AAT practising certificate

Requirements?

Didn't find your answer?

Afternoon everyone.

Hope there's been some nice Easter/bank holiday weekends for you all!

You'll see from my last post that I'm currently (almost finished) the first year of AAT. I've been working in accounts for 6 years in both practice and industry and finally gave myself the kick up the bum to start the route of becoming qualified.

On that note, I don't know whether when I eventually finish I'll want to potentially start a bit of part time self employed work whilst still remaining in employment. I understand every accountancy body has different requirements but has anyone had experience of gaining a practising certificate with AAT? I've been reading a few posts and have noticed that, especially with ACCA for example, people seem to be finishing the exams to find they don't have specific relevant experience for the practising certificate. If self employment is something I do decide to end up doing eventually I just wanted to make sure I was doing everything necessary leading up to MIP status that they require. Does anyone have any experience/advice to share?

Appreciate any and all insight! Thanks.

Replies (20)

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By Accountant A
17th Apr 2017 16:10

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=AAT+practising+certificate+Requirement...

The AAT website would probably be the place to start.

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Replying to Accountant A:
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By matchbox
17th Apr 2017 16:30

Hi. Thank you for the link. I did look on the AAT website but other than what you can do with the certificate once you've got it I couldn't see much on what their criteria is for getting one?

I don't actually have a computer at the minute so having to search on my phone isn't ideal, I might have just missed the right page. I can see on the ACCA site for example that you need a certain amount of years experience in an approved practice, but can't find the equivalent info on AAT. Thank you though.

Thanks (1)
Replying to matchbox:
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By Accountant A
17th Apr 2017 17:56

matchbox wrote:

Hi. Thank you for the link. I did look on the AAT website but other than what you can do with the certificate once you've got it I couldn't see much on what their criteria is for getting one?

Why not just ring them and ask?

"If you have any questions about becoming a licensed member, speak to one of our helpful advisors on +44(0)20 3735 2434. Our lines are open Monday to Thursday 09.00-20.00 and Friday 09.00-17.00 UK time. Or you can email us at [email protected]."

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Replying to Accountant A:
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By matchbox
17th Apr 2017 19:38

I emailed them on Friday, I probably should have mentioned that at the start. With it being a bank holiday I assumed I wouldn't get a response for a few days, so I thought I'd ask for anyone else's experiences. Or see if people were happy to share their stories. Like I said I'd seen some ACCA stories where people were left realising they hadn't fulfilled the criteria even after all the exams.

I was only seeing what people's views or experiences were. I didn't see any harm in that?

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Replying to matchbox:
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By Mr_awol
18th Apr 2017 09:54

Why keep referring to ACCA rules? It's a different club, so different requirements. Some may be more relaxed, others might be more awkward (depending on your particular circumstances) so just focus on the one you actually intend on joining..........

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Replying to Mr_awol:
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By matchbox
18th Apr 2017 10:45

I understand it's a different 'club' and my original query was that I couldn't find where the requirements for AAT actually were. Hence my question about others' experiences.

The only reason I refer to ACCA is because I've read plenty of horror stories about applying for a practise certificate for people to find out they hadn't satisfied criteria. Having read those, it's the only reason I'm looking into AAT requirements now rather than when I've finished.

I was only asking if people had any advice to share. You'll see above I've contacted AAT directly, but I didn't see the harm in asking if anyone had any tips or hiccups when doing theirs.

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By Rweaver
17th Apr 2017 16:15

The AAT now put their practicing certificates on the back of cereal packs, for members to cut out.

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Replying to Rweaver:
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By matchbox
17th Apr 2017 16:27

I take it that it's not really held in high regard?

Thanks (1)
Replying to matchbox:
By mrme89
17th Apr 2017 20:56

Not at all.

The standard of questions asked on the AAT forums, in the main, are embarrassing.
There are, however, a handful of knowledgable regulars who may be able to help you:
https://forums.aat.org.uk

Thanks (1)
Replying to mrme89:
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By matchbox
17th Apr 2017 21:33

Thanks for your response. I didn't realise it had such a low opinion from others.

I plan to do CIMA after AAT and (CIMA permitting, I know there are usually stipulations with this kind of thing) maybe start a part time business alongside employment while studying for CIMA. It seemed an ideal option rather than waiting to finish CIMA and then starting up. If AAT isn't ideal perhaps it's worth waiting until I've finished CIMA and going from there.

Thanks (1)
Replying to matchbox:
By mrme89
17th Apr 2017 21:45

To clarify, generally, your clients won't care about your qualification as long as you can do the job. They won't care if you are an AAT, CIMA or both.

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Replying to mrme89:
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By matchbox
17th Apr 2017 22:09

When I was working in practice I did notice that actually. Sort of seems a bit pointless sometimes doesn't it? But I was under the impression that whilst being a student of CIMA I can't practice unless I have a practising certificate from another body. Unless I'm completely incorrect (?) I thought it was either gain a practising certificate from AAT and study CIMA, or wait until I'd finished CIMA entirely.

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Replying to matchbox:
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By Mr_awol
18th Apr 2017 10:06

Why do CIMA at all if you're planning to work in practice?

Surely ACCA (with which you were earlier obsessed but now seem to have discarded) would be a better fit - or if you're feeling really energetic, go back into employment and try and find an ICAEW training position?

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Replying to Mr_awol:
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By matchbox
18th Apr 2017 10:50

Because I'm only planning on (eventually) doing part time practice work outside of my usual employment, which is industry rather than practice. CIMA seems a better fit for the role I do 40 hours a week. The goal isn't to start up on my own and build it up enough to leave employment. I'll just be doing it 'on the side' I suppose.

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Replying to mrme89:
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By Mr_awol
18th Apr 2017 10:03

mrme89 wrote:

Not at all.

The standard of questions asked on the AAT forums, in the main, are embarrassing.

Whereas here.......................

https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/dla-on-balance-sheet

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Replying to Mr_awol:
By mrme89
18th Apr 2017 10:31

Mr_awol wrote:

mrme89 wrote:

Not at all.

The standard of questions asked on the AAT forums, in the main, are embarrassing.

Whereas here.......................

https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/dla-on-balance-sheet

The link you provide is someone doing their own accounts.

Those on the AAT forums are holding themselves out to be professional accountants, but most are woefully short of the mark.

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Replying to Rweaver:
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By rockallj
20th Apr 2017 13:36

Err, do you mind? I have one and took it as my preferred route as ACCA were such shysters.

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By Fran001
18th Apr 2017 15:10

I agree AAT is not the clearest, I got my license last month, and did feel like I was going round in circles at times. Obviously you can't practice without a certificate but AAT need PII in place first, which of course will be a waste if they don't approve the license! The administrators didn't seem to get that!

If you have valid relevant experience, you list this on the very long application form for everything you want to go on your license, they review and make a decision.

When I called them they just directed me to the website, so I did the application and it was accepted after a couple of revisions.

Be warned the application form is not an editable PDF download so you have to hand write and scan to email back, unless you have better Adobe skills than I ;-)

From what you said in your opening post you should be more than ok to apply for the license after exams completed.

Hope that helps

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Replying to Fran001:
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By matchbox
18th Apr 2017 16:52

Thanks Fran, I appreciate the response.

I've found AAT to not have the clearest requirements, too. They emailed me back today though with a PDF explaining the process. So perhaps that why I couldn't see much on their website.

Once again, thanks for taking the time to respond. I often worry about things that aren't even necessary yet and end up having to having in advance a plan A, B, C etc. Maybe time to take a chill pill haha :)

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David Ballantyne - Director at Ballantyne Accountants Ltd
By djballantyne
21st Apr 2017 21:32

The AAT will only give you a practising certificate in skills in which you are experienced. However, if you carry out unpaid work in skills in which you are not experienced and then provide them with the evidence of this, they will then add this to your authorised skills in your practising certificate. I believe that six months experience is the minimum they would require.

If you have a practising certificate with AAT, CIMA will accept this as adequate for their purposes and will not expect you to have a practising certificate with them also, unlike ACCA.

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