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Were you an Acc Tech & went onto ACA or ACCA/CPA ?

  • 24-04-2013 9:36pm
    #1
    Aurellia
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86 ✭✭


    I'm due to finish my 2nd year accounting technician exams in May, and I work p/t around classes in a three partner practice too. They are asking me if I've thought about and/or decided to go on to further study.

    One is a CPA, other two are ACA , so their advice/ view are very different.

    I understand Certified are easier, and Chartered more respected & also worldwide recognised, but thats not a reason for going there, as I won't (Hopefully) ever have to leave.

    So I'm asking you where you went and why? And how you found it. Also if you just worked with ur MIATI and left it a few years to go on, or perhaps never did.

    Thanks :)


Comments

  • #2
    smcgiff
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,943 ✭✭✭smcgiff


    If two partners are ACA, then I'm guessing it's a CAI practice. In that case I'd suggest you go with ACA.

    I started off with AAT - but I was never going to just leave it at that and I'm sorry I did it that way (hindsight 20/20).


  • #3
    Mickiemcfist
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,585 ✭✭✭Mickiemcfist


    smcgiff wrote: »
    If two partners are ACA, then I'm guessing it's a CAI practice. In that case I'd suggest you go with ACA.

    I started off with AAT - but I was never going to just leave it at that and I'm sorry I did it that way (hindsight 20/20).

    Why the regret? the time it took or did it have a negative influence on your career?


  • #4
    smcgiff
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,943 ✭✭✭smcgiff


    Nope - no impact on career - good or bad. It added a year of extra study.


  • #5
    conor1979
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 193 ✭✭conor1979


    Aurellia wrote: »
    I'm due to finish my 2nd year accounting technician exams in May, and I work p/t around classes in a three partner practice too. They are asking me if I've thought about and/or decided to go on to further study.

    One is a CPA, other two are ACA , so their advice/ view are very different.

    I understand Certified are easier, and Chartered more respected & also worldwide recognised, but thats not a reason for going there, as I won't (Hopefully) ever have to leave.

    So I'm asking you where you went and why? And how you found it. Also if you just worked with ur MIATI and left it a few years to go on, or perhaps never did.

    Thanks :)

    Hi Aurellia

    I finished Acc Tech a couple of years ago and continued on studying with Chartered Accountants. What really made my mind up to study with them was the exemptions I got in first year.

    If you do study ACA you will be surprised at how similar everything is structured in the same way as ATI. I think ATI design there syllabus and support based on ACA. To me first year in ACA really felt like third year in ATI they were so similar.

    I am now in CAP2 and a lot of what I am doing now was covered in ATI to a degree which is great as there are no real big surprises!

    As for the bolded parts in your post, I think this might be the perception in public but I personally dont think it is true. Yes ACA is very difficult but I have worked under Chartered Accountants and my current boss is CPA and I see no difference what so ever.
    At the end of the day they are all accountants!!!!

    If you have any questions feel free to pm me.

    Conor


  • #6
    Aurellia
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86 ✭✭Aurellia


    If you have any questions feel free to pm me.

    Conor[/QUOTE]

    Will do , thank you .


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  • #7
    Aurellia
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86 ✭✭Aurellia


    If you have any questions feel free to pm me.

    Conor[/quote]

    Hi Conor.

    I went with ACA!! I'll pm u some q if that's still ok?


  • #8
    conor1979
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 193 ✭✭conor1979


    Hi Conor.

    I went with ACA!! I'll pm u some q if that's still ok?[/QUOTE]

    Hi Aurellia,

    The offer still stands. Any questions just fire away.


  • #9
    aca101
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭aca101


    I think you'd definitely be better off going with CPA. I think the ACA exams would be a bridge too far for the majority of accounting technicians, no offence intended but as exams go they're extremely difficult. You don't want to end up repeating year after year especially as you already have a few years of exams behind you.

    CPA is definitely a far more achievable albeit much less prestigious qualification. In terms of quality of course ACA is a much more highly regarded and comes with greater employment prospects but I'd go for CPA if I were you. Just my 2c.


  • #10
    conor1979
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 193 ✭✭conor1979


    aca101 wrote: »
    I think you'd definitely be better off going with CPA. I think the ACA exams would be a bridge too far for the majority of accounting technicians, no offence intended but as exams go they're extremely difficult. You don't want to end up repeating year after year especially as you already have a few years of exams behind you.

    CPA is definitely a far more achievable albeit much less prestigious qualification. In terms of quality of course ACA is a much more highly regarded and comes with greater employment prospects but I'd go for CPA if I were you. Just my 2c.

    Completely disagree with the statement in bold. It all depends on the person, not their previous education. I did ATI and haven't had to repeat an exam (yet), FAE's next. Three others from my class in ATI are doing ACA with me and none of them have repeated anything yet either.

    If you do well in ATI and have a good grasp of the subjects then ACA is not a major hurdle to get over.


  • #11
    aca101
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭aca101


    conor1979 wrote: »
    Completely disagree with the statement in bold. It all depends on the person, not their previous education. I did ATI and haven't had to repeat an exam (yet), FAE's next. Three others from my class in ATI are doing ACA with me and none of them have repeated anything yet either.

    If you do well in ATI and have a good grasp of the subjects then ACA is not a major hurdle to get over.

    Fair play, but I'd imagine you're the exception rather than the rule. Not wishing to offend anyone but realistically the ACA exams are out of grasp for most accounting technicians, just a different level of academic ability required simple as that.


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  • #12
    GAC999
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26 ✭GAC999


    aca101 wrote: »
    Fair play, but I'd imagine you're the exception rather than the rule. Not wishing to offend anyone but realistically the ACA exams are out of grasp for most accounting technicians, just a different level of academic ability required simple as that.

    I also don't agree with that, it's all on the individual to be honest. I did accounting technician, joined 3rd year of a college course, got a top degree and joined one of the big 4. Realistically it all depends on the person how they think they will be able to handle the exams, which study options suit them best. Personally I think ACA would be best option as it may open more doors but ACCA and CPA or CIMA would be good too.


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