Hi,
I am currently MAAT and would like to progress my career to chartered status. Due to life circumstances I am unable to work office hours but have worked there previously. Currently running my own client list under AAT licence. If I would like to progress to the chartered status I need to work with a chartered accountant with a practising licence, I tried job posting advertising but had no luck. Any idea from my learned friends would be much appreciated.
Thanking in advance for all replies that contribute to the solution.
Replies (17)
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All chartered accountants in practice have practising (sic) certificates, but that’s not what you need. What you need is an ICAEW training office. You can spot them easily because they are the ones who offer graduate and non-graduate training contracts.
I always though "Chartered" specifically referred to ICAEW/ICAS, and other qualifications, while just as valid, do not carry the same honorific. I may be wrong on that though, happy to be corrected.
I always though "Chartered" specifically referred to ICAEW/ICAS, and other qualifications, while just as valid, do not carry the same honorific. I may be wrong on that though, happy to be corrected.
You’re wrong.
The ‘c’ in CIMA and the first ‘c’ in ACCA both stand for Chartered.
No, you're wrong and Duggimon is right (I think).
A CIMA can be referred to as "Chartered Management Accountant" or "Management Accountant." S/he can't be referred to as a "Chartered Accountant" or just "chartered." Same for ACCA.
That was the position in 1995 or whenever when all this was sorted. I'm not aware it has changed since.
No, you're wrong and Duggimon is right (I think).
A CIMA can be referred to as "Chartered Management Accountant" or "Management Accountant." S/he can't be referred to as a "Chartered Accountant" or just "chartered." Same for ACCA.
That was the position in 1995 or whenever when all this was sorted. I'm not aware it has changed since.
Duggimon did not refer to the use of the term ‘Chartered Accountant’, which, I agree, cannot be used by an ACCA or CIMA.
Duggimon simply referred to ‘Chartered’. Both ACCA and CIMA are Chartered.
The firms, if you are successful in your applications, will take you on and give you approved work experience and put you through the courses of tuition leading up to the exams. How they would deal with you wanting to continue your small practice on the side is another matter. You would need to explain that in your applications and discuss it at interview.
How to find them? Googling “ICAEW training contracts + the name of your local area” should produce a shortlist in no time.
I don't think it's a case of working 'with' a chartered accountant, but a case of working 'for' a chartered accountant.
If you are trying to find a training practice then you might struggle if you can't work office hours?
Does seem a bit daft that someone could run a successful practice as AAT for a few years, but then if they want to improve their own qualification they seemingly have no choice but to scrap their practice.
From reading other replies I think I've understood the OP differently, still unsure exactly what is meant...
In my experience - Being a chartered accountant won't directly change how clients perceive you, or how much they are prepared to pay you for your services, unfortunately.
The way you achieve the above is by providing a good service and being confident enough to charge the clients a suitable fee for the work done.
The ACA qualification will certainly help with this, but not nearly as much as you might think if your goal is ultimately to continue as you already are, but be able to charge a bit more money.
I work with a number of accountancy firms. There are some fully qualifed ACA employees out there on not much more than NMW despite their qual - owing to how useless they are!
Sure OP isn't in this boat, though. Hope not, anyway
It's not how the clients refer to you that matters - it's whether they value what you do.
Sticking 'chartered' on your CV won't change that.