How to get a first job in accounting only starting with ACCA, is it enough?

How to get a first job in accounting only...

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I have a 1st class Degree in design and very poor A-levels and GCSEs. Ive recently started studding ACCA and have encountered a problem.

I'm looking at job requirements for Account Assistant jobs. Im assuming that an Accounts Assistant role would be an entry level position that would allow me to gain the three years work experience needed to be ACCA qualified.
 
But looking over whats required to do an Accounts Assistant job role is looks very 'bookkeeper' biased. And from what ive seen so far from ACCA and glancing at the syllabus it doesn't cover much bookkeeping. Other qualifications like AAT seem to be far more applicable to these type of jobs. 
 
Im wondering how I get that all important job studying just ACCA. Did I make a mistake, should I have done AAT first? Or should I just learn some bookkeeping on the side and keep applying. Or as I get further into ACCA will it all start to come together.
 
I just dont feel ready for the marketplace at the moment. I am only on f1 tho but want some solid advice on how to break in and get that all important experience!!

Replies (12)

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By tom123
10th Jan 2013 09:06

Solid bookkeeping will pay you back

Hi

A year or so of solid bookkeeping will pay you back, whether you go into industry or practice.

You will really see how things are put together in the accounting systems. I understand your frustrations, but it is better to walk before you can run,

 

 

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Replying to lionofludesch:
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By mrdmorrison
10th Jan 2013 11:12

So drop acca?

tom123 wrote:

Hi

A year or so of solid bookkeeping will pay you back, whether you go into industry or practice.

You will really see how things are put together in the accounting systems. I understand your frustrations, but it is better to walk before you can run,

 

 

 

So is your advice to drop ACCA and go study AAT or just learn some bookkeeping

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By tom123
10th Jan 2013 12:14

Stick with ACCA

I would stick with ACCA, combine it with whatever accounts work you are able to obtain, and look to move on once you have a few initial exam passes under your belt.

Nothing wrong with AAT (I did the final level after my university degree), and you may wish to consider doing it first if you are looking to gain confidence in exam passes whilst studying etc.

How are you studying at present? self funding from books, or is an employer funding the courses?

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Replying to tom123:
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By mrdmorrison
10th Jan 2013 12:59

Accounts assistant
I'm self funding through Kaplan books. I'm only on f1 so I don't know how sustainable this way of learning is.

I'm currently searching for accounts assistant jobs. Do you think this level is too advanced for my current knowledge. If so where should I be pitching? What jobs should I be looking at? Should I be learning anything else other than acca?

I'm expecting a pay drop. But I want to minimise the long term impact of this and progress quickly. I'm currently leavening a 30k retail manager role to move into accounts

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By Broadstairsgirl
10th Jan 2013 13:19

More haste less speed?

I did my AAT prior to my ACCA when I decided to change career having been a teacher.  Currently, my assistant is battling through the early stages of ACCA without having studied AAT - she is finding the solitary study route very difficult and despite having worked in finance for 5 years cannot get to grips with some of the basic concepts which are calculated automatically by our fantastic finance system.  I would whole-heartedly recommend going to study AAT at your local FE college - you will have a tutor available to help with any questions and passing your AAT exempts you from the early stages of ACCA exams.  It may seem like a bit of a diversion but I can honestly say that the solid skills I learned in AAT helped me succeed with my ACCA exams. Self-studying is difficult.  Whilst I studied AAT at an evening class, I worked in accounts payable, accounts receivable and as a management accounts assistant and gained valuable entry level experience on about £18-22k pa.  I was able to get a feel for accountancy and was able to get an assistant accountant's role part way through my ACCA study.

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By mrdmorrison
10th Jan 2013 23:03

AAT vs ACCA

It just seams pointless doing AAT when I can go straight into ACCA. Wouldnt I learn everything needed by just doing ACCA?

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Replying to mrdmorrison:
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By szorsi
25th Nov 2017 00:08

Hi,
just came across this and was wondering what you did at the end.. I am in the exact same position and not sure where to start, AAT or ACCA with no relevant experience..

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Replying to szorsi:
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By andy.partridge
25th Nov 2017 10:18

szorsi wrote:

Hi,
just came across this and was wondering what you did at the end..

At the end they died, just like you and I will. Why don't you start a new thread?

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Replying to andy.partridge:
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By szorsi
25th Nov 2017 11:27

Might do that, thanks :)

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By Broadstairsgirl
11th Jan 2013 18:23

Possibly

ACCA brushes over some of the detail - it's your call.  I can only advise from experience.

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By mrdmorrison
11th Jan 2013 23:07

AAT it is

I think im going to switch from ACCA and begin studying the AAT with the hope this will be a quicker route into accounts and I can then get sponsorship for ACCA later.

Im only 26 but feel like im not making enough progress in life so I want to start putting some real focus into this..

I work full time and im going to commit 20-25 hours per week into studying AAT.... do you think with this amount of study time I could complete levels 2-4 in one year? A big call I know, but would it be possible or un-realistic?  

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By occca
12th Jan 2013 09:04

The problem is.....

You are competing with apprentices who will have the same accounts experience as you - none - but can be paid an apprentice wage while they learn, making it a lot easier for companies to spend time training.  Make sure your CV is strong on what other skills you have that you can offer to a prospective employer.

I wouldn't be surprised if you had to take a 50% pay cut initially to get where you want to be

AAT would be a good start and will give you the basics to build on, I think you will struggle to do it all in 1 year though.   I worked full time while I studied ACCA and it is hard work.

There are loads of people out there looking for similar roles to you.  We recently advertised for an apprentice and had over 50 replies - many were people your age looking to get into accounts

Good luck with whatever route you decide on

 

 

 

 

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