Beginning to study accountancy-help info needed

becks9999

Hi,

I am currently doing a full time degree in maths and human development. I am hoping to become a maths teacher but in these recessionary times I am thinking of other ways to supplement my future income should I not be able to secure a full time job.
I am thinking of studying accountancy at night or by distance learning with the intention of doing some work in accountancy on the side when I am qualified (self employed).
Having read a lot of posts on here, it seems that many of the courses require work experience. However as I am in college, I would not be in a position to do work experience.
Is there an evening or distance learning course that doesn't require me to do work with an accountancy firm?
Also if I don't wish to work with an accountancy firm is it neccessary for me to be registered with the ACCA or IATI?
Sorry for long post.
Thanks in advance for replies,

Becks.

themacdaddy

Hey Becks,

Well firstly if you want to advertise yourself as someone who is qualified etc you would need to be registered and qualified with a professional body like ACCA, CPA,IATI etc

You also need to have 3 years work experience now in order to gain the qualification with most bodies but I know for definite this is needed with ACCA.

Without meaning to be condescending studying to be an accountant while working is very tough. I know a lot of people under-estimate how hard it is (I know I did). Just be sure you have the appetite after you finish your current course to go back again and spend a few more years living in the books. If I am being honest I probably would not recommend you put yourself through all this just simply because it is not what you really want to do.

There may be other ways/avenues for you to gain a supplementary income which would not require as much effort. To be honest there a pro's and con's to every decision so really you just have to weigh it up and decide if it is for you.

If you do want to go down the accountancy route all the main colleges offer distant learning Griffith College, BPP & Independant.

I know Griffith put video lectures online for students which is very handy.

Hope some of this helps.

Macdaddy

J.Ryan

To join any RSB and then qualify for a Practicing Cert., will require experience.

To join any RSB and practice without a Practicing Cert. should result in disciplinary action (altho one body was recently disciplined by IAASA, (which seens to have been ignored here) for not following their own code).

kilburn

and who was that?

smcgiff

kilburn wrote: »

and who was that?

CAI - I saw an announcement in the paper a couple of weeks back - was going to post a comment, but lost the will to live half way through

kilburn

and what was the offence?
are they and iati the same crowd or just bed fellows?

smcgiff

becks9999 wrote: »

Hi,

I am currently doing a full time degree in maths and human development. I am hoping to become a maths teacher but in these recessionary times I am thinking of other ways to supplement my future income should I not be able to secure a full time job.

What do you mean by supplementary income - how much are you talking about?

I don't think accountancy - even at technician level - is best suited to a temporary career. It takes too long to get qualified for that. It's also a lowish enough paid profession in the early years as the real rewards come after qualification.

If you are excellent in maths you may want to consider becoming an actuary. Money is excellent from the off, but this too is a long term career/commitment and if an employer thought you were in it for the short term they wouldn't touch you.

Have you considered anything else?

smcgiff

kilburn wrote: »

and what was the offence?
are they and iati the same crowd or just bed fellows?

Don't remember exactly - J Ryan probably knows, and he's welcome to start a thread.

The IATI are directly linked to the CAI, but are separate organisations.

becks9999

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies.

I managed a small shop before college and got involved in the accounts side of things and enjoyed doing it. At the time, the accountant suggested that I look into taking up accountancy but I had my heart set on teaching.
However, I am unsure how that is going to work out now as I have since had a baby and was thinking that if I could study accountancy by night course or distance learning then perhaps I could do accounts for small businesses from home.
I'm not afraid of the workload and would consider possibly taking up accountancy full time in a few years time.
The work experience issue may be a problem if I do not decide to do accountancy full time after college so it may not be an option for me.
Just trying to explore all avenues!!

scouser82

becks9999 wrote: »

I am thinking of studying accountancy

Don't

kilburn

My two cents worth, hope it may help !
I started a business at a young age and had no college or university experience, so part time I did an evening course a Diploma in Business Studies. Did very well and pushed on to do the IATI Accounting Technician course part time. Just finished that and my only regret is that I didnt just do the accountancy part time instead of the technician course. So go for it but you have to put the time in !