA? In theory anyways....I dont know if anywhere actually does or would offer that.

Or that if you choose to go to university bit refer to choosing between uni and the AAT?

Reply 5

Mos Def

I am pretty sure you still need to do the AAT before you can get onto the ACA, otherwise the AAT'ers would be wasting a whole year lol.

Reply 6

Wstroud

1.look at PwC headstart - its straight out of high-school and into a big four firm.

2.If you go to Uni - do what you are interested in, firms will take you on with pretty much any degree, just make sure that you get a 2:1.

3.Have you thought about taking a gap year - 16/17 is pretty young to be making long-term career decisions and taking a year out will give you an insight into the professional world and still leave the door open for university.

Reply 7

ma2k5

What if you decide accountancy isn't for you? What if you end up having no interest and start faliing exams etc? University is a good way to develop yourself and think better about what you really want to do. Their is no rush, not to mention AAT-->ACA is extremly boring work!

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