5 Benefits of Completing the AAT Qualification

[@EyBici]

Hi Will, I wanted to get your opinion on something. I'm currently based in Dubai and have about 15 years of experience in administrative roles, where I've also been involved in some bookkeeping, accounting, and financial reporting tasks. Recently, I decided to redirect my career towards accountancy, so I started studying for the ACCA qualification and have completed 5 out of the 13 papers. While pursuing ACCA, I want to build a strong foundation in accounting by applying to bookkeeping roles or accounting assistant positions. I've noticed that many hiring managers in the UK look for candidates with AAT qualifications, and I understand that I could potentially become an AAT member while continuing with ACCA. My question is: Do you think obtaining an AAT qualification will significantly boost my chances of getting into the workforce in the UK from Dubai, given my background and current ACCA studies? Or is it unnecessary since I'm already on the ACCA path?

[@Willboardman]

Hi! I would say that your ACCA progress would put you in a great position and the need to do your AAT is unnecessary. You can put yourself as part-qualified anyway. The time you'd spend working through AAT would be better put towards completing your ACCA. The key is that work experience! I don't think if you've already got experience in accounting, bookkeeping and financial reporting that you'll struggle to find a job. Now I'm definitely no expert in terms of rights to work within the UK if you have a Dubai residency rather than UK but hopefully if you can get that sorted there should be no issues with you finding employment with your experience and current qualifications.

[@jamesm.9285]

Thanks Will! The perspectives here are helpful motivatores. I've just had my AATQB registration approved and am close to finishing Level 3. Finding work experience and entry-level opportunities in accounting is extremely tough. Is it completely unadvisable to start a self-employed bookkeeping business?

[@Willboardman]

Great to hear you’re doing well, keep pushing forward. Keep applying for jobs too. If setting up by yourself is something you’re interested in have a Google of the 6 figure bookkeeper and have a look at what they have to offer

[@jamesm.9285]

@@Willboardman, thank you! :) I most certainly will take a look at that. Applying at this stage sometimes seems like a volume game, but 95% of positions require years of experience even at "entry level", and so it's really a treasure hunt disguised as a volume game. 😂

[@petermason664]

Hey Will! Is AAT level 4 qualification equivalent of an hons/Bachelors degree? Thank you for your informative contents!

[@Willboardman]

Hi! It isn’t no, a bachelors degree is a level 6 qualification :). If you were looking to take your qualifications further I’d recommend completing AAT and then going on to complete a chartered qualification.

[@danielx1673]

Hi will, I am currently studying my level 3 but am not considering my level 4 for a while. Does a level 3 still allow me to stand out in the job market? Keep up the great content by the way 👍🏻

[@Willboardman]

It will certainly still help yes! Just be careful leaving it too long before completing level 4 because you need to remember what you’ve done at level 3 :)!

[@peacestephen6713]

Without experience, it becomes useless . No one wants to employ you without experience , Then how does one get the experience if no one is to employ you? Even charity organisations are looking for 2 to 3 years of experience