There are some careers that just have flexibility written all over it, and at motherswhowork.co.uk, we love the flexibility that accountancy can give to mothers.
Whether you work for an employer flexibly, or establish your own business , accountancy can give you the flexibility you need to raise a family, and you can choose just how high you choose to climb the ladder corporately or commercially.
If you have a head for numbers, are organised and can time manage with your eyes closed, you have the natural skills that any good accountant should have. There are many opportunities to work in different areas of accountancy, which are open to people of all ages and backgrounds.
But it’s not all about figures – these days accountant provide business advice and development to clients, and provide some elements of business and financial management and consultancy, so you can really mix things up or choose the area that interests you the most.
Getting qualified
Your training will normally be a mixture of learning on the job and studying for qualifications from various bodies, one being the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA).
The AAT Accounting Qualification has three levels:
– Level 2 Certificate
– Level 3 Diploma
– Level 4 Diploma.
Instead of exams, you will take a series of computer-based assessments that reflect practical workplace tasks. You can study for the AAT full-time or flexibly (part time, distance learning etc) at colleges or training centres, or in the workplace if they provide the training in-house.
Each level counts as a qualification in its own right, and completing all three levels leads to the full AAT Accounting Qualification. This new qualification structure replaces the previous college-based Diploma and work-based NVQ routes.
For full membership of the AAT, you must pass all three stages of the qualification, and have at least a year’s approved work experience. You can find more details on the AAT’s website.
