CIMA, bookkeeping and qualification confusion
Hi there,
I feel I need some advice on which route to take towards qualification.
Over the past couple of years I've managed to get a variety of temp Accounts Assistant and AP roles with good companies, without any qualifications whatsoever. This has given me some great experience, but work seems a lot harder to find than it was a few months ago, and I want to progress my career.
I'm drawn towards the CIMA Certificate, but confused about whether AAT might be a better entry point.
At this point I think I want to go on to study CIMA either way, but overall I'm looking for flexibility and mobility.
- If working for someone else, I want to work in commerce & industry rather than practice, however;
- I want the option to go it alone, providing bookkeeping and accounting services to small companies as my skills progress.
- I'm currently UK based, but I will probably move to Ireland at some point and as far as I can tell, AAT isn't recognised there (although of course it offers exemption from CIMA Cert. level).
My current thought is that I should do the CIMA Cert. and in addition the AAT ABC (Level 2 Award in Bookkeeping) and possibly AAT Payroll.
Does this plan seem like it will give me the toolkit I need?
Thanks for your help!
- 650 reads
- login or register to post comments
- Add to a social bookmarking site
Latest questions on 
Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland
I strongly suggest looking them up if you plan on moving to Ireland.
They are a very reputable organisation and are well recognised.
Options
This is a very sensibe question, and you seem to have set realistic targets for self-advancement. The AAT qualification is non unrecognized in ireland, contrary to a previous poster. The ICAI has its own AAT level qualification, but it uses the traditional exam route.
You have answered your own question within your post. The AAT allows you to take modules that are practical and targeted towards the particuar sector you wish to work in. However the UK Payroll module is based on UK Payroll system (not too different to Irish).
Have you considered the ACCA? ACCA has a flexible Certified Accounting Technician program, with routes to the ACCA qualification that is on a par with CIMA for working in Industry, but has the public practice dimension should you choose later on to engage in public practice. ACCA operates in the UK and Ireland, and transition is seamless. The ACCA CAT program will exempt you for what yuu have covered already. In Ireland the ICAI, ACCA and CIMA brands are well recognized and the CPA Ireland is catching up, though this route is very much aimed at persons wishing to work in practice.
It is an interesting career choice, and I wish you well. Read the websites of the various Institites and Associations and pick something that best meets your personal and developmental needs. And, good luck!
Institute of Certified Bookkeepers
If you want to do bookkeeping go to the ICB (www.bookkeepers.org.uk). You can take your examinations in Ireland. The ICB has membership in 74 countries, Ireland is one of them but they do not offer full support there yet.
They also have Payroll qualifications.
If you wanted AAT then I would have thought you would need more than the ABC of bookkkeeping. Probably need their Level 3 as well.