Tax Qualifications

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Discussion

bigbaddom

Original Poster:

505 posts

241 months

Sunday 30th January 2005
quotequote all
Hi im considering doing a CTA
Has anybody done one of these courses?
I have had a look at people who provide these course and was going to go the home study route from BPP.
Does anybody know this of this orginisation?
I am looking at doing either 2b personal tax or 2c Coporate tax, does anybody have any ideas as to wether this is a deciding factor in employment or if they would just look at your overall mark.
I am more interested in 2b, however think that most employers may prefer 2c. Your thoughts?
Can anyone tell me how long these qualifications should take? I plan to study 20-25 hours a week.
The reason I am considering doing this, is that I am about to graduate from my mechanical engineering degree. I am hoping for a first as this is what I achieved last year, however maybe a 2.1 is more realistic. I applied for some jobs in accountancy firms and was unsuccessful. I know that this is a difficult sector to enter, however I think that I was rejected due to my disappointing A-level results.
Do you think that this will increase my chances of employment, or will they still take one look at my a-levels and reject me?
Thanks in advance.
Dom

bigbaddom

Original Poster:

505 posts

241 months

Sunday 30th January 2005
quotequote all
Sorry one last question.
Does anybody know of the entry requirements. Couldnt find any anywhere.
Also, do people advise me to sit the course whilst working? will I find them to challenging with no tax experience?
Dom

Eric Mc

122,858 posts

272 months

Sunday 30th January 2005
quotequote all
CTA (Chartered Tax Advisor) is the new name for what used to be called ATII Associate of the Institute of Taxation. There is no doubt that either of the two streams (corporate or business) would provide you with a very saleable qualification However, the qualification is extremely difficult because there is such a huge anount to learn.

There is a lesser qualification called ATT (Association of Taxation Technicians) which is co-sponsored by the CTA and can be used as a stepping stone to the full CTA qualification.

bigbaddom

Original Poster:

505 posts

241 months

Sunday 30th January 2005
quotequote all
Thanks Eric, I've just looked into ATT courses offered. I didnt really know about the qualifications so I looked at what the jobs asked for, and most asked for CTA. So thats what I looked up. However the ATT may be a better starting point. Thanks
I notice from other threads that you are a tax advisor.
I was wondering if you wouldnt mind telling me what qualifications you attained on the way, and a) how long they took b) if you were employed at the time, and if you had the luxury of being able to study them full time rather than part time what you would have chosen.
Also do you know of anywhere that may give an indication of hours of study x course or module.
I was also thinking of doing the Financial Planning Certificate with CII. Do you know anything about this course? Is it worthwhile as an addition the the ATT or CTA.
Thanks,
Dom

>> Edited by bigbaddom on Sunday 30th January 17:31

Eric Mc

122,858 posts

272 months

Sunday 30th January 2005
quotequote all
My qualifications were obtained many years ago now. I qualified as an Irish accountant with an Irish only institute back in 1980 after four years as an "Articled Clerk" (1976 to 1980). I studied for and passed my ATT exams back in 1990. I qualified as an ACCA in 1993 having received some exemptions because of the previous qualifications.

Things have moved on in the profession since then so I can't really comment on the best way forward today. I did all my studying whilst holding down full time jobs. As an articled clerk it was expected that you studied and passed your exams. Failure to pass meant you would get slung out on your ear so that was a good incentive to keep plugging away.

Most trainee accountants these days start off having already obtained a degree - although not always in a financial type subject. I've worked with music, science and geology graduates. As I didn't have a degree when I started because it wasn't the norm back then.

It did mean I started early and was qualified by the time I was 22.

bigbaddom

Original Poster:

505 posts

241 months

Sunday 30th January 2005
quotequote all
Umm maybe I should have a look at more of the accountancy exams as that may give me a broader qualification. I would love to have a job whilst studying for these exams, however my a-levels ristrict this. I only achieved 19 UCAS points (if that means anything to anyone) and that was from four a-levels and one as level. This is mainly due to the fact that I studied in Milan and decided that it would be much more fun to not do any work and just see the sights and party the whole time. Whereas now I realise the failure in my ways and have studied hard for my degree. Just wish I could do things slighty different.
Thanks for your help Eric.
Dom