A-Levels

[fiona611]

I am interested in Accountancy when im older, im currently doing my GCSEs. Should i be taking Economics or Business Studies?

Im doing Maths, History and Art too.

[chazza]

I dont think it is really important that early on in your education. The only accountants that I know (who both have their own firms) studied something completely different at uni and went on to train in accountancy after graduating. One did law and one did geography.

I considered accountancy too and their advice to me was go to uni, study what you are intereste in or good at and then do your training afterwards

[Miss-taken]

Hiya

I consider myself a bit of an expert on this subject as not only am I an accountant but I also trained in the best way possible!

I have never studied either economics or business studies and I failed all of my A-Level apart from one (Food Science) - the mistakes we make when we're young! ( I'm only 26 now mind you!)

After A-Levels I got a trainee accountant position with a small firm of local accountants where I studied with the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians). After I qualified I joined a big international firm of accountants where I studied with the ACCA (all paid for by them). I now work for a big local charity as their financial accountant. Throughout all this training and exam taking I've been paid a salary and have no student loans - yay! Many people think you need a degree or some kind to be an accountant but you don't and I can honestly say some of the best accountants I've worked with never went to uni just like myself. I can also say that some of the worst trainees I've worked with were graduates proving to me that having a degree does not mean a person is clever, good at their job or possess any common sense!

I don't think schools really encourage options other university but you should definitely consider the other options available - uni isn't the be all and end all. Many of my friends who did go to uni now say they regret it and wish they had done what I did!

HTH

Missy

PS: Don't be thinking accountants earn loads of money - its an urban myth that isn't true!

[Alastair77]

I agree with chazza.

It is too early in your education to decide on what courses would suit you best.

Future employers will look at a well rounded education and the university will go on the grades that you acheive at A level.

My friend did A level Maths, History, and Chemistry and now works for Baker Tilly.

So best to choose what you like to do now and decide late rin the future!

[Cheekystar]

If you can look in the Brain Heap's which course guide book (your careers library at school should have one, if not your loca careers / connexions centre)

It has in the book each course and what subjects each university want and the points needed.