Accountancy qualification for non accountant
Discussion
Hello,
I am contemplating undertaking an accountancy qualification to provide a foundation for the work I am currently doing - regional management - analysing and interpreting KPI's , management accounts, some IT financial database stuff etc etc.
I am not looking to become an accountant as in my line of work I am not tasked to provide accountancy advice, it just helps to have a financial underpining and would be a 'hard' skill I could trade with in the employment market.
I have a business degree and a masters in IT so I am looking for advice as to which would be the best qualification to go for. I think it would be AAT and I can jump straight in at level 3 diploma, but is this qualification any use? I could go on and do level 4, or maybe do CIMA, which would probably be the most relevant but I am uncertain as to whether my non professional accountancy experience would bar me from obtaining that qualification?
Is there any one there who could advise, maybe someone has been in a similar situation. This is mostly about professional development for me and I need to be certain I chose the right qualification/that qualification has currency in the market place. Industry I am in is the Motor Industry working for a VM.
I am contemplating undertaking an accountancy qualification to provide a foundation for the work I am currently doing - regional management - analysing and interpreting KPI's , management accounts, some IT financial database stuff etc etc.
I am not looking to become an accountant as in my line of work I am not tasked to provide accountancy advice, it just helps to have a financial underpining and would be a 'hard' skill I could trade with in the employment market.
I have a business degree and a masters in IT so I am looking for advice as to which would be the best qualification to go for. I think it would be AAT and I can jump straight in at level 3 diploma, but is this qualification any use? I could go on and do level 4, or maybe do CIMA, which would probably be the most relevant but I am uncertain as to whether my non professional accountancy experience would bar me from obtaining that qualification?
Is there any one there who could advise, maybe someone has been in a similar situation. This is mostly about professional development for me and I need to be certain I chose the right qualification/that qualification has currency in the market place. Industry I am in is the Motor Industry working for a VM.
AAT covers the basics of accounting, transaction recording etc. Completing this course does not mean you are an accountant. I suppose AAT is a bit like a HND?!
ACCA is very technical and for auditors and other type of bean accountants.
CIMA is more strategic in approach and will in my opinion compliment what you are currently doing in your job.
I may seem bias as I am a CIMA qualified chap but I hope my response is objective in approach.
ACCA is very technical and for auditors and other type of bean accountants.
CIMA is more strategic in approach and will in my opinion compliment what you are currently doing in your job.
I may seem bias as I am a CIMA qualified chap but I hope my response is objective in approach.
thanks for the info, would I be eligible for a CIMA qually? Don't I have to be working as an accountant or in an accountancy practice to be able to get one?
The finanical analysis of my job accounts for a about 30% of my overall time, and I would not say that it would be classified as 'management accounts' in as much as the reports I use are KPI and sales driven focusing on very specific areas of the business. e.g stock turn, FTP, ROCE, overhead absorption etc.etc. I certainly wouldn't be getting involved in the business's overall bottom line, or wage cost, or fixed/variable expenses etc.
In summary do I have to be working with proper accounts to do CIMA? Or would the slightly fudged experience in and around accounts and previous quals be ok?
The finanical analysis of my job accounts for a about 30% of my overall time, and I would not say that it would be classified as 'management accounts' in as much as the reports I use are KPI and sales driven focusing on very specific areas of the business. e.g stock turn, FTP, ROCE, overhead absorption etc.etc. I certainly wouldn't be getting involved in the business's overall bottom line, or wage cost, or fixed/variable expenses etc.
In summary do I have to be working with proper accounts to do CIMA? Or would the slightly fudged experience in and around accounts and previous quals be ok?
I am CIMA qualified...
IS IT WORTH IT? Maybe....
But IMHO the qual organisations are looking at higher quantity at the risk of diluting the qualifications.
In particular CIMA who seem to be looking to increase exam sittings and allow all and sundry to become qualified. And still thinks its acceptable to keep increasing subscription fees!
I'll make no bones about it. The exams are hard and the pay is "ok"..
Then again, I got hammered with my CFO last Friday. The guy started as an 8 week temp in my current company around 10 years ago. He has no degree and is CIMA qualified and heads finance across Europe for a multi-billion dollar company,..
Its all about differentiating yourself from the pack.
IS IT WORTH IT? Maybe....
But IMHO the qual organisations are looking at higher quantity at the risk of diluting the qualifications.
In particular CIMA who seem to be looking to increase exam sittings and allow all and sundry to become qualified. And still thinks its acceptable to keep increasing subscription fees!
I'll make no bones about it. The exams are hard and the pay is "ok"..
Then again, I got hammered with my CFO last Friday. The guy started as an 8 week temp in my current company around 10 years ago. He has no degree and is CIMA qualified and heads finance across Europe for a multi-billion dollar company,..
Its all about differentiating yourself from the pack.
Jerry Can said:
thanks for the info, would I be eligible for a CIMA qually? Don't I have to be working as an accountant or in an accountancy practice to be able to get one?
The finanical analysis of my job accounts for a about 30% of my overall time, and I would not say that it would be classified as 'management accounts' in as much as the reports I use are KPI and sales driven focusing on very specific areas of the business. e.g stock turn, FTP, ROCE, overhead absorption etc.etc. I certainly wouldn't be getting involved in the business's overall bottom line, or wage cost, or fixed/variable expenses etc.
In summary do I have to be working with proper accounts to do CIMA? Or would the slightly fudged experience in and around accounts and previous quals be ok?
Hiya, I have to agree with Tyson. Cima are trying to push as many students as they can. It's certainly annoying for me. The finanical analysis of my job accounts for a about 30% of my overall time, and I would not say that it would be classified as 'management accounts' in as much as the reports I use are KPI and sales driven focusing on very specific areas of the business. e.g stock turn, FTP, ROCE, overhead absorption etc.etc. I certainly wouldn't be getting involved in the business's overall bottom line, or wage cost, or fixed/variable expenses etc.
In summary do I have to be working with proper accounts to do CIMA? Or would the slightly fudged experience in and around accounts and previous quals be ok?
Anyway, I think your experience will be enough to pass the work experience requirements.
Email me if you want to discuss. I am happy to discuss matters on the phone too.
Regards,
Lp.
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