How to become an Accountant (UK)?
well with your degree in accounting, you have modules that are exempt so you don’t have to study for it in your final qualifcation since there’s no point doing the same thing twice. You are a financial accountant if you can understand and fully appreciate the debate fo ‘true and fair view’ and all the legal stuff. You are a management accountant if you enjoy helping the company make the most profit as possible. You secure training by geting employed with an accounting firm (be it a major firm or a local firm) or an employer who hires accountants in their business e.g. NHS. Depending who you will choose, you will get the type of qualification chosen for you (you don’t get to choose which qualification you take once you are employed). Ideally you will have at least 3 Bs at A level or equivallent (prefably As) ACA offers a higher signal than an ACCA. ACA is for financial accountants. ACA is limited to the UK, whereas ACCA allows you to be recognised abroad. CIMA is for management accounta
The best thing to do is apply for an apprenticship at a local accounting firm. You will get time off for training and of course on the job training. It is pretty minimum wage stuff though. Alternatively you could find a better paying job and then take the AAT courses at night. They will take 3 years but give you an internationally recognised qualification that you can probably find a better paid job with training at an accountants. You need to do ACCA/ACA as CIMA is just for Management Accountants and does not make you a Chartered or Certified Accountant.
