What the best way into accounting as a career?

Question

I know that I could study A-levels and get a degree or I could go straight to the ACCA and do my training there. What is the best way?

Answer 1

Find out as much as you can about the various types of accountancy qualifications and the work the accountants do. The library is probably a good starting point for this. Decide which qualification appeals to you the most then contact the appropriate governing body to find out how you can achieve that qualification. Then, take it from there.

Answer 2

If you are interested in training to become a chartered accountant through the ACCA scheme then I would suggest that the best course of action to take is to get yourself a job as a trainee accountant as soon as you have finished your A-levels.

The reason for this is that you will be gaining important work experience while studying and you will, of course, also be earning money. If you go to university then you will incur heavy debts and it will take you much longer to qualify.

I went to Kent University and studied Accountancy and Finance and even though I left with a 2.1 degree and obtained some exemptions from my ACCA exams it still took me 3 years to finish all 14 of the exams you need to pass in order to gain membership.

However, if you start work as a trainee accountant at the age of 18 you should be in a position to qualify as a chartered accountant after 4 years of study and therefore be fully ACCA qualified at the age of 22.

You can also gain a degree. This is because the ACCA has a partnership agreement with Oxford Brookes University which allows ACCA students to submit a 5,000 word essay to the university after they have completed the first two levels of their exams. If this essay is accepted as being up to standard by Oxford Brookes University then you will be awarded a BSc degree in Applied Accountancy by the university with your degree class being based on the results you have gained in your ACCA exams.

Given that your employer will probably be paying for your ACCA study and exams the cost of obtaining this degree to you will be the cost of submitting the essay to Oxford Brookes University. This will be less than £100 which is obviously much cheaper than it would cost you to study for a degree full time.

I hope this is of help. There are a couple of useful links that you might find useful below.

Answer 3

There are a couple of routes in. A degree in accounting is useful but still doesn't quite make you a qualified accountant, you still need either Chartered Accountancy or ACCA status for that.

Personally, I'd advise the ACCA route as it is connected to on-the-job training as well as the theoretical side. Therefore when you qualify you'll have an equivalent qualification to those who went the college route PLUS accountancy work experience.

Answer 4

actually it kinda depends on ur own capabilities.

ACCA is not an easy course as it is definitely more stressful than a degree course.

however, taking a degree course + a-levels would be longer than takin ACCA, provided u pass the ACCA exams every sitting.

ACCA can take anywhere from 2 n a half years to 10 years max. in fact, a lot of ppl i know dun finish their ACCA. they keep on resitting until they juz quit.

ACCA offers u a chance to obtain a degree from Oxford Brookes University, UK once u have completed ur part 2. all u have to do is do a research n analysis project on the topic of ur choice n a key skills statement.

a degree course would offer u the chance of truly enjoyin college n uni life. ACCA is too packed for u to really do that. so unless u really wish to graduate fast and work, i would advice u to take the a-levels + degree route. after which, u can still choose to take ur ACCA if u wan to. the amount of papers u can get exempted from depends on ur degree. u'll have to liase with ACCA about ur exemptions.

so in conclusion, it still depends on personal preference whether u prefer a stressful n quick way to accounting as a career or taking a slower but more scenic ride.

i still suggest goin to an ACCA tuition provider to find out more in depth details about the course n comparing it with ur a-levels + degree course. in general, taking ACCA is a relatively cheaper option than taking a degree course.

hope i helped !

all the best !

Answer 5

Getting a college degree is the best way to go. That way you will be able to utilitize your skills in any area of accounting, or any areas of business. An education is the best thing you can spend your money on.

Answer 6

Learn to shred documents first, Arthur Andersen style. They test it at interviews.

Answer 7

college