AITI exams after ACCA Qualification

DJ69

Hi,

I know this subject has been talked about before (& has probably been discussed at length, apologises I am new to this) but I am looking to get information on the AITI exams. I am an ACCA qualified accountant & I am considering taking on the tax exams.

Firstly, has anyone out there sat both the ACCA exams & the AITI exams? If so what was/is your assessment of the AITI exams Vs. the ACCA exams, as regards, difficulty, lectures, getting through them, etc. (I know this is a very subjective question, but any opinions would be welcome!)

Secondly, I would like to pursue the AITI exams in a tax department in a large practice, (preferably big 4). Have any ACCA qualified accountants made the jump from small practice to Big 4 to pursue the tax exams & if so, did you have to go back to 'Trainee' status? (in terms of level of entry & salary)? - something I really don't want do!

Any opinions on the above would be appreciated! Once again apologises as I know this subject probably has been discussed before, but I just want to get information for my own circumstances.

Thanks.

Shane732

DJ69 wrote: »

Hi,

I know this subject has been talked about before (& has probably been discussed at length, apologises I am new to this) but I am looking to get information on the AITI exams. I am an ACCA qualified accountant & I am considering taking on the tax exams.

Firstly, has anyone out there sat both the ACCA exams & the AITI exams? If so what was/is your assessment of the AITI exams Vs. the ACCA exams, as regards, difficulty, lectures, getting through them, etc. (I know this is a very subjective question, but any opinions would be welcome!)

Secondly, I would like to pursue the AITI exams in a tax department in a large practice, (preferably big 4). Have any ACCA qualified accountants made the jump from small practice to Big 4 to pursue the tax exams & if so, did you have to go back to 'Trainee' status? (in terms of level of entry & salary)? - something I really don't want do!

Any opinions on the above would be appreciated! Once again apologises as I know this subject probably has been discussed before, but I just want to get information for my own circumstances.

Thanks.

Ohhh there's lots of colours in that post!

Anyway, as regards the difficulty of the AITI the general consensus seems to be that the AITI exams are tougher than the accountancy equivalent (be it ACA or ACCA etc...). Personally, I was lucky enough to be working in a tax department where I was exposure to the topics coming up in the exams. This really did help from an exam point of view. If you're dealing with similar queries on a regular basis then it makes the exams much easier. I'm AITI + ACA route myself, having done the AITI exams first.

Have you any tax experience at present? I think the level you'd go into a big 4 firm really depends on the experience you have in the area. Personally I've looked at big 4 in the past and decided against it. The reason I didn't opt for big 4 is because I want to be part of firm growing in size and build something capable of challenging the big 4 - I'm coming for you PwC!! I currently work in a top 10/15 firm.

DJ69

Shane 732,

I have experience of Corp Tax & Income Tax. Income Tax work usually in the months of September/October (before the deadline) & corp tax throughout the year when audits are finalised. I dont know though if this experience would stand to me in a big 4 job application. Getting into a big 4 would be an ambitionof mine but more realistically I think I would stand a better shot a getting into a the mid tier firms (Grant Thornton, BDO, Mazars, etc.). To be honest the quality of work in these firmsis similar to that of the big 4, I think!!

Do you know of anyone that has made the leap from small firm to Big 4? How do you find the work in a top ten firm?

I dont how my first post got so colourful!

Shane732

DJ69 wrote: »

Shane 732,

I have experience of Corp Tax & Income Tax. Income Tax work usually in the months of September/October (before the deadline) & corp tax throughout the year when audits are finalised. I dont know though if this experience would stand to me in a big 4 job application. Getting into a big 4 would be an ambitionof mine but more realistically I think I would stand a better shot a getting into a the mid tier firms (Grant Thornton, BDO, Mazars, etc.). To be honest the quality of work in these firmsis similar to that of the big 4, I think!!

Do you know of anyone that has made the leap from small firm to Big 4? How do you find the work in a top ten firm?

I dont how my first post got so colourful!

My understanding of GT's recruitment policy is that they are really only looking for ex big 4 experienced candidates and in particular ex-KPMG. One of the tax partners is ex-KPMG and thus leans towards hiring ex-KPMG staff. Also GT are basically big 4 at this stage. It's only a matter of time until they overtake E&Y.

BDO largely have a recruitment freeze on at present for experienced candidates.

Mazars have AM roles at the moment but you don't appear to have the experience required.

IMO I'd say you'd be better looking at Crowe Horwath, Baker Tilly, Moore Stephens Nathans, Smith & Williamson Freaney or FSG.

I know Crowe Horwath and Smith & Williamson Freaney are currently looking for seniors.

Don't get too hung up a Big 4.

There's a line in your poster re the quality of work in Big 4 firms and similar firms. Believe me if you are good then you'll progress to a senior/AM level in a smaller firm quicker than a Big 4 firm. You have to do your time in the Big 4 firms before you move up the ranks. You will have a much more diversified client based in a mid tier firm.