AAT L4 vs Sixth form

If I wanted to eventually earn ACCA/ACA qualifications, what would be a better option - an AAT Level 4 qualification at a local college (then a job which will support me progressing to Aca/acca)
or
Taking A levels (then university and grad job or a school leavers scheme)

I believe the first option would be quicker and just as good?
What are the drawbacks of either?
Thanks

Reply 1

goldfishes9

The first path you listed means you'll have no student debt and it will likely be quicker, however most places will insist on you having completed level 3 first, which will take around a year in itself (if you've not completed it already of course!). Level 4 will then take around a year and level 7 will take around 3 - 5 years. However, those who complete uni normally have to complete the level 7 afterwards anyway, although they may get exemptions for some of the exams. This route will mean you'll get no student debt and it could be a good idea to find an employer to support your level 4 so you get in some work experience. You'll be able to stand out from other graduates purely based on this.

However, if you take the route of being supported by work whilst doing the qualification, you'll be working a 9-5 everyday alongside studying in your off-hours, which is quite demanding and tiring. You'll miss out on the student debt wonderfully, but will be more attractive to employers. Doing this route, however, can feel quite isolating (speaking as someone who completed A-levels then went on to an accountancy apprenticeship in a fairly small firm) if you're around the standard age for sixth form as you'll see all of your friends go to sixth form and then exciting places for university. Even if you go to a college in person, people there can be mixed ages and only really speak to people in their own firms as they see each other everyday whereas college isn't that often. However, if you're sure that won't bother you, then working your way up the levels is definitely the way to go in my opinion. I've heard coworkers of my dads who work in a large company in finance even say they regret going to university and wish they'd gone down the other route. I'm happy to help in case you have any other questions you think I could answer?

Good luck for whatever you choose!

(edited 4 months ago)

Reply 2

j0361r6

Original post by goldfishes9

The first path you listed means you'll have no student debt and it will likely be quicker, however most places will insist on you having completed level 3 first, which will take around a year in itself (if you've not completed it already of course!). Level 4 will then take around a year and level 7 will take around 3 - 5 years. However, those who complete uni normally have to complete the level 7 afterwards anyway, although they may get exemptions for some of the exams. This route will mean you'll get no student debt and it could be a good idea to find an employer to support your level 4 so you get in some work experience. You'll be able to stand out from other graduates purely based on this.
However, if you take the route of being supported by work whilst doing the qualification, you'll be working a 9-5 everyday alongside studying in your off-hours, which is quite demanding and tiring. You'll miss out on the student debt wonderfully, but will be more attractive to employers. Doing this route, however, can feel quite isolating (speaking as someone who completed A-levels then went on to an accountancy apprenticeship in a fairly small firm) if you're around the standard age for sixth form as you'll see all of your friends go to sixth form and then exciting places for university. Even if you go to a college in person, people there can be mixed ages and only really speak to people in their own firms as they see each other everyday whereas college isn't that often. However, if you're sure that won't bother you, then working your way up the levels is definitely the way to go in my opinion. I've heard coworkers of my dads who work in a large company in finance even say they regret going to university and wish they'd gone down the other route. I'm happy to help in case you have any other questions you think I could answer?
Good luck for whatever you choose!

Thank you for your response. I have done considered all the options and have decided on going to sixth form but still can't decide whether to go to university or do an apprenticeship after A levels. The apprenticeship would be AAT and in many ways would be an obvious choice over university for progressing to chartered accountant status but I feel like going to university would be more 'competitive', or Id be more likely to get a job or get to ACA/ACCA level quicker?? There seems to be a superior aspect of university for employers and high level financial positions. Hopefully I am wrong. Would it be just as easy (or easier?) to go from AAT - Acca/aca rather than Uni and then a grad scheme etc? Thanks

Reply 3

ajj2000

What grades are you getting at GCSE?

You should look at doing A levels and applying for apprenticeships with large accounting firms if you are reasonably able to get the A level grades they tend to look for.

Reply 4

goldfishes9

Original post by j0361r6

It would likely be even easier! Employers will value the fact that you have so much more work experience over graduates who will have only done a placement year. You'd be more likely to have had to grow to be more versatile and complete many different areas of accounting, whereas graduates would undeniably not have any of the skills or understanding that you would have.

Doing an apprenticeship is likely to generally make you more attractive to employers - you'll also have more to talk about in interviews - although I'll admit there is a risk of some employers valuing big name universities over apprenticeships. However, this can be averted by applying to big name firms, such as the Big 4, as they'll have apprenticeships that may be even more competitive than some universities. Although, if you don't get into those it's not the end of the world as there are still other big name firms outside of the big 4.