subject: An Accountants Qualifications [print this page] The qualifications needed to be an Accountant vary depending on which route you take, and your previous experience. For those without GCSEs or A-Levels, a good start is to get qualified as a Certified Accounting Technician (CAT). This course will provide any budding Accountant with an excellent base from which to develop, and provides all of the knowledge and technical skill needed to perform an accounting support role. You dont actually need any academic qualifications at all to complete the CAT course, but previous qualifications may entitle you to be exempt from some of the modules or exams, ensuring you are not repeating any topic you have already learned.
From the CAT course, or straight away if you already have attained GCSEs and A-Levels to a good standard, you can apply to complete the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification. This qualification is very flexible, with full-time and part-time study options available, and on average takes around about three to four years to complete, some of which is spent in a practical, work experience position. The cost of completing the course also varies depending on where you study and for how long, but the associations website, http://www.accaglobal.com, carries a wealth of information on how to go about getting this world-renowned qualification, as well as many other financial-services qualifications.
It is also possible to gain an Accountancy qualification through completing a Diploma in Financial Management. This qualification is aimed at individuals in middle-management or senior roles within business who already have some financial responsibilities within their role. The aim of the Diploma is to help managers achieve a high-level of practical understanding on financial and accountancy matters, an understanding that will help them make better and more informed decisions within their businesses. The course can be completed in as little as one year, but there is no fixed period for learning, meaning that the course can be completed at your leisure.
