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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https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=AAT+practising+certificate+Requirement...
The AAT website would probably be the place to start.
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]."
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..........
The AAT now put their practicing certificates on the back of cereal packs, for members to cut out.
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
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.
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?
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
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.
Err, do you mind? I have one and took it as my preferred route as ACCA were such shysters.
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
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.