Becoming an Accountant

Traditional Education

A-Level or equivalent: Start by completing your A-levels or an equivalent qualification, with a focus on subjects like mathematics, economics, business studies, or accounting.

Pursue a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. A common choice is a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting and Finance. This typically takes three years to complete.

Alternatives to Traditional Education

For those who do not wish to attend University, there are a number of alternative routes to becoming an accountant.

Apprenticeships and employer qualification sponsorship

In the UK, apprenticeships are available for aspiring accountants. You can work for an employer while studying towards your professional accounting qualification. These apprenticeships often combine on-the-job training and education.

Online Courses and MOOCs

There are numerous online courses and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) that can help you acquire accounting knowledge and skills. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer courses in accounting and finance. While these courses may not lead to a professional qualification on their own, they can be a valuable source of knowledge and skills.

Practical Experience and Self-Study

In some cases, you can gain experience in entry-level accounting positions and work your way up through on-the-job learning and self-study. While this path may take longer and limit your career prospects, it's possible to build a career in accounting with dedication and continuous learning.

Advancing through the AAT syllabus offers an earlier entry point in accounting education through to fully qualified and is an excellent alternative to University.

How are Accounting Qualifications different?

Knowing which qualification to pursue is a serious consideration. To help you decide which qualifications best meet your career goals, we take a more detailed look at what each course entails

To become fully qualified with most professional bodies you are usually required to complete a period of practical work experience, often referred to as a training contract or work experience requirement. This allows you to apply your academic knowledge in a real-world accounting setting. The typical time to complete each course is 4-5 years, but this also depends on the amount of study time allocated. Most courses offer flexible learning to meet your work obligations and chosen pace of study.