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Special Feature – archive

A flexible training in accountancy

The AAT Accounting Qualification

Are you thinking of training or retraining to allow yourself to get back to work in a decent career where you will be in demand for your skills? Perhaps you have not considered a career in accountancy because you think your maths skills not up to the job? The good news is that you may be more suited to it that you thought. If you are a single parent you are already in charge of family finances; and for mums in a relationship, a recent survey has revealed that over 68% of women tend to manage the ‘everyday’ household expenses, compared to just 26% of men.

The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), who commissioned the survey, has developed flexible learning options to fit around family life. The AAT, the leading qualification and membership body for accounting staff, identified this trend for mums to be the ones in charge of balancing the books and is keen to attract 125,000 mums over the coming two years into the accountancy profession.

One mum’s experience

After the birth of her baby girl, Amanda Reeve knew she had more than just herself to look after and began to search for a career that would provide a stable income for her family. She recognised that the quickest way to achieve her dream was to gain a respected qualification and, at 22 years of age, began to study with AAT. She now looks back on her decision as one of the best of her life.

Amanda completed her foundation and intermediate AAT qualifications just 18 months later, and now works as an accounts assistant for Kingsway Tyres, where she holds responsibility for credit control, cash allocation, daily report writing and account management. She is currently thriving off the ‘new and exciting challenges that each day brings’ and feels that her AAT qualification has given her more self-esteem and confidence about her abilities, both within and outside the working environment.

A recognised alternative to a university degree

The AAT Accounting Qualification gives you the relevant and practical skills to do a wide range of accounting and finance jobs. The course is extremely flexible and is open to all, no matter what your age or previous experience. The qualification is a recognised alternative to a university degree and, if you are aiming high, it provides a well-established route to all the UK’s senior accountancy qualifications.

Jane Scott Paul, Chief Executive of the AAT, says:

‘Knowledge gathered by those managing household expenses gives many mums a head start with accountancy skills which can be readily transferred in to the workplace. Now the next time you are doling out the children’s pocket money, think you could be controlling millions of pounds for an international company.’

To find out more about the AAT qualification visit www.aat.org.uk/career or call 020 7415 7666.