Hello. Thank you all for the advice. Thought I'd provide an update. I recently received and accepted an offer of a job as an assistant management accountant with a public sector body. They've placed me on a CIMA apprenticeship & I even received a payrise. It all worked out in the end. Thanks again!
With what you’ve passed and are exempt you should be able to get AAT without (many) more exams.
Get it.
Then go temping for a while. There’s always demand for AAT temps in big company accounting teams.
Once youve got a year of this under your belt then decide on more exams / what route etc.
Good luck
Thank you so much for the advice. I considered this, but I was concerned as to whether it would allow me to overcome the experience issue. Could employers respond favourably to someone who's completed the AAT but is lacking in terms of direct accounts experience? Thanks again.
1) Leaving your current job without a new one to go to is a Bad Move. Whatever the reasons, it will play badly with recruiters and potential employers.
2) You don't explain about your ACA qualification - are you still studying? it sounds like you are out of your training contract and have failed or abandoned ACA. If you can't complete ACA, what makes you believe you can pass CIMA?
3) Have you asked your current employer about gaining wider experience? Most will attempt to accommodate such requests.
1. I accept this, but leaving was the right decision for me. I was quite unhappy with the role from the outset, but decided to give it six months before making any decisions. I am happy to discuss my reasons with recruiters/hiring managers, and have accepted that it may preclude me from some roles.
2. I failed my last exam (Law) because, frankly, I was quite miserable with my position & I couldn't bring myself to do the revision after work. I scored high marks in four of the five exams I passed, I have a strong higher education record, and I am confident that I can pass the exams associated with any professional qualifications. I am leaning towards CIMA because it's related to the role I'm seeking; I get a fair few exemptions towards it; and it appears to be the most cost-effective of the chartered qualifications.
3. I have. They were unwilling to let me spend some time with another part of the tax team (the knowledge I would've gained from this would've been critical to the performance of my role). They certainly wouldn't have entertained a secondment with the accounts team.
My answers
Hello. Thank you all for the advice. Thought I'd provide an update. I recently received and accepted an offer of a job as an assistant management accountant with a public sector body. They've placed me on a CIMA apprenticeship & I even received a payrise. It all worked out in the end. Thanks again!
Thank you so much for the advice. I considered this, but I was concerned as to whether it would allow me to overcome the experience issue. Could employers respond favourably to someone who's completed the AAT but is lacking in terms of direct accounts experience? Thanks again.
1. I accept this, but leaving was the right decision for me. I was quite unhappy with the role from the outset, but decided to give it six months before making any decisions. I am happy to discuss my reasons with recruiters/hiring managers, and have accepted that it may preclude me from some roles.
2. I failed my last exam (Law) because, frankly, I was quite miserable with my position & I couldn't bring myself to do the revision after work. I scored high marks in four of the five exams I passed, I have a strong higher education record, and I am confident that I can pass the exams associated with any professional qualifications. I am leaning towards CIMA because it's related to the role I'm seeking; I get a fair few exemptions towards it; and it appears to be the most cost-effective of the chartered qualifications.
3. I have. They were unwilling to let me spend some time with another part of the tax team (the knowledge I would've gained from this would've been critical to the performance of my role). They certainly wouldn't have entertained a secondment with the accounts team.